Late last week, Fox News Latino announced that one of Adriana Lima's goals for 2012 was to work with an accent reduction coach to lose her accent. Rumors were flying that perhaps she is considering a new movie role. Perhaps she is. But maybe she's just tired of people thinking it sounds "cute" instead of taking her seriously. Or maybe she's tired of repeating herself and being noticed for her accent instead of for who she is. Her reasons may be very similar to yours. How would your life be different if you didn't have to worry about being misunderstood?

In honor of her New Year's Resolution, I'm going to give you something that will help you lose your accent. It is an audio recording of one of the sounds that Adriana Lima will probably work on if she does work with an accent reduction coach. Like many non-native speakers, she pronounces the short I as a long E, as in  I want to get rid of my accent. But, it sounds like  I want to get reed of my accent.

If you would like to get rid of your difficulty saying the short I sound, then download the American pronunciation audio below. This training is usually reserved for my personal clients, but today I want to share it with you absolutely free. And if you happen to know Adriana Lima, please pass it on to her with my compliments!

The Short I sound practice audio :

Download | Duration: 00:05:55

If you will listen and practice along with this audio daily, you will soon begin to lose your accent. And yes, you can share this American pronunciation training with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Just click on the Share button below and be sure to tell them it was from me. Thanks!

Was the audio helpful? Leave me a comment in the box below and tell me how it worked for you.

Can you imagine wandering around in the dark, without a light to help you see? Would you be excited when at last you found the light?

We have an American expression that says "there's a light at the end of the tunnel", which means that you can see a light shining in the darkness. You can see a way out of your current hard situation and you have hope that it will be over soon.

What do you suppose the person who wrote these words was thinking?

The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

I think it was more than just a sunrise. I think it was the beginning of a new way of life.

During this Christmas season, I wanted to take the time to share with you some traditions that you may not find in the stores full of presents and Santa Claus. There is another side to Christmas, and that is the birthday of Jesus, which is often celebrated during the period known as Advent.

Advent is a season of preparation, observed in many Christian churches for the four weeks before Christmas and finishing on Christmas Day, the day we celebrate Jesus' birth. An advent wreath is often used for decoration. This is a ring with 4 candles in it. One candle is lit each week as a church or family discusses the meaning of the theme that week. While different churches use the candles to represent different themes, we are going to talk about the very popular ones of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.



This week's theme is Hope, and the quote I shared above is from The Bible. This light refers to Jesus and the hope of a better life that He brings.

What brings you hope? Are you hoping for a special gift for Christmas?  Do you hope to make some changes in the New Year? Whatever your desire is, hope is a way of anticipating and looking forward to the changes that are to come.

Please tell me in the comment section below what YOU hope for.

I hope for each of you a joyous Holiday season with family and friends!

It was raining cats and dogs at my house yesterday!



Understanding idioms is an important part of mastering American English. Wouldn't you agree? After all, even perfect pronunciation can't help you if you have no idea what the other person means.

A powerful rainstorm yesterday knocked most of our beautiful leaves to the ground, and as I was looking at those fall leaves, I thought about some idioms and expressions that use the word leaf.

If you are quickly skimming through a book, you might say that you are leafing through it.

We leafed through several books looking for the right information.

Next spring, the trees will once again have tiny green leaves growing on them. Sometimes it seems as if they appear almost overnight. When the leaves appear, we say that the tree has leafed out.

The trees leafed out earlier this year, didn't they?

If you are scared or nervous about a certain situation, you might be shaking like a leaf.

I was so nervous about that job interview that I was shaking like a leaf.

On the other hand, if you have made a decision to change or improve the way you do something, you could say that you are turning over a new leaf.

No more smoking for me! I'm turning over a new leaf.







Some of you have decided to turn over a new leaf with your American pronunciation, haven't you?  Your old speech patterns just aren't working well enough and it's time to make a change.

Now is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf and get in some pronunciation practice before the holidays.

Just to see who is serious about turning over a new leaf, I will be following American tradition by offering a Black Friday special. For those of you who don't know what that is, it simply means a special sale offered only the day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday. I can't tell you all the details yet, but it will be a fully-downloadable home study product at a price that will knock your socks off ! (that's another idiom that means: you will be pleasantly surprised!)

So, be watching for an update next week. And if you're not on my email list, be sure to sign up in the box on the right where it says "Free Report". That way, you'll be among the first to know about the special when it's ready for you!

See you next week!

One of my favorite things about fall in East Tennessee is the beautiful leaves. My backyard seems aglow with bright yellows, oranges, and reds. It leaves me breathless to look out my window at the sun shining down on those leaves. I feel so blessed to experience such beauty every fall, and I thought you would enjoy a glimpse of it.



Even though I know that as the leaves turn colors, they are preparing to fall off of the trees, it doesn't diminish their beauty to me. It is really a sign of hope, because after the leaves fall off the tree and die, new leaves grow in their place the following spring.

