Today we are surrounded by uncertainty, and life has become something far from normal. Here in the Carolinas there is less traffic, supermarket shelves are empty, and people are fearful of what might happen in the near future. Lingua East is here to support you in these uncertain times. We have not suspended our services, but in order to comply with social distancing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) we have closed our office to the public and are offering services exclusively online.
Clients still receive the same dedicated, personalized attention through our online services. Here are the main differences between our in-person and online speech training services:
In-person sessions are being conducted via the internet videoconferencing service Zoom. Zoom is free to download and easy to use.
Instead of individualized printouts of the confusing aspects of English pronunciation, grammar, and pronunciation we are posting the digital versions on our client websites.
Rather than paper-based notes produced during the session, we are using the whiteboard function of Zoom to write out pronunciations, stress patterns, and crucial differences that can help you improve your English skills.
By moving our services online, we hope to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and help our clients and community stay healthy. We encourage you to do your part to help in the difficult weeks to come.
Remember:
Practice social distancing and do your best to limit your exposure to others.
Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly.
If you have to cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth completely with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
If you are feeling sick, call your doctor and follow their instructions.
And most importantly:
Be kind to one another. We are all in this together.
Consonant sounds, the
sounds we produce with a combination of our lips, teeth, and/or tongue (see
figure 1), are typically characterized by several features. Those features
include the way they are produced (often referred to as manner), whether or not the consonant is voiced, and where in the
mouth (and nose) they are produced.
This final feature, which
is often referred to as place, can
differ from language to language for the same sound. The difference we hear
between the /d/ produced by a native Spanish speaker and a /d/ produced by a
native speaker of American English has to do with where in the mouth the sound
is produced.
lips
teeth
tongue
palate
lips
b, p, m
v, f
–
–
teeth
v, f
–
ð, θ
–
tongue
–
ð, θ
–
d, t, n, ʤ, ʧ, ʒ, ʃ, g, k, l, r, ŋ
palate
–
–
d, t, n, ʤ, ʧ, ʒ, ʃ, g, k, l, r, ŋ
–
Figure 1. American English consonant
sounds produced via interaction between the lips, teeth, tongue, and palate.
The difference between a
consonant produced by a native English speaker and by someone speaking English
as a second language can be subtle, but native listeners can hear the
difference. By placing the tongue in a slightly different place, the sound
changes significantly.
Therefore, whereas in
Spanish the /d/ sound is often produced with the tongue at the teeth, in
English this sound is produced further back in the mouth, with the tongue
raised in the front to touch the palate.
It is not always easy for
speakers of English as a second language to identify where they need to move
their tongue to produce a consonant like a native speaker. Luckily, a
knowledgeable speech trainer has the ear to be able to tell you which
consonants are being produced in a different place, and where to make a change
for clearer pronunciation.
If you are interested in talking with a speech trainer to learn about how you can change your accent with one-on-one services, then sign up below for a free consultation, either in person at our Charlotte office or online.
I get a lot of calls from people who want me to teach them
English. As much as I would like to help them improve their communication
skills in a second language, I almost always refer them to English classes. I
am not an English teacher. Lingua East is not a language institute. Speech
training is more than that.
Speech training is for people who have already learned the
language. You don’t have to have perfect English, but enough English to be able
to have a conversation with a native speaker. Most of my clients use English every
day at work, or they are looking for a job where they will need to use English.
When you take an English class, you learn the grammar and
vocabulary, and how to put words together into a sentence. English classes give
you exposure to the language in its written form, too, so that you can read and
understand signs, newspapers, books, and websites.
Speech training, on the other hand, teaches you how to properly
produce the sounds of the language, how those sounds interact in the spoken
language, and how the voice is used to add meaning to a message. Some of speech
training is learning the relevant words for a given situation, but the focus is
on how to produce those words.
If you want to learn English, then take an English class or hire a private English tutor. Here in Charlotte, there are some great opportunities offered at Independence Regional Library. If you want to speak the language clearly, then sign up for a free consultation below to see if speech training is right for you.
One of the most frustrating aspects of speaking a second
language is when in your mind you know exactly what you want to say, but you
just don’t have the right words to communicate your idea. The words just don’t
come; not in the second language, anyway. Growing your vocabulary is critical
if you want to minimize those frustrating situations.
I have written before about the importance of reading to grow a vocabulary.
Aside from reading, there are several other methods you can use to learn new
words. These methods have been proven to work; they are based off neuroscience
and research about how people learn new information.
One of these methods is to take a common word and learn several of its synonyms. (Synonyms are different words with the same meaning.) For example, the word thing is used all the time, often when we can’t thing of the specific name of the thing we’re referring to. (See? I just used the word thing.) Here are some of the synonyms for thing:
object
item
device
apparatus
element
article
mechan ism
subject
matter
gadget
The words listed above will not all work as substitutes for thing in every instance, because each
word has a meaning that is slightly more detailed than the general thing. Look up each word to see some
examples, and compare the word’s definition with that of thing and other words on the list.
