Does It Really Matter to Have a Strong Accent?

In 2004, I, Olga Smith, was looking for an elocution tutor. My American husband could not understand some of the words I was saying. People often asked me to repeat what I said. Then I was saying it in the same way; it was a vicious circle. I felt my foreign accent was a nuisance for me and others.

After a long, difficult search and failed attempts with numerous "elocution tutors”, I found Linda James, a qualified phonetician with 20+ years of teaching speech in London drama schools and accent reduction to international professionals. From the very first lesson, I fell in love with Linda's teaching method and could see the progress straight away.

In 2006, I told Linda I wanted to write a book based on her method and asked her to co-author it. I wanted to make Linda's exclusive and very enjoyable lessons available to a wide audience. This is how the international bestselling book Get Rid of Your Accent, Part One (Audible/Amazon) was born.

Linda and I later co-authored Parts Two - Advanced Level and Three - for Business, and our most recent book is Get Rid of Your Accent for Beginners.

We recently created accompanying video courses for the mentioned above apps:

All our books have been converted into iOS and Android apps by developer Yury Kravchenko. Yury himself had a strong Russian accent, and his elocution tutor recommended our Get Rid of Your Accent book. He enjoyed the book and the progress he was making with it. Yury proposed turning the entire series into apps:

British English

Elocution Lessons

Get Rid of your Accent:

Fluent English Speech

Business English Speech

4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause

Get rid of Chinese Accent

Get Rid of Russian Accent

American English

Today, nearly 20 years later, what started as my personal struggle has become a global resource.

If you've ever felt held back by your accent — in meetings, on stage, or simply in conversation — I want you to know: clear, confident speech is a skill. And like any skill, it can be learned.

Whether you prefer books, apps, video courses, or 1-to-1 coaching, we have a path for you:

  • 📗 Bestselling books on Amazon & Audible

  • 📱iOS & Android apps (British & American English)

  • 🎓 Video courses on Udemy

  • 🎙️ Online & in-person coaching in London

Find free tips on www.batcsglobal.com

Warmly

Olga Smith

The King Before Congress: History, Diplomacy, and a Touch of Wilde

On 28 April 2026, King Charles III addressed the United States Congress — a moment charged with ceremony and quiet historical weight. As he walked slowly to the lectern, his bearing alone seemed to still the chamber. Something rare and significant was about to unfold.

He opened, disarmingly, with wit. Quoting Oscar Wilde, the King drew warm laughter from the assembled legislators:

"We have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language."

What followed earned him numerous standing ovations — a speech woven from clever humour, resonant historical references, and genuine praise for America and its enduring friendship with Britain. I found myself particularly struck by one phrase: "The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with a cause." Descriptive, precise, and quietly daring.

The speech was as much a history lesson as an act of statesmanship. The King invoked Magna Carta — Latin for "Great Charter" — the foundational document agreed upon in England in 1215, enshrining the principle that no one stands above the law. It is the bedrock upon which democracy in both the United Kingdom and the United States was built, and hearing it spoken of in those hallowed chambers carried a particular resonance.

What impressed me most was the King's masterclass in diplomacy — a rare blend of candour and grace. Even when addressing issues that divide Congress, he spoke with sincerity and authenticity, never retreating into comfortable platitudes.

His closing was quietly profound. Reminding his audience that America's words carry weight and meaning, he added that the actions of this great nation matter even more. He then sealed the thought by invoking Lincoln's timeless words from the Gettysburg Address:

"The world will little note what we say, but it will never forget what we do."

It was, in every sense, a speech worthy of the occasion — and of the man who delivered it.

In my next edition, we turn to something altogether lighter: the King's after-dinner speech, and the rather different art of making a room laugh.

Warmly,
Olga Smith

Elocution Lesson with Prince William

This is the third edition in the Elocution Lessons With Royals series, where I analyse Prince William's short speech in Cape Town (2024).

What Worked Well

Three elements were particularly strong: the introduction, the conclusion, and his overall presence.

What stood out to me the most was the way William approached the stage: with a measured pace and clear confidence. Many public speakers rush on, which can signal nervousness—and often amplifies it. By contrast, a calm, unhurried walk helps set the tone, giving the speaker a moment to collect their thoughts and establish presence from the outset.

