What Is the Most Difficult Diphthong in British English?
Students who take elocution lessons often find English diphthongs quite difficult to pronounce.
A diphthong is a voiced sound consisting of two vowel sounds glided together. There are eight diphthongs in English:
[ɪə] – hear – [hɪə]
[eɪ] – pay – [peɪ]
[eə] – pair – [peə]
[aɪ] – pie – [paɪ]
[aʊ] – how – [haʊ]
[əʊ] – boat – [bəʊt] - this diphthong does not exist in other languages, not even in American English
[ɔɪ] – boy – [bɔɪ]
[ʊə] – sewer – [sʊə]
The most difficult for most nationalities is diphthong [əʊ] – boat – [bəʊt].
When I started to work on it, I thought I would never be able to pronounce it correctly. Then, my tutor, Linda James, explained that if I break it into two parts, it will be easier. The first vowel is [ə] as in "the" and the second vowel is [ʊ] as in "book", and we glide from the first vowel into the second, making one complete sound [əʊ] as in "boat".
Most students make a mistake at the start of this diphthong: they round their lips for the [o] sound because it is easier, then glide to [u]. Whilst the correct way is to start with a neutral mouth position, mouth is slightly open, relaxed lips (not rounded, not pushed forward) and then move them into a slightly round position. Watch our video to make sure you place your mouth and lips correctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fWj5raKwcE
Then practise it in Lesson 16 in the apps:
Android:
Elocution Lessons: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.batcs.accentukbegin
Get Rid of your Accent: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.batcs.accentukone
Business English Speech:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.batcs.accentukthree
iOS
Elocution Lessons: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/elocution-lessons/id1411601245
Get Rid of your Accent: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/get-rid-of-your-accent-uk1/id673687753
Business English Speech:https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/business-english-speech/id1447774697
More tips on www.batcsglobal.com
What Is the Most Important Aspect of Elocution?
People expect a technical answer to this question. Good articulation. Vowel placement. Breath support. Projection. These are the building blocks of good speech, and they matter. But after years of teaching elocution — and many more years of living with the results of it — I have come to believe that the most important aspect of elocution is none of these things.
It is this: the elevation of life through speech.
That may sound grand. It is meant to. Because what elocution does, at its best, is not simply correct the way a person sounds. It changes the way they move through the world.
I have watched people walk into a first lesson hunched under the weight of being misunderstood — not once, but daily, for years.
Professionals who dreaded chairing meetings.
Recently, I had a student from the North of England. He looked well off and sounded highly intelligent. He worked all his life in the oil industry. Recently, he divorced, and his reason for having elocution lessons with me was: "I want to meet a better class of women; that is why I want to work on my speech."
Elocution does not just improve pronunciation. It opens up more opportunities.
That is elevation.
Good elocution tutors know how to remove the static. And that, I believe, is the highest purpose of elocution. It is a profound, entirely practical act of helping a person to express thoughts, emotions and beliefs with clarity, power and authenticity.
Warmly
Olga Smith
British Accent Training: Introduction
British accent training consists of several parts.
We recommend starting by mastering RP vowel sounds.
Each vowel sound has a specific speech organ position.
Start your training by learning how to place your tongue, lips and jaw for a particular sound first:
Get Rid of Your Accent Part One video course helps to see and understand how the sounds are formed in the mouth.
Practising each sound for 3 days, 20 minutes a day in words, sentences and verses with the app or book will train your muscle memory to produce the correct sound automatically.
To start your practice today, download the Get Rid of Your Accent UK1 App on iOS/Android
Apps functionality
🎧 Listen & Repeat – Hear model pronunciation for every sound
🎤 Record & Compare – Match your voice against native speakers
The book Get Rid of Your Accent Part One (available on Audible/Amazon) would be perfect for those who prefer audio, paperback, or Kindle versions.
To book your individual speech analysis visit:
https://www.batcsglobal.com/contact
Warmly
Olga Smith
How to Enjoy Elocution?
Elocution does not have to be a long and exhausting practise. It works whe it is consistent.
It can be a lot of fun.
Do not wait for a perfect moment.
Let’s say you have a spare 5 minutes before starting an important meeting or task, or you are waiting for something.
Waiting can be boring.
