The InFluency Podcast

Latest Episodes:

106. How to pronounce Costume, Custom, and Customs Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words. This week we're going to talk about how to pronounce the words "costume", "custom", and "customs".

Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode:

Costume: kaas-tuwm [IPA: ˈkɑːstuːm ] or kaas-tyuwm [IPA: ˈkɑːstjuːm]
Custom: kuhs-t'm [IPA: ˈkʌstəm]
Customer: khus-t'm-'r [IPA: ˈkʌstəmər]
Customs: kuhs-t'mz [IPA:ˈkʌstəmz]

Did you know we're working on a new and exciting transformational program? Get on the list to find out when we open doors! https://hadarshemesh.com/join/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://theaccentsway.com/influency-community/

105. 50 Powerful Fluency Tips (in under 5 minutes) Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

Ever felt stuck, not knowing what to do next to improve your fluency in English? NOT ANYMORE In this episode I'm gonna share with you 50 of my best English fluency tips so that you can become fluent in English, or any other language.

I know, it may sound like a lot – but you don't need to use all of them, only the ones that you will enjoy. Remember, your English work HAS to be FUN!

Watch the video version and download my list of 50 powerful fluency tips here: https://bit.ly/3DTPMs6

Which of these tips are you going to use? Let me know in the comments.

More episodes on Fluency:

#1 STRATEGY to become FLUENT in English [and why you DON'T NEED to 'speak like a native speaker'] https://theaccentsway.com/fluency-strategy/

How to get fluent in English? Identify your fluency needs FIRST! https://theaccentsway.com/fluent-english-wheel/

10 ways to DESTROY your English Fluency https://theaccentsway.com/speak-english-fluently/

PLAYLIST: Becoming Fluent in English: Strategies, Techniques, Mindset https://bit.ly/3ugxrSt

Did you know we're working on a new and exciting transformational program? Get on the list to find out when we open doors! https://hadarshemesh.com/join/

104. How to pronounce the L Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

English sounds can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words or sounds. This week we're going to talk about the L sound.

Did you know that there are actually two L sounds in English? And did you know that getting it right is crucial for your clarity?

Practice the L and see results! Download list and practice with audio the light and dark L: https://bit.ly/2Nniz3Z

Here's a loose transcription of words with a light L as explained in the episode:

Light: lait [IPA: laɪt]
Allow: uh-lau [IPA: əˈlaʊ]
Belly: be-lee [IPA:ˈbeli]
Listen: li-s'n [IPA: ˈlɪsən]
Play: plei [IPA: pleɪ]
Clothes: klowz [IPA: kloʊz]
Clean: kleen [IPA: kliːn]
Shallow: sha-low [IPA: ˈʃæloʊ]
Lost: lost [IPA: lɔːst]

And here's a loose transcription of words with a dark L as explained in the episode:

Well: wel [IPA: weɫ]
Fall: fol [IPA: fɔːɫ]
Milk: milk [IPA: mɪɫk]
Wall: wol [IPA: wɔːɫ]
Help: help [IPA: heɫp]
Girl: g'rl [IPA: ɡɝːɫ]
Heal: hee(y)l [IPA: hiːəɫ]
Peel: pee(y)l [IPA: piːəɫ]
Deal: dee(y)l [IPA: diːəɫ]
Feel: fee(y)l [IPA: fiːəɫ]
Pool: poo(w)l [IPA: puːəɫ]
Rule: roo(w)l [IPA: ruːəɫ]
Cool: koo(w)l [IPA: kuːəɫ]

Did you know we're working on a new and exciting transformational program? Get on the list to find out when we open doors! https://hadarshemesh.com/join/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://theaccentsway.com/influency-community/

103. Why your Voice Matters Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

The fear of speaking in a second language or in public can be crippling. That knot that pushes your words further down into your chest. Do you know it?