That’s exactly what happened here. William began by greeting the audience in several African languages, and that was met with genuine enthusiasm. It’s a simple but powerful technique in public speaking —especially for international audiences. Taking the time to learn even a basic greeting in your audience’s languages can immediately build rapport and create a strong, memorable opening.

His commanding presence was further elevated by masterful eye contact and resonant voice projection.

William used rhetorical devices (repetition, alliteration) and the rule of three to enhance his speech:

“People dedicated their time, talent and vision”

“When they succeed - we all succeed, when they thrive - we all thrive, when they win - we all win”

He closed his speech by offering farewells in several African languages, rekindling the audience’s enthusiasm.

What He Could Have Done Differently

  • For most of his speech, Prince William stood with arms crossed in front of his body.

It is his signature gesture. It projects composure and restraint in informal or observational settings. It can signal thoughtfulness, control, and a certain self-assured poise. However, in the context of public speaking, the same gesture can work against the speaker’s objectives.

An arms-crossed posture is often read, consciously or not, as closed or defensive. It creates a subtle barrier between the speaker and the audience, limiting openness and connection. Open gestures, by contrast, signal confidence, transparency, and engagement. There’s also a physical limitation. A constrained posture can therefore make delivery feel less dynamic and less persuasive.

For a speaker of Prince William’s stature, whose presence already carries authority, adopting a more open stance—relaxed arms, purposeful gestures, and grounded posture—would enhance warmth and relatability without sacrificing gravitas.

The body of his speech was marked by extended, densely constructed sentences, with little use of pause. This made the delivery harder to follow and risked diminishing audience engagement over time.

In public speaking, shorter sentences combined with deliberate pauses work better. Pauses, in particular, give the audience time to absorb and reflect, ensuring that each message is fully received before moving on to the next.

Public speakers can master phrases with the app 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause (iOS/Android).

In my next speech, I will be analysing a speech of another member of the British Royal family.

Warmly

Olga Smith

Public Speaking Phenomenon of Princess Diana

In our elocution lessons, students strive for perfection. We work on RP, controlled delivery, and confident body language.

At the same time, I always encourage all my students to be authentic, recognise their individual strengths and use what is uniquely theirs.

Princess Diana is one of the clearest real-world examples of how authenticity matters even more than perfection.

Early in her public life, her speech was noticeably formal and careful. You could hear the effort to “get it right.” The tone was controlled, slightly distant, and highly polished in a traditional sense. Let's have a look at how her speaking style transformed.

  • In the Anti-landmine speech (1997), she said: “I am not a political figure, nor do I wish to be one, but with the spirit of compassion, I appeal…”

She lowers her status (“I am not a political figure”) and builds trust by removing the tension around authority. She uses “I” and emotional framing instead of formal political language. Her humility creates an instant connection.

  • In her HIV/AIDS speech (1987), she said: “HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug…”

Her direct, simple, human language (no technical terms) and the use of physical imagery (“shake hands,” “hug”) enhance emotional clarity.

  • Princess Diana often visited charities and hospitals. She often said things like:

“I just want to be with people and listen.”

Such short, unforced sentences and wanting to listen show her authenticity.

  • In many speeches and interviews, Diana used pauses to add emotional weight.

She pauses before emotional points.

She slows down noticeably when topics are sensitive.

Her public speaking strengths were:

  • simplicity

  • authenticity

  • clarity

  • compassion

  • connection with the audience

  • emotional vulnerability

  • great use of pauses

Princess Diana did not become impactful by sounding perfect. She achieved tremendous success in public speaking by being clear, present, and human. Her speeches show how she became who she was born to be - The Princess of People’s Hearts.

If you want to discover your own strengths in public speaking, please get in touch: www.batcsglobal.com/contact

Warmly, Olga Smith

Elocution Lessons With Prince Harry

Prince Harry delivered a powerful speech in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine — the capital of my motherland.

The content of his speech, the way it was written, and its delivery are impressive. I have decided to analyse it, and this analysis is the start of my new series, Elocution Lessons with Prince Harry.

Content

As a half-Russian and half-Ukrainian who was born in the Soviet Union, I can say that Harry’s speech was well researched.

Harry immediately connects with the audience by saying that he speaks to people as a former soldier of the Afghan war. He further strengthens this bond by saying, “I will not be speaking about Ukraine; I will be speaking directly to you.”

He uses rhetorical devices right from the start and throughout his speech.