Instead of another coffee or useless social media scrolling, take your phone and start practising with the app for 5 minutes.
Listen to amusing sentences and verses, repeat, record yourself, and then listen to how your speech becomes more precise and clear.
I recommend downloading all our apps to give yourself a variety of practice:
British English
American English
Do not wait for a perfect moment, practise one lesson today for 5 minutes.
Try not to miss a day of elocution practice.
Warmly
Olga Smith
How to Pronounce the /w/ Sound?
/w/ sound does not exist in many languages, for example, in Hindi, Russian, French, and Hebrew.
My native language was Russian, and it took me 6 months to strengthen my lip muscles in order to pronounce this sound correctly without thinking about it. In the past, I was substituting it with the /v/, and people could not understand me. As you can see from the examples below, the meaning of the word changes if the pronunciation of the /w/ sound is incorrect:
wet - vet, west - vest, whale - vale, wane - vain, worse -verse, wheel - veal.
If you want to achieve great results, practise the long /u:/ sound for three days, Lesson 2 and then /w/ sound, Lesson 25, in the apps:
You will feel your lip muscles getting used to the forward position. The practice will take 10-20 minutes a day.
309. The lost art of elocution — and why your career depends on it
"Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
I once watched a brilliant engineer lose a promotion to someone with half the technical knowledge — simply because that person could command a room. The ideas were equal. The articulation was not.
That moment crystallised something I had long suspected: elocution is one of the most underrated professional skills of our time.
What elocution actually is (and isn't)
When people hear "elocution," they often picture Victorian-era deportment classes or actors projecting to the back row. But in a modern professional context, elocution is simply the disciplined practice of clear, expressive, and effective spoken communication.
It encompasses how you pace your words, the clarity of your diction, the deliberate use of pause and emphasis, and the resonance you bring to your voice. It is not about sounding posh — it is about being understood and believed.
Clarity Pacing Diction Tone Emphasis Presence Pause
38%
of communication impact comes from tone of voice alone
7 sec
to form a first impression — largely based on how you speak
3×
more likely to be seen as a leader if you speak with vocal clarity
We spend enormous energy crafting what we write — slide decks, reports, proposals — yet treat speaking as something we simply do. The result? Brilliant thinking delivered in a mumble, brilliant ideas lost in a rush, brilliant people overlooked because their voice does not match their capability.
Four principles to elevate your spoken presence
1. Slow down more than feels comfortable. Most professionals speak far too quickly when nervous. Speed signals anxiety; deliberate pacing signals authority. Practice pausing for a full two seconds before answering a question. It will feel like an eternity. To the room, it reads as confidence.
2. Articulate consonants, not just vowels. Consonants carry the meaning; vowels carry the music. Crisp word endings — the 'd' in "world," the 't' in "important" — transform mumbled words into messages that land. Read one paragraph aloud each morning, exaggerating every final consonant.
3. Use the strategic pause. Silence is punctuation for the spoken word. A pause before a key point creates anticipation. A pause after creates weight. Leaders who master the pause never need to raise their voice to be heard.
4. Vary your pitch deliberately. A monotone voice, regardless of the content, signals disengagement to the listener's brain. Rising inflection invites; falling inflection concludes; sudden variation captures attention. Record yourself for sixty seconds and count how little your pitch moves — then work to double that range.
PRACTICE TIP
Read one page of a speech, novel, or article aloud every day. Not to yourself — into a recording. The act of hearing your own voice objectively is the fastest feedback loop in existence. Thirty days of this will change how you present permanently.
This matters more now, not less
Hybrid work has not diminished the importance of elocution — it has amplified it. On a video call, your voice is the primary signal. There is no body language to fall back on, no room energy to ride. Your words, your pacing, your clarity: that is all you are.
In an era of AI-generated text and asynchronous communication, the human voice — used well — is a rare differentiator. The professionals who invest in how they speak will stand out not despite technology, but because of it.
"What's one speaking habit you've deliberately worked to improve?"
Share your experience in the comments — I read every one.
The boardroom, the job interview, the keynote stage, the one-to-one with your team — all of these moments hinge not just on what you know, but on how fully and credibly you can deliver it.
Your ideas deserve a voice that does them justice.
307. The Day I Recorded Myself and Got a Shock
I was confident. I thought my English was excellent.
