How to Give Clear Suggestions and Strong Recommendations Using Polite Language

Have you ever wanted to give a clear, strong suggestion to a friend, relative, or coworker, while still sounding tactful and polite? At times, we need to encourage or even urge other people to take action, but we don’t want to sound bossy, demanding, or like we’re ordering people around. I recommend that you keep watching to find out how to offer clear suggestions and make strong recommendations in American English. In this video, you’ll … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Don’t Let This Outdated Accent Advice Keep You From Speaking English – Your Ideas Matter!

If you’ve spent any time working on your accent, pronunciation, or voice in English, then you’ve come across a ton of advice. Go to just about any corner of the internet, and you’ll find videos, podcasts, articles, and message board discussions telling you exactly what you need to do to achieve your accent goals. If you’re like most people, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the information out there. How do you … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Dropped Sounds & Deleted Syllables – Why Entire Syllables Disappear from Words in American English

The words we’re going to talk about today aren’t especially interesting, but they probably sound different than you expect. We’ll focus on several words that you use almost every day, so that you feel more comfortable saying them naturally. Is what we’re discussing today still a mystery? Then grab a warm beverage, like hot chocolate, and let’s get started! In this video, you’ll learn 20 words in American English that have dropped, deleted, or disappearing … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Advanced Word Stress – Practice Contrast Between Stressed and Unstressed and Reduced Syllables

By now, you know the number one piece of accent advice I wish I could give every non-native speaker: stress your words clearly. Word stress helps you pronounce words accurately, and it helps other people identify and understand the word you’re saying. When we stress a word, we emphasize one syllable of this word by making the vowel sound longer, louder, and higher in pitch, with extra clear mouth movement. Stressing words consistently helps you … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Express Your Ideas Clearly – Organize Your Thoughts and Communicate Effectively in English

Let’s talk about four changes you can make to how you communicate in order to ensure that your message and your meaning are clear. These tips will encourage you to better express yourself using the language that you already have. Let’s get started! Identify Your Key Message The first thing you can do is identify your key message before every interaction. By key message, I mean the most important point, idea, or feeling you want … Read the article and watch the video lesson

Small Talk Topics and Questions 💬 Keep the Conversation Going in English

Imagine this: you’re having a casual conversation at a social gathering or networking event. You’ve introduced yourself and covered the basics. You want to keep chatting with this person, but you feel a bit stuck. What should you say next? In this video, you’ll learn how to ask better questions and keep the conversation going when making small talk in American English. We’ll talk about 17 neutral (but interesting!) topics of conversation so that you’re prepared … Read the article and watch the video lesson