Happy New Year and Happy New You!!!

The new year is the perfect time to set intentions for clearer communication.  Here's how to start strong:

1.  Set SMART Goals - Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.  For example, "I will practice nasal consonants for 10 mi...

Here's a testimonial from a Spanish professor I worked with for 13 weeks who moved to the United States to teach at Depaul University, Chicago, Illinois.  

" I was working with Tracey for 13 weeks and I highly recommend her as a coach to help people communicate in English more effectively and wi...

 For non-native IT professionals looking to improve their accent, common concerns often include:

1. Intelligibility and Clarity:  They want to be clearly understood, especially in meetings, presentations, or when explaining technical concepts.  Misunderstandings can lead to technical errors and impa
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If you're a native Mandarin speaker, you may have noticed some aspects of American English pronunciation, especially final consonants, feel challenging.  This is a common hurdle since most Mandarin words end with vowels, whereas many American English words end with one or more consonants.

Pronounci...

 Idioms are the heart and soul of any language, and mastering them is essential for bridging the cultural and linguistic gap between Mandarin and English. For native Chinese speakers, learning idioms can make their English sound more natural, help them connect with others, and give their conversatio...

The ability to communicate effectively is vital in today's globalized world. You will likely get frustrated as you work towards your goal of clear and fluent pronunciation. You will notice that some of your colleagues and friends sound more fluent than you do.  It's important not to compare yourself...

Correct English pronunciation is valuable for professionals who want to succeed in the workplace. Here are five tips explicitly tailored for professionals improving English as a second language.  

1.  What are your goals?

Although you may have studied English for many years, take the time to deter...

Many students have asked me, “Why do I have an accent after so many years of studying English?” First of all,  it’s challenging for Chinese speakers to master English pronunciation due to the differences in phonetics, style, and rhythm between the two languages. 

Several Chinese dialects exist, inc...

Today's job market is more competitive than ever.  The more effective you are at communicating, the more likely you are to get hired or be chosen for a promotion.

Many students sign up for accent modification classes with me to help them achieve clearer communication as they prepare for job intervi...

Many non-native English speakers working in the U.S. are seeking help to reduce their accents in order to get ahead. An accent makes it harder for others to understand you and cause miscommunications.  People are often judged by the way they sound. 

Do you feel you have been passed over by the way ...