I had a linguistics degree, an MBA, and I had been living and working in London for years. I genuinely believed I communicated well.
Then one day I recorded myself.
I played it back and I was shocked. I could not understand some of the words I was saying. Not because my vocabulary was wrong or my grammar was poor — but because my sounds were unclear, my speech very quiet, and what felt clear inside my head was actually quite difficult to follow from the outside.
That recording changed everything.
Not because it embarrassed me. But because it fascinated me. As a linguist I immediately wanted to understand the gap between how we sound in our own heads and how we actually sound to others.
That gap, I discovered, is where some communication problems live.
Here is what I found after years of research and teaching:
The professionals who struggle most are rarely struggling because of where they are from. They are struggling because of unclear sounds, rushed speech, swallowed endings and hesitant delivery.
These are technical problems. With technical solutions.
I know because I solved them myself — systematically, as a linguist. And that process became the Get Rid of Your Accent series — books, apps and video courses now used by international professionals in over 40 countries.
The recording feature in our apps exists for exactly this reason.
Because you cannot fix what you cannot hear. And most people — just like me — have never actually listened to themselves properly.
Try this today: Record yourself for 60 seconds talking about your work. Play it back. Listen not as yourself — but as a stranger hearing you for the first time.
What do you notice?
That moment of honest listening — however uncomfortable — is where transformation begins.
I'd love to know — have you ever recorded yourself and been surprised by what you heard? Share in the comments below.
Warmly, Olga Smith
302. Elevate Your Language -Elevate Your Life
Yesterday, I attended a philosophy group in Barnes and I have enjoyed not only what I heard but the way people spoke - a wonderful choice of words and Received Pronunciation.
It got me thinking about language and how it transforms experience.
You may have the right thoughts, the right ambition, even the right strategy—but if your delivery lacks clarity and control, it dilutes your impact.
Choice of words, accent, pacing, and tone all contribute to perceived credibility. Like it or not, people associate certain speech patterns with composure, education, and authority.
This is why Received Pronunciation (RP)—often associated with the British upper classes—has historically carried weight. Not because it is “better,” but because it signals:
Clarity
Control
Intentional delivery
It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t blur. It doesn’t apologise.
Elevated speech is not about sounding louder or more formal. It’s about being deliberate.
Instead of:
Rushing through words
Softening statements unnecessarily
Filling space with uncertainty
You begin to:
Articulate clearly
Pause with confidence
Deliver thoughts with structure
Get Rid of your Accent app will help develop clear, composed speech rooted in RP—not to erase who you are, but to elevate how you’re perceived.
Here's how it works:
Elevated language → stronger presence; stronger presence → better opportunities; better opportunities → a different life trajectory
Warmly
Olga Smith
294. Accent Reduction Method
⭐ How Our Method Works
Step 1: Practice the sounds that challenge you most
Start with your video course, app or book.
Focus on the specific sounds that are difficult for your nationality.
Track your progress with exercises and recordings built into the apps.
Step 2: Work on fluency and intonation
Gradually practice words, sentences, and natural speech patterns.
Apply your learning in real-life speaking situations, like meetings, presentations, and conversations.
Step 3: Optional Personalised Support: Speech Analysis & Elocution Lessons
How Sounds are Produced
You learn how to physically produce sounds correctly:
Where to place your tongue and
How to shape your lips;
Jaw position: open, half-open or half-closed, etc. Many people have very stiff jaw muscles, which affects pronunciation.
Fluency Training Involves:
Connected speech patterns
Sentence stress
Natural flow of speech
Strong and weak forms of words
Schwa and fluency
Difficult speech patterns: words anding s and consinant clusters
Use of colloquial expressions and idioms
Intonation
293. How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Accent?
How long will it take me to get rid of my accent?
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked—and the honest answer is: it depends.
Your progress is highly individual and influenced by several factors. Accents are deeply connected to muscle memory and personal identity, so changing them takes time and consistent practice.
Here are four key factors that affect how quickly you can get rid of your accent:
1. Your native language
Some languages are closer to English than others. For example, speakers of Italian or German may find it easier to adapt to English pronunciation, while speakers of Japanese or Chinese often face more differences to overcome.