You can use this method with words you use often. In fact,
it is most useful with the words that are most frequently used in English (or
any language). This method works because it builds upon information you already
have stored in your brain.
Do you need help improving your vocabulary in English as a
second language? Our speech trainer can help. Not only do we help clients
pronounce American English clearly, we help them grow their vocabulary so they
can be ready for that next big meeting at work or that unexpected conversation
at a party. Our services are individualized, so no matter where you use English
or what you need to say, we can help you learn what you need for success. We
now offer evening and weekend appointments so you can fit Lingua East speech
training into your busy schedule. Sign
up for a free consultation
today.
We shouldn’t judge the way others talk. We don’t want others
to judge the way we talk.
Everyone has their own style. Sometimes we say one thing and
the person we’re speaking with hears something else. It isn‘t until later in
the conversation when they say something that clues us in to the
misunderstanding that we identify what happened.
Our job as communicators is twofold: 1) We have to communicate in the way that is most appropriate
for the situation. Automatically, we take into account several factors of
the other person, and we adjust our communication style to best convey our
message to them. For example, if we note they are hard of hearing, we might –
without thinking too much about it – speak a bit louder, to make it easier for
them to hear us. If we’re talking to a child we might use different vocabulary
than if we were having a discussion with a university professor or another
adult.
2) The second part of our job as communicators is to listen
with the intent to understand. That
does not mean making a lot of assumptions about what the other person is
saying, but consider the information they give you before connecting it in intricate ways to what you already know and
believe. In other words, when we listen with the intent to understand, we are
open to the ideas and opinions of others.
Part of being not just a good communicator, but a good person, is to reserve your judgement of
a person. Do not judge people for the way they talk. Don’t judge them based on
the language they speak, their dialect, their accent, or the vocabulary they
use.
Just because you hold a belief does not mean that everyone
holds the same belief of you. That belief may be a positive force in your life;
it might work for you. But that does not mean it will work for everyone.
If you believe that it is wrong to swear, good for you.
However, not everyone holds that belief. (In fact, studies have linked swearing
to longer lives, ability to withstand greater levels of pain, and lower levels
of stress). If you meet someone who in casual conversation, uses a swear word
or two, reserve your judgement of that person. Rather than focusing on the
words they use that you do not like, focus on the message they are trying to
convey. Be open to their ideas.
If you meet someone who speaks your native language with an
accent, do not assume they are less intelligent. Many people who speak with an
accent know two or more languages – an impressive feat of learning! The sound
system and intonation patterns of their first language influence their
pronunciation of their second language. Speech
training can help people communicate more clearly in a second language.
Half of speaking is listening. No two people share exactly the same language history, vocabulary, and speaking style. That is even more reason to listen to others. You might be surprised about what you learn.
As an adjective, it can be
used to describe a person who is unkind and unpleasant toward others, or a dog
that barks viciously and chases
people. It is the opposite of nice.
In its verb form, mean is used to describe, explain, or
define something. It is related to the noun meaning.
Therefore, when you ask someone, “What do you mean?” You get a response that
describes the intended meaning of
something they said.
But there is another use of
the word mean. This use occurs far
more often than we would like. The word mean
is used in its verb form with another verb, in its infinitive form, added to
it.
-He has been meaning to read more.
-I was meaning to call you.
-They meant to fix the car.
When mean is used with another verb, as in the examples above, the verb
tense is usually present perfect progressive (has been meaning), past
progressive (was meaning), or past tense (meant). While this use of mean can appear in the present tense,
due to the nature of what mean to
communicates, it is most frequently used in one of the three verb tenses listed
above.
Here, meanimplies an
intention. The phrase that follows mean
indicates something the subject – he, I, and they in the examples above –
intends to happen (to read more, to call you, to fix the car). You might be
able to substitute the word want for mean in sentences like these.
But not necessarily.
When you say you mean to do something, you might truly
want to do that thing, intend to do that thing, and eventually you will do that thing. That is the
strongest interpretation of a mean to sentence.
But we as humans can be fickle. We
often say we will do things but never do them, either because we are lazy, we
forget, or we want to put our listener at
ease.
Most of the time when we
say we have been meaning to do
something, we never do that thing. But that is no reason not to try the things
that we have been wanting to do. When I found myself telling others that I have
been meaning to run more, I made a mental
note. Then, I laced up my sneakers and hit
the pavement. So far, I have no regrets.
What is on the list of
things you have been meaning to do?
If speech training is on your list, then you’ll need a plan. Send us a message
and we’ll be happy to help.