  • Alliterations that help the audience remember what is said:

“difficult to describe”

“courage over caution”

"commitment with consistency"

"decisive actions delivered quickly"

  • The Rule of Three:

“strength, dignity and purpose”

“silence, delay and lack of accountability”

“actively, consistently and collectively”

“Ukraine earned respect through its leadership, through its resilience and through its conduct”

  • Repetition and the power of three make the message stand out and become more memorable:

“clarity of what matters, clarity of what is at stake, and clarity of who is carrying this burden”,

“still standing, still fighting, and still leading”,

“shared mission and shared responsibility”.

  • Contrasts multiply the depth and impact of what is being said:

“not in speeches but in action”

“not strength in arms but strength in unity”

“not just resilience but innovation under fire”

“not just survival but purpose”

“Strength is not measured by how loudly we speak, but by how consistently we stand for the values we hold dear”

Speech Delivery

Harry was reading the speech, yet he looked at the audience consistently and maintained good eye contact.

He emphasises key words and uses pauses effectively — allowing important ideas to land.

The pace of his speech was easy to follow, neither rushed nor slow.

What Harry could have done better

Three things stood out to me:

  • Uneven audience engagement

Harry often directed his gaze to the right side of the audience. A more balanced distribution of attention would have strengthened the connection across the room.

  • Posture

One shoulder appeared slightly raised — a small detail, but posture influences perceived confidence and authority.

  • Limited use of gestures

His hands remained mostly behind the lectern. Visible, controlled gestures could have reinforced key messages. At moments, slight awkward hand movement suggested some nervousness.

In my next edition, I will continue elocution lessons with Prince Harry

Stay tuned

Warmly

Olga Smith

249. One Letter Pronounced in Five Sounds

In many languages, words are pronounced in the same way they are spelt.

In English, spelling and pronunciation are not identical. English has inherited many foreign words, including those from Latin, French, Dutch, and German, and it has anglicised the pronunciation while retaining the original spelling.

In this article, I will give examples from our elocution apps of how one letter “o” represents several sounds:

  1. In words, “come, oven, front, company” it represents the / ʌ/ sound as in “duck” (Lesson 9)

  2. In words, “those, phone, no ” it is pronounced as a diphthong /əʊ/ as in “blow” (Lesson 16)

  3. In words, “corner, storage, form” it is pronounced as a long /ɔː/ sound (Lesson 3)

  4. In words, “stop, office, box” it is a short /ɒ/ sound (Lesson 10)

  5. In unstressed syllables, it is pronounced as schwa /ə/, as in “the”. I highlighted the schwa: “confirm, London, potatoes” (Lesson 6)

You noticed that I mentioned lesson numbers from our elocution apps in brackets. This is to help you practise these sounds.

British English

American English

When using the apps, avoid looking at the spelling the first time you practise a sound. This helps you overcome confusion caused by English spelling and focus purely on pronunciation. Listen carefully and repeat the sound in words, phrases, and verses. 

There are no fixed rules for when a particular sound is used. However, by working with our elocution apps, you’ll start to notice pronunciation patterns and have plenty of opportunities to practise them.

Subscribe to our newsletter and visit www.batcsglobal.com to receive daily pronunciation tips.

242. The Question That Can Change Everything

“What’s the point? I don’t see the meaning of my actions. It’s not worth it.”

Do these thoughts sound familiar?

The truth is, many intelligent, capable people quietly struggle with this question. It’s not a lack of ability -it’s a loss of meaning. You can do things, but an inner voice whispers, “Why bother?” That quiet dialogue drains motivation until even simple actions start to feel pointless.

This often happens when we lose connection — to our goals, to a sense of purpose, or even to our own energy. We move through the day uninspired, disengaged, and uncertain why our efforts matter.

But there’s a gentle way out. Instead of asking, “What’s the point?”, ask a different question:

“What can this teach me?”

Even small experiences can become lessons. For example: 

  •  Mastering your speech teaches you clarity, confidence, and how to express your ideas with impact.

  •  Working on your pronunciation trains your ear to listen better — a skill that improves all communication.

  •  Speaking in public helps you manage stress, stay calm under pressure, and connect with others authentically.

  •  Repeating the same exercise builds patience, focus, and discipline — qualities that translate far beyond language learning.

 The point isn’t perfection — it’s growth.

The point is to live in a way that keeps your spirit awake — to stay curious, to learn, and to grow through everything you do.

Warmly,

Olga Smith

www.batcsglobal.com