2. How long you’ve been speaking English
The longer you’ve used certain pronunciation patterns, the more ingrained they become. Changing established habits takes time—but it’s absolutely possible.
3. When you started learning English
Early exposure can make pronunciation more intuitive, but starting later doesn’t mean you can’t make significant progress.
4. Your listening ability (“your ear”)
Some people naturally pick up sounds and rhythm more easily, while others need more focused listening practice. The good news is that this skill can be trained.
Here’s a realistic timeline (if you practice regularly):
1-2 weeks: You’ll start noticing specific sounds
1–3 months: Your speech becomes clearer and easier for others to understand.
6–12 months: You can sound quite close to your target accent in many situations.
1+ year: Near-native fluency is possible, but subtle traces of your original accent often remain.
What speeds it up:
Daily speaking practice (even 15–45 mins)
Recording yourself and comparing
Shadowing native speakers (copying rhythm + intonation)
Focusing on patterns, not just individual words
289. One-Minute Tongue Exercise to Improve Pronunciation
Most people trying to improve their English pronunciation focus on learning more vocabulary or memorising rules. But pronunciation is actually a muscle skill.
Like any muscle skill, sometimes a tiny exercise can make a huge difference.
Here’s a simple one-minute tongue exercise you can try right now:
Step 1: Place your tongue on the alveolar ridge, about 1 cm above and behind your top teeth.
Step 2: Tap your tongue lightly against that spot. Do this rhythmic exercise from the app Get Rid of your Accent, Lesson 27:
t-t-t-t-t
tt-tt-tt-t
ttt-ttt-ttt-t
tttt-tttt-tttt-t
Step 3: Practise the sound in words, sentences and verses:
time, today, test, talk, terrible, torts, table, tennis, try, tend
Two toads totally tired of trying to trot to Tetbury
You’ll notice your /t/ sound becomes clearer and sharper.
Many learners keep their tongue too low or too relaxed, which makes pronunciation sound unclear. This quick exercise wakes up the tongue position used in many English consonants /t, d, l, n/: Lessons 27a, 27b, 30, 33 from the app Get Rid of your Accent.
Think of it like a one-minute warm-up for your mouth.
Try it before:
a meeting
a presentation
a job interview
recording a video
Small habits like this can improve clarity more than hours of passive listening.
Do this exercise 3 times a day for one week and notice how much easier certain sounds feel.
Sometimes improving your pronunciation isn’t about studying more — it’s about training the right muscles that create the sound.
Have you tried any pronunciation warm-ups before?
Share your favourite technique in the comments
Warmly
Olga Smith
286. One trick to sound natural in English
There’s one simple trick to sound natural in English: focus on contractions.
In everyday English, native speakers, in certain cases, do not pronounce the full form of words -they contract them so that the speech flows smoothly.
Instead of saying:
“I will go out”
“I would like to see it”
“It would have been better to stay home”
Native speakers often say:
“I’ll go out.”
“I’d like to see it.”
“It would’ve been better to stay home.”
Notice how:
“I will” → “I’ll”
“I would” → “I’d”
“It would have been” → “It would’ve been”
Mastering contractions can instantly make your English sound smoother and more natural.
Practice Contractions and Strong and Weak Forms of Words
Lesson 43 in the Business English Speech app (based on the book Get Rid of your Accent for Business) focuses entirely on contractions. You’ll:
Lesson 6 in the app Fluent English Speech (based on the book Get Rid of your Accent Part Two, Advance Level)
Discover which words native speakers naturally contract
Perfect pronunciation
Sharpen your skills with 12 hands-on exercises
Get the books and apps today and start sounding natural in English!
Warmly
Olga Smith
285. Accent myth: Adults can’t change their accent
Most students who come to our elocution courses and take elocution lessons are adults aged 30–65.
Almost all of them ask the same question:
“Is it possible at my age to change my accent?”
The short answer is yes.
In fact, 99% of our students are highly motivated, which is a key factor in their success. With our method and their dedication, they achieve remarkable results. Their speech becomes clear and easy to understand, and their accent becomes neutral, making it difficult for others to identify where they originally come from.
They are no longer placed in a box: French, German, Russian, or another nationality simply based on how they speak.
Many students later tell us that they wish they had started this process years earlier. They often explain that before coming to us, they had tried different tutors and courses, but the results were minimal.