I wanted to share some of that hope with you, and you know that one of the best ways to improve your American pronunciation is by listening closely to native speakers, right? That's why I wanted to share with you a recorded short story called The Last Leaf. Take a few minutes to listen to it, both for the literary enjoyment and for the clear American pronunciation that you will hear.

When you listen to this story, you will not only get listening and pronunciation practice, but you will also be encouraged to hold on to your hopes and dreams.

The Last Leaf

What is your "last leaf" - the thing that will make you hold on and try just a little bit longer?

If you are frustrated with your American pronunciation and feel like it just might not get any better, I want you to try something. Let me be like that last leaf for you, clinging tenaciously to life and giving hope when it is most needed.

Here's what I want you to do. Type in your most frustrating pronunciation problem in the comments below. I will do my best to offer a suggestion for each one listed AND I will use your requests to decide what needs to be included in my Christmas home study course.

What is the hardest challenge with American English for you - is it a particular vowel sound, stress patterns, intonation, or something else? Tell me about it in the comments box and I will hopefully be like that last leaf, offering you a suggestion to improve your speech and giving you the assurance to keep on trying.

After you leave your comment, share this post on Facebook and Twitter (click on the green share button below). Do you know what your friends struggle with the most in their American pronunciation? Let's find out and see if we can address their concerns right here.

You could be the last leaf for them. You can give them the hope and encouragement they need to give their pronunciation one more try. So, challenge me with your questions and then invite your friends to join us.

I'm looking forward to chatting with each of you!

A nightmare. 

Maybe you'll survive.

Sounds like someone had a pretty scary experience, doesn't it?

Did they just visit a Haunted House to enjoy a fright before Halloween? (Although why anyone enjoys being frightened, I don't really understand!)



No, this person was worried about something much spookier than a Haunted House. He was worried about giving a presentation at work. It's not because he doesn't know the material, because he is good at what he does.

It's because, as a non-native speaker, he has to speak English in front of hundreds of people, and he is concerned about his American pronunciation. He hasn't had much opportunity to improve his spoken English, so he's not sure the presentation will go well.

Have you felt that fear, too?  Your boss tells you that you must give a presentation and you feel that tingle on the back of your neck, your stomach flips around, and you break out in a cold sweat.

What if they don't understand me?
What if I pronounce important words wrong?
What if my presentation isn't clear enough?
What if I lose my job?

You know that you are smart enough and that you do your job well; that's not the problem. But speaking English in front of a roomful of people and hoping they understand you? Now that's something to be afraid of!

Or is it?

Wouldn't it be nice to feel confident the next time your boss asks you to give a presentation? It would be such a stress-reliever to know that you will be understood when you speak!

Did you know that one of the services I provide is coaching you one-on -one over Skype to prepare you for your next presentation?

We work on voice projection and pronunciation, focusing on your specific topic to be sure that you sound as clear and confident as possible. Giving a presentation doesn't have to be scary anymore!



But what if your next presentation is very soon and you don't have time to work with me right now?

Try these tips to improve your American pronunciation:

• Write out your presentation so that you can practice. Speaking unprepared is a great skill, but right now you want to focus on improving your pronunciation.
• Practice, practice, practice. Become very familiar with your topic so you can focus on the pronunciation of the words rather than the content.
• Open your mouth wide and over-enunciate your words. It may sound odd to you, but it will greatly improve how easily you are understood by others.
• Slow down. We all have a tendency to talk fast when we are nervous, but slowing down is one of the best ways to make sure that you pronounce your words clearly.
• Practice in front of a mirror. This will help you see if you are able to make good eye contact with your audience. Get comfortable watching yourself, and add facial expressions and gestures for emphasis when appropriate.
  
• Practice with a native speaker, if possible. Find someone who can listen to your presentation and point out obvious mispronunciations you can work on.
• Take a deep breath and think positively! The deep breath will help you relax and the positive thoughts will help you perform at your best. Research has shown that we usually perform about as well as we think we will, so the more positively you think, the better you will do.

Once the presentation is over, evaluate yourself fairly. Congratulate yourself on the things that went well, and make a note of the skills you want to improve for the next time.

Soon, you will see the stage not as a scary Haunted House, but as an exciting platform for you to share your brilliance!

Ready for some help preparing for your next presentation? The first step is to take your free accent screening.


If you found this article helpful, please share it with your friends by clicking on the button below. Thanks!

You're the apple of my eye. How do you feel when someone says that to you? Are you frightened, angered, or pleased?

You should be pleased, because if you are the apple of someone's eye, then they cherish or care deeply for you. They hold you in the center of their thoughts and want to please you and protect you.

But where did this idiom come from, and what is the apple of your eye?