Glossary
versatile: having
many uses || Mean is a versatile word.
viciously: in
a violent, dangerous, or cruel manner || a dog that barks viciously
intend: to
plan or want to do something, to have in mind as a purpose or goal || a
response that describes the intended
meaning of something they said
imply: to
suggest or express in an indirect way || meanimplies an intention
fickle: changing
often, especially of opinion || humans can be fickle
at ease: comfortable
or relaxed || we want to put our listener at
ease
mental note: to
pay attention so you can remember a piece of information later || I made a mental note
hit the pavement: to
walk or run on the streets; to go out in search of something || I laced up my
sneakers and hit the pavement
Here in Charlotte, I meet a lot of people who live their lives in their first language, using English as a second language only rarely. It can be a struggle to keep a second language in your brain when you don’t use it every day. However, you don’t have to use a language every day to remember it. There are many ways to keep your language skills fresh and to keep learning, so that when you do need to use your second language, it will be at the tip of your tongue.
Explore the Community
One of the most common pieces of advice I give to clients is
to get out in the English-speaking community. Step out of your comfort zone on
a regular basis and put yourself in situations where English is the only
choice. Maybe that means shopping at a different store, trying out a new restaurant,
or making conversation with a stranger on the street. These are all great ways
to work on your speaking and listening skills in English, and you might even encounter something new that you never knew
you liked.
Read a Book
I’ve written before about the benefits of reading. Reading a book in a second language is a great way to keep the grammar and vocabulary in your mind. Different authors have different ways of communicating, so reading can be an excellent way to grow your verbal skills while you learn new words. Plus, during ten-minute moments of boredom, you can accomplish much more by reading a book than by perusing social media.
Listen to Music
There is a special connection between music and language.
You can take advantage of this connection by listening to English language musicians.
Listen to the lyrics of different tunes and choose artists who sing in a
way that you can hear most of the words clearly. Some words may be too fast to decipher by ear; in this case, look up the
lyrics online. The more you hear the song knowing what the lyrics are, the more
words of the song you will remember. Sing along – I like to do this while
driving – and practice your pronunciation.
Watch Some TV
English-language television, especially sitcoms, are one of the best ways to keep your comprehension
abilities sharp. Sitcoms are an excellent source of English grammar and
vocabulary, and they are absolutely brimming
with cultural information. In fact, many sitcoms, such as The Office, Friends, and Seinfeld became so popular, they are
often referred to in conversation among native speakers. By watching sitcoms,
you can learn new idioms, slang, and cultural rules for interactions. Try to
keep the captions turned off if you can. If you must use captions, then be sure they are in English, rather than
your first language.
Google In English
Almost every internet search you perform during the day is
part of an inner monologue, the
conversation you have with yourself in your mind. In order to ensure that you
are still thinking in English part of the time, make a point to perform some of
your internet searches in English. Just by asking that question in English and considering
the possible answers in English, that entire train of thought can occur in English, rather than your first
language.
If you are motivated to become more self-sufficient with
your English, then sign up for a free consultation to find out if speech
training is for you. Our valuable services can provide you with the key information
that no one tells you about speaking English as a second language. Our services
are available in person at our office in Charlotte or via the web wherever you
are.
Glossary
at the tip of your
tongue: in your mind, ready for you to say :: when you do need to use your second language, it will be at the tip of your tongue
encounter: find ::
you might even encounter something
new
perusing: looking
at, looking through :: you can accomplish much more reading a book than by perusing social media
tunes: songs :: Listen
to the lyrics of different tunes
lyrics: the words
in a song :: Listen to the lyrics of
different tunes
decipher: decode,
interpret, understand:: Some words may be too fast to decipher by ear…
sitcoms: situation
comedies :: English-language television, especially sitcoms, can be a great way to keep your comprehension abilities
sharp
brimming with: full
of, overflowing with :: they are absolutely brimming with cultural information
monologue: a
speech or conversation where only one person is talking :: Almost every
internet search you perform during the day is part of an inner monologue
train of thought: a
line of reasoning, how someone thinks through something to reach a conclusion ::
…that entire train of thought can
occur in English…
You can listen to the audio of this article while you read. Words in bold are defined in the glossary below.
People log in to Facebook all over the world to see what their friends are up to, to see what strangers are doing, to skim articles on topics such as thirty ways to use rubber bands or heroic hedghogs, and to participate in various pages and groups. There are countless pages on the site devoted to learning English. But simply visiting those pages will not improve your English.