At BATCS Global, we combine professional elocution training with specialised learning apps to help students practise every day, which is essential for lasting change.
So why do many accent reduction attempts fail?
From our experience working with adult learners, there are two common reasons why accent training does not produce results.
1. An Unqualified Tutor
Accent training requires specialised knowledge. Only a trained phonetician understands how sounds are formed in the mouth and how to correct pronunciation effectively.
A general English tutor usually has limited training in phonetics and pronunciation mechanics.
Other professionals focus on different areas:
Speech therapists specialise in correcting speech disorders and problems with speech organs.
Voice coaches focus on voice projection and vocal quality.
While both professions are valuable, their training is not focused on accent reduction. Nevertheless, speech therapists and voice coaches sometimes promise accent improvement, which often leads to disappointing results.
Accent reduction requires phonetic expertise, structured exercises, and a proven methodology.
2. Irregular and Insufficient Practice
Even with an excellent teacher, success depends on consistent practice.
Accent training works best when students practise every day using targeted exercises. Regular repetition trains the muscles involved in speech and helps build new pronunciation habits.
This is why we developed a range of specialised video courses, iOS and Android training apps that allow students to practise anywhere and reinforce what they learn during lessons.
Three apps to master all the sounds of Received Pronunciation:
An accompanying video course for these three apps: Get Rid of your Accent Part One
One app to master intonation, sentence stress, fluency and connoceted speech patterns:
An accompanying video course for these three apps: Get Rid of your Accent Part Two
One app to master public speaking skills
American English Speech Apps
For learners who want to master American pronunciation, we offer:
Accent-Specific Training Apps
Some learners need targeted help with pronunciation patterns typical of certain languages. For this purpose, we developed:
These apps focus on correcting the most common pronunciation challenges for speakers of those languages.
The Key to Success
Changing your accent as an adult is absolutely possible. What it requires is:
Expert phonetic guidance
Structured exercises
Daily practice
With the right method, consistent effort, and the support of tools such as the training programmes and apps developed by BATCS Global, adults can achieve clear, confident, and neutral English speech.
Many of our students tell us the same thing after completing their training:
“I only wish I had started sooner.”
Ready to Transform Your Speech?
If you want to change the way you speak English and reduce your accent, the most important step is to start with a professional speech analysis.
At BATCS Global, we offer students an individual speech analysis that identifies the exact pronunciation patterns affecting their speech. During this process, our trained phoneticians analyse:
how you produce individual sounds
stress and rhythm patterns
intonation and speech melody
pronunciation habits and speech patterns influenced by your native language
This detailed assessment allows us to create a personalised training plan targeting only the sounds and speech patterns that need correction. You will get a written report.
Because the training becomes precise and focused, students typically achieve results up to 80% faster compared with general pronunciation practice or traditional language lessons.
Instead of guessing what to improve, you will know exactly what to work on and how to practise effectively.
Combined with our structured lessons and specialised pronunciation apps, this approach helps learners achieve results very fast.
Take the first step today. Visit batcsglobal.com and book your individual speech analysis with BATCS Global to start transforming the way you speak.
Olga Smith
283. 4 Mistakes in a 4-Letter Word
Are you mispronouncing these common English words? Many professionals do, and it can affect clarity.
These words are: “work, word, worm”
I am a non-native English Speaker. It took me several lessons with my speech tutor and a few months of strengthening my lip muscles to pronounce these words correctly. Before learning and mastering the correct pronunciation, I made 3 mistakes in these 4-letter words
The first word: “work”
Mistake N1
The /w/ sound does not exist in my native language, and I used to substitute it with the /v/ sound as in “vet”.
Mistake N2
In my Native lanaguage, we pronounce all letters, so I pronounced the/r/ sound, but in British English, it is not pronounced in this word
Mistake N3
The long /ɜː/ sound as in “Sir” does not exist in my native language either, and I used to pronounce it as /o/.
Mistake N4
Long words do not exist in my native language, and I could not pronounce the /ɜː/ as “Sir” as a long vowel
The result of these 4 mistakes:
Instead of “work” /wɜːk/ I was pronouncing /vɔrk/
Instead of “word” /wɜːd/ I was saying /vɔrd/
Instead of “worm” //wɜːm/ I was saying /vɔrm/
How To Do Right
Many learners of English struggle with these words. Because it is really a tough combination:
For the /w/ sound, your lips should go forward into a tight whistle- shape circle for a split second, and then they should be pushed back into the neutral position.