The expression itself has been found as early as the ninth century, in the writings of King Alfred. At that time, the pupil of the eye was thought to be a solid round object. The apple was a very common round fruit, and because of the similar appearance, the center of the eye became known as the apple.

The word pupil is actually from Latin, appearing in English in about the sixteenth century. Even if you are not a Latin scholar, I think you'll find it interesting that the original Latin word was pupilla, meaning little doll. Why is this significant? Because the name pupil was used to label the little doll, or tiny image of yourself that you see when you look into the center of someone else's eye.

Since our sense of sight is very precious to us and in need of protection, calling someone the apple of my eye came to mean that the person was cherished and very precious to us. In fact, we would do almost anything for them because they are one of the most important things in our lives.

As the fall season approaches and apples are more readily available, I wanted to be sure that you were familiar with this idiom. Think of someone you care deeply for - maybe it is a spouse, a boyfriend or girlfriend, or a child. Is that person the apple of your eye? You would do almost anything for this person because you care for him or her so much. But have you told them how much you care?

Here is my challenge to you during this fall season. Each time you see an apple, I want you to use it as a trigger to remind you of this expression. Think of the apple of your eye, whoever it is. And, when you see an apple, I want you to tell that special person something that you love about him or her.  You may say, " You are the apple of my eye" or you may give them a specific example of something you love.

Use this opportunity to practice not only saying this expression, but showing that you mean it.

By the way, did you catch the pun in the picture above? If so, let me know in the comments below!

If you are having trouble pronouncing the word apple or other words in this expression, find out how you can get pronunciation classes for free.

It's back to school time and that means new school supplies, new teachers, and often new school rules. It can be frustrating for us and our kids when different teachers have different rules. Some are easy to remember and some can be more of a challenge, but following the rules is a key to a pleasant school experience.



Languages have their own set of rules, too, and failing to follow those rules can make communication frustrating and sometimes unsuccessful.  I find that my clients sometimes know more grammar rules of English than I do, but they have not been taught the American pronunciation rules that they need.

You can't follow a rule that you don't know about, right? So, today I decided to share with you three of the most common American pronunciation rules that are hard for non-native speakers. I'll show you the most common mistake or "rule-breaker" and then explain how to change it.

1. Saying an S sound instead of a Z sound

Many non-native speakers use an s sound for a z sound. S and Z use the exact same tongue and mouth shape; the difference is in the voicing. The S sound is produced without the voice, but the Z sound requires the voice. To feel the difference, put your hand on your throat and try saying S-s-s-s. You should not feel anything. Now try saying Z-z-z-z. You should feel a vibration in your throat. Practice saying words like Sue and zoo, and buzz and bus.

2. Using Long E and Short I interchangably

These two vowels are often substituted one for the other, but doing so can change the meaning of the word. The long E is made by pulling the lips back into a smile. This is the vowel in the sentence:  Meet me on Green Street. The short I, on the other hand, is made by keeping your tongue flat on the bottom of your mouth. Open it just a little and say " ih", as in Give the tip to him on the ship.

3. Saying a W instead of a V sound

The W sound is made by rounding the lips and saying "ooh-uh". This is the sound that begins words like water, where, and watch but this is NOT the sound we want to make when saying words like vacation or violin.  The V sound is made by lightly placing the top teeth on the lower lip, turning on the voice and blowing.  Practice each sound separately, then try saying: Victor's watch, winter vacation, and wash the vegetables.

Were those tips helpful? I'll be giving away American pronunciation tips like that and many more on my free webinar coming up in two weeks. Have you reserved your spot yet? Seats are going quickly, so reserve your space now.

Years of hard work...people calling you crazy......putting your life at risk.....trying to do something others said can't be done ….is it worth it? Apparently, Orville and Wilbur Wright thought so.

Today, August 19, we celebrate National Aviation Day in honor of the Wright brothers who got their first airplane to take flight in 1903. These brothers had a dream and they were determined to make it happen. They knew that if they studied hard enough, they could figure it out. Do you know what they studied?

Birds.

Birds fly effortlessly and without thought, masters of their craft. If you want to learn how to do something well, the best thing to do is to copy a master. So, the Wright brothers studied birds, the structure of their wings, and the way they flew, and applied these principles to their airplane wings.

If you want to do something well, find a master to learn from. If you want to learn to fly, study the birds. If you want to learn to ski, learn from professional skiers. And if you want to learn to speak English more clearly, learn it from a native speaker who knows how it sounds and how it works.

Sure, there is a risk involved in working on your pronunciation. You might make a mistake while learning a new sound; in fact, you probably will. Most people do. But is that a reason not to try?

And yes, a colleague might ask you to repeat yourself or laugh at you when the new word that sounded so good in class didn't come out right at all in conversation.