Sure, you might learn a new word or two, but scrolling
through post after post of brief content is no way to learn. Learning takes
concentration and work, and social media sites are designed to thwart both those activities. When you
are exposed to new information while you are distracted, that information will
go in one ear and out the other. And
it is impossible not to be distracted while on a social media site. The sites
were designed to keep you distracted,
with variable rewards (notifications that have the same affect on humans as the
levers that dispense food in the classic rat experiments from psychology) and multiple
things in your line of vision that serve to pull your attention in multiple
directions at once.
The phrase fear of
missing out is frequently used to describe the thing that keeps people
glued to social media. People often describe their urge to spend vast stretches of time on Facebook,
Snapchat, Twitter, and whatever else folks are using these days with, “I’m afraid
I might miss something.” In reality, those people are missing out on real life while they are staring at
their screens.
Learning English or any other language is a process that
requires you to focus your attention on one thing at a time. If you are focusing
for 20 seconds, then click over to quickly wish your cousin’s best friend a
happy birthday, then you are not really focusing. For real learning to take
place, you have to cut out the distractions.
Everyone has their own learning styles. You may find it worth it to take some time to think
about how you learn best. Personally, I prefer pen and paper, but maybe you learn
better with a keyboard, or repeating the new information out loud. Usually, the more methods of reproducing the
information you are trying to learn, the
better, because it gives your brain multiple representations of the same piece
of information. If you are working on your pronunciation, then getting a native
speaker to give you feedback can be helpful. Facebook can’t do that.
If you are serious about improving in a second language, then don’t make social media a part of your learning plan. It will only bombard you with information and muddle your attention. If you truly want to work on your English, then make a plan, find a speech trainer, and concentrate on learning the skills you need to improve.
After that, feel free to log in to your favorite social
media site and let them hear your ideas.
Glossary
up to: doing,
engaged in :: People log in to Facebook
all over the world to see what their friends are up to…
skim: to read
quickly:: … to skim articles…
thwart: to
prevent, to cause to fail :: …social
media sites are designed to thwart
both those activities…
in one ear and out
the other: to be heard but not attended to, when someone does not pay
attention :: …that information will go in one ear and out the other
vast: very large
or very wide :: …to spend vast stretches of time…
cut out: eliminate::…you
have to cut out the distractions
worth it: worth
doing, worth the time/effort::You
may find it worth it to take some
time to think…
the more [X] the
better [Y]: when there is more of X, the result Y will be better :: …the
more methods of reproducing the
information you are trying to learn, the
better…
bombard: to
attack something or someone by directing a stream of objects at them :: It will only bombard you with information…
muddle: to mix
up, to confuse :: …muddle your attention
If you’re like most people who speak a second language, then the thought of working to improve your skills in that language can feel like standing at the bottom of an enormous mountain, wanting to get to the summit. Unfortunately, we can’t fly, so if we want to get to the top of that mountain, we have to start walking, putting one foot in front of the other, until we arrive. If we want to improve our communication in a second language, then we have to start. After a while, just few minutes of study each day adds up. Consistency is key.
Step by step, it all adds up. Consistency is key.
Make working on your second language skills a part of your
daily routine. Think about what time during the day your brain is most active,
and schedule your language work accordingly. Many people prefer to work on
their language skills either in the morning or at night. It doesn’t matter when you get your practice in. The only
thing that matters is that you do it every
day.
Our lives are busy. Maybe it is out of the question to try
to fit in an entire hour of language study every day, but it is entirely
possible to fit fifteen minutes of study into each day. Fifteen minutes may not
sound like much, but in a week, it adds up to over an hour. In a month: seven
hours. And in a year: three entire days.
The added bonus of working just a few minutes every day on your second language
is that this slow and steady method helps your brain take in, practice, and learn
new information more efficiently.
When learning things like languages, it is better to work
with smaller chunks of information over a period of time. A lot of information
all at once can overwhelm us and distract us from the main concepts that our
brains use to organize information. Therefore, if you spend the first three
days of the year working on all the language skills you want to learn that year
and then you don’t study until December, all that information you tried to
learn back in January probably won’t still be in your brain. However, breaking
the same amount of information into 365 15-minute chunks (one for every day of
the year) will make it easier for your brain to learn and retain that
information.
Before you know it, you’re at the top of the mountain. Looking across the valley, you see the next mountain. Now you know: the only way to get there is to start walking, putting one foot in front of the other. .
Every year, at the beginning of January, people make New Year’s resolutions. These are promises that we make to ourselves to be better. To eat better, to exercise more often, to have better relationships with the people around us, and to get better at skills that interest us. To successfully commit to a resolution, you must be motivated to improve and have the patience to stick with your plan, even when it feels difficult.
At Lingua East, our resolution is to provide every person who comes to us for in-person or web-based speech training with the best possible service. We resolve to help you get better at speaking and understanding English.
What is your New Year’s resolution?
Let’s have a great 2019. Make Lingua East a part of your plan for the new year.