For the /ɜː/ as “Sir”, the lips should be in a relaxed, neutral position.
Pro Tip: Push lips forward and then quickly move them into the neutral position and keep them there for much longer to pronounce the long /ɜː/ sound.
What often happens is that students keep their lips forward in the round poision for too long and instead of /ɜː/ they say /ɔː/
“walk -“work”
Practice
Repeat each sentence 3 times:
The word werm is hard work.
I worked one term as a nurse.
I wanted to help many people and published apps where you can practise all English sounds. Practise /ɜː/ in lesson 5 and /w/ in lesson 25 with the apps:
Warmly
Olga Smith
271. How to Become a Successful Speech, Elocution, and Accent Reduction Tutor
In today’s globalised world, effective communication is more important than ever. Many people seek guidance to improve their speech clarity, elocution, and accent. If you want to become a good and well-paid speech, elocution, and accent reduction tutor, here is a comprehensive guide on how to excel in this field.
1. Develop Your Expertise
Before you can teach, you need a solid foundation. Understanding the mechanics of speech is essential. Focus on:
Phonetics and Phonology: Learn how sounds are produced and how they differ across languages and dialects.
Articulation and Pronunciation: Master the positioning of the tongue, lips, and jaw to produce accurate sounds.
Intonation, Stress, and Rhythm: Train to help clients sound natural and fluent in their target accent. To obtain this knowledge efficiently, use professional apps and books that contain over 25 years of teaching experience by a top London speech coach:
British English Books and Accompanying Apps:
Get Rid of your Accent for Beginners. The accompanying app: Elocution Lessons
The accompanying app: Get Rid of your Accent UK1
Get Rid of your Accent Part Two, Advanced Level. The accompanying apps: Fluent English Speech and Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause
Get Rid of your Accent for Business, Part Three. The accompanying app: Business English Speech
Pace, Pitch, Pause, Power: Public Speaking Skills Training Manual. The accompanying app: Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause
The book Get Rid f your Accent For Beginners contains a whole chapter with tips and drils for teachers to make their lessons fun and enjoyable
American English Apps:
The Audio and Kindle book: GET RID OF YOUR ACCENT, PART ONE AND TWO: GENERAL AMERICAN ACCENT TRAINING MANUAL, Second Edition
2. Hone Your Teaching Skills
Knowing how to speak clearly is one thing—teaching it effectively is another. To become an excellent tutor:
Be Patient and Empathetic: Accent reduction can be a sensitive subject. Do not jump on students’ speech with corrections; use a measured pace and a calm, friendly attitude.
Adapt Your Approach: Every learner is unique. Tailor lessons to individual needs, learning speeds, and goals.
Praise often, do not overcorrect: Let a student feel that they are making continuous progress. Focus on actionable corrections, celebrate small wins to build confidence.
Make your lessons enjoyable: The book Get Rid of your Accent for Beginners contains a whole chapter with tips and drills for teachers to make their lessons enjoyable and fun!
3. Gain Practical Experience
Practical experience is invaluable. Start by:
Offering free or low-cost sessions to friends, colleagues, or community groups.
Observing experienced tutors and noting their techniques.
Recording your own practice sessions to analyse your teaching style and speech clarity.
The more you practice teaching, the better you’ll understand common challenges and how to address them effectively.
4. Build Trust and Professionalism
Your reputation as a tutor depends on your reliability and professionalism. Key strategies include:
Establishing clear lesson plans and learning objectives.
Communicating openly about progress and areas needing improvement.
Being punctual, organised, and prepared for each session.
Maintaining a positive, encouraging learning environment.
5. Market Yourself Effectively
Once you’ve honed your skills, it’s time to attract clients. You can:
Build a professional website highlighting your expertise and testimonials.
Create Quora and Reddit Profiles. Answer questions related to English Speech.
Publish LinkedIn Newsletter
Use social media to share tips, exercises, and success stories.
Network with language schools, corporate training programs, and public speaking clubs.