But, chances are, if you work hard, you will see improvement in your speech. You will speak English more clearly and others will understand you better. Your confidence will improve and you will begin to believe that you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

I want to partner with you as you take that risk and feel the thrill of accomplishment in your pronunciation skills.

And it all starts with a simple step. Click on the link below to reserve your space in my free webinar coming up on September 12.

http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E958DE85854B

Yes, that's right. A FREE webinar ! I'm taking away the risk for you. It's no cost and no obligation. All you have to do is show up and give it a try.

You will learn tips and techniques to improve your pronunciation and ideas for increasing your vocabulary. You will find out about common grammar pitfalls and why it is so important that you work on your accent now.

Imagine being able to say whatever you want, any time you want because you know you will be understood.  Doesn't that sound great?

It just takes a small risk – it's what I call “sign up and show up.” That's it. Reserve your space here and show up ready to learn.

http://www.anymeeting.com/PIID=E958DE85854B

If you're willing to take that risk, the rewards will be worth it; I promise! So don't wait to reserve your place; space is limited and I don't want you to miss out !

If you're excited about this opportunity to improve your pronunciation, please share it with your friends. Pass around the link on Facebook and Twitter, and let's see who is ready to take the risk to speak clearer English with confidence!

Nothing says summer like a big, juicy slice of cold watermelon! I think Mark Twain summed it up well when he said, “ When one has tasted watermelon, he knows what the angels eat.” It is a favorite American summer treat, found at almost any barbecue or cookout all summer long.

One of the reasons that a watermelon is such a refreshing treat on a hot day is because it is 90% water. And it tastes so much better than a plain glass of water!

You haven't heard from me much lately because I've been enjoying some time off with my family this summer. And yes, we've been eating lots of watermelon fresh from the farmer's market.

The beginning of August marks a time of transition for our family, as we enjoy the last days of summer and prepare ourselves for the new school year to begin. Believe it or not, my kids go back to school next week and that means that I'll be back with more regular postings and a great new surprise to start the fall season off with a bang.

Some of you joined me over the summer for some intensive pronunciation study while everything else in life had slowed down for a couple of months. Many of you, though, have had some well-earned down time over the summer and now you are ready to work on your  accent. Whether you're preparing to go back to school, looking for a job, or just want to communicate more easily with your friends, this is a great time to focus on your English skills. You will especially like what I have to share next week – a fun and painless way to ease back into practicing your American pronunciation! 

What have you done this summer to improve your pronunciation skills? In the comment box below, share the one thing that has helped you the most. I can't wait to see what you've learned!

If you haven't made the progress you had hoped for and you're looking for some guidance, be sure to request your free pronunciation guide in the box on the right side of the page.

Yesterday, I spent a glorious afternoon enjoying the first day of spring by working in the yard and planting the first vegetables of the year in my backyard garden. Unlike many people, I actually enjoy pulling weeds. I think it's the satisfaction I get of seeing how much better the garden looks afterwards!  Also, I know that weeding gives the plants I'm trying to grow a much better chance of becoming strong and healthy.



What about you? Do you like to grow a vegetable or flower garden? What about a speech garden?

Have you ever thought about your American accent as being like a garden? The better you tend it, feeding and watering it and pulling the weeds of unnecessary speech patterns, the stronger and more beautiful your speech garden becomes!

So, here's my spring challenge to you.

 Take some time to care for your speech garden this year.

What aspects of your speech need tended to so they can grow? You know that certain areas of your American accent are good - maybe grammar and vocabulary. But you also know that with a little practice, or a little feeding and watering, those areas could be even better.

 Do you have some unhealthy "weeds" in your speech patterns? Maybe these are sounds that make your speech difficult for others to understand. If you could just "weed out", or get rid of,  a few of those pesky sounds, your speech would be much clearer.

How much better will your speech garden look in a few months if you take the time to plan for its growth right now?

What will you do to get rid of the weeds and ensure the healthy growth of your speech garden?

Sometimes, weeds can look a lot like a healthy plant, especially in the beginning. It can be difficult to figure out which ones to keep and which ones to pull and throw away. Often, the best way to figure it out is to ask someone who can identify those weeds and show you which ones to get rid of .

If you are looking for someone to identify the "weeds" that need to be pulled from your speech to improve your American accent, I would love to show you. Together, we can grow a beautiful speech garden for you!  We'll identify all the strong, healthy plants that need to stay as well as the unhelpful weeds that need to go.

Spring is the perfect time to get your speech garden growing well. I'll help you eliminate the weeds that need to go, and I'll provide you with practice materials that are the food to strengthen the sounds you want to keep in your American accent. We'll walk through your speech garden every week to be sure that everything is growing as planned.

By fall, you will be amazed at the wonderful, bounteous garden of American speech that you have been able to grow!

I can't wait to get started! Are you ready to join me?

Click here to get your free Accent Screening and start growing your speech garden today!