You can find free tips and resources on www.batcsglobal.com and contact me directly to get professional advice.
Warmly
Olga Smith
269. How to Start American Accent Training
What app to choose?
We recommend starting with the American Accent App. With this app, you master pronunciation and articulation to achieve speech clarity.
Then move on to the Fluent American Speech and an accompanying video course, Get Rid of Your Accent Part Two, to master speech fluency, sentence stress and difficult speech patterns such as word endings and consonant clusters.
These two apps and two video courses are essential for accent reduction.
For those who want to master their presentation skills, we recommend 4Ps Power. Pitch, Pace, Pause app.
How to Start Training
Explore common pronunciation challenges for your nationality in the American Accent App
Begin with the video course to see how sounds are formed in the mouth. Use the mirror to check that your speech organs match those of the teacher in the video.
Follow up with practice using the apps
Focus on one lesson at a time and practice for 20–45 minutes per day
Continue for three consecutive days
Move on to the next lesson after three days
268. Which App to Choose?
Which App to Choose?
We recommend starting with Elocution Lessons and Get Rid of your Accent apps, and an accompanying video course, Get Rid of your Accent Part One. With these apps, you master pronunciation and articulation to achieve speech clarity.
Then move on to the Fluent English Speech app and an accompanying video course, Get Rid of your Accent Part Two, to master speech fluency, sentence stress and difficult speech patterns such as word endings and consonant clusters.
These three apps and two video courses are essential for accent reduction.
For those who want to master their Business English and presentation skills, we recommend Business English Speech and 4Ps Power. Pitch, Pace, Pause apps.
How to Start British Accent Training
Explore common pronunciation challenges for your nationality in the Elocution Lessons or Get Rid of your Accent apps
Begin with the video course to see how sounds are formed in the mouth. Use the mirror to check that your speech organs match those of the teacher in the video.
Follow up with practice using the apps
Focus on one lesson at a time and practice for 20–45 minutes per day
Continue for three consecutive days
Move on to the next lesson after three days
262. iOS Apps to Master English Speech
This article will help you choose the best apps to master Received Pronunciation, clear articulation, expressive voice modulation, and the strategic use of pauses. These core speaking skills are essential for public speakers and professionals who use English as a second language and want to sound confident, polished, and persuasive.
All the apps featured share powerful, user-friendly functionality. You can listen to expertly recorded audio by professional actors, record your own voice, and instantly compare your pronunciation with the model, making progress measurable and motivating.
British English:
Elocution Lessons. This app is ideal for children and people who have just started learning English. This app has 48 lessons. It contains short, commonly used phrases, sentences and verses that are easy to repeat, and it also has useful tips for teachers of English. It is actually useful for everyone as it contains essential, everyday English.
Get Rid of your Accent. This app is ideal if you want to get rid of a regional or foreign accent and to speak with Standard English or RP (Received Pronunciation). It has 42 lessons; it contains effective practical exercises to perfect all English sounds and perfect your articulation.
Fluent English Speech. This app is a follow-up to the Get Rid of your Accent app. It is ideal if you want to develop fluency in English and sound more like a native English speaker. It contains exercises for difficult and connected speech patterns, natural flow of speech, intonation, sentence stress and onomatopoeia.
Business English Speech. This app was designed for top-level professionals, diplomats and lawyers. It is the only app on the market that has both English pronunciation and business vocabulary training. It contains 43 lessons with material gathered from interviews with CEOs, CFOs and MDs of global companies and helps to develop proficiency in English.
4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause. This app is ideal if you want to get rid of monotonous speech and become a successful presenter and public speaker. It contains practical exercises for voice modulation and the use of pauses.
Get rid of Chinese Accent. This app is the same as the app Get Rid of your Accent, with an additional bonus - Chinese translations.
Get Rid of Russian Accent. This app is the same as the app Get Rid of your Accent, with an additional bonus - Russian translations.
General American English:
American Accent App. This app is ideal if you want to get rid of a foreign or regional accent and master the Standard American accent. It has 42 lessons. It contains effective, practical exercises to perfect all American English sounds.
Fluent American Speech. This app is a follow-up to the American Accent App. It is ideal to develop fluency in your American English speech. It contains exercises for difficult and connected speech patterns, natural flow of speech, intonation and sentence stress
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