We often think about these things as if they are OUR OWN issues. OUR problems, OUR English. But what if English is just a manifestation of something bigger that prevents us from speaking? What if our tendency to mute ourselves is not just English but something generational, that unless we break the chain, we will keep passing it onward?

In this podcast I share with you some of the struggles I've been facing recently around creating content during uncertain times, and how I found inspiration in an unexpected place – My ancestors.

I recorded this podcast, after listening to Amanda Gorman's Ted talk called Using Your Voice is a Political Choice. Watch it here: https://bit.ly/3bcuKbz

Share your story on my website: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/103/ Send me a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hadar.accentsway/

If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://theaccentsway.com/audio-accent-course/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://theaccentsway.com/influency-community/

102. How to say 'Happy Valentine's Day' Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

To say "Happy Valentine's Day" you need to learn 2 important things: 1. How to pronounce the /a/ as in 'cat', and 2. Learn the difference between B and V (to all you Spanish speakers out there). Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Happy: ha-pee [IPA: ˈhæpi]

Valentine's Day: va-l'n-tainz dey [IPA:ˈvæl.ən.taɪnz ˌdeɪ]

If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://hadarshemesh.com/audio-accent-course/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://hadarshemesh.com/50-most-mispronounced-words/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://hadarshemesh.com/influency-community/

101. How to pronounce: Flap T and D Feb 05, 2021

Show notes

Have you ever noticed that these words sound the same? Listen to the episode to learn how to say the T and D in American English when they are in the middle of the word!

Don't forget to grab a free practice sheet with audio! https://theaccentsway.com/t-d-freebie/

Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode:

writing / riding: ˈrai-ding [IPA: ˈraɪɾɪŋ]
president: pre-zuh-d'nt [IPA: ˈprezɪɾənt ]
bidding: bi-ding [IPA: ˈbɪɾɪŋ]
Betty: be-dee [IPA: ˈbeɾi]
hotter: haa-d'r [IPA: hɑːɾər]
about it: uh-bau-dit [IPA: əˈbaʊɾɪt]
it is: i-dis [IPA: ɪɾɪz]
Wetting / wedding: we-ding [IPA: ˈweɾɪŋ]

If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://theaccentsway.com/audio-accent-course/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://theaccentsway.com/influency-community/

100. A native English speaker criticized my English… This is my response Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

What do you do when people criticize your English? Not in a good, loving way, but in a demeaning and patronizing way?

When I get negative comments and criticism (and I do, a lot) I usually don't respond. But there was something about a comment I received on YouTube recently that triggered me, so I decided to respond.

I wanted to do that so you'll see that I, too, receive negative feedback, and I don't let it get to me – and neither should you.

But also, I wanted to show you what Native Speakerism is – the assumption that a select group of people (or teachers) with a certain linguistic background is superior to other groups who don't share the same background. I think it's important that we identify it when we see it – as it takes on many forms – and call people out on it.

If you feel like sharing a negative comment you received – write it in the comments, and add your response after listening to this episode!

The video there the comment appeared https://youtu.be/pM1srOv9Mds

More episodes to educate yourself about English and native speakerism:

DON'T ASK me about my ACCENT https://theaccentsway.com/dont-ask-about-my-accent/
Accent Bias episode https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/44/
Speak English Like A Native Speaker – THE MYTH https://theaccentsway.com/speak-english-like-a-native-speaker-myth/
How To Talk About Social Justice In English https://theaccentsway.com/social-justice-vocabulary/
Equality in English | The Live English Show https://youtu.be/gvCEtLdPLAA

If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://theaccentsway.com/audio-accent-course/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://theaccentsway.com/influency-community/

99. How to pronounce OW as in GO Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode:

Go: gow [IPA: goʊ]
Know: now [IPA: noʊ]
Only: own-lee [IPA: oʊnli]
Lonely: lown-lee [IPA: loʊnli]
Don't: downt [IPA: doʊnt]
Won't: wownt [IPA: woʊnt]
Cold: kowld [IPA: koʊld]
Scroll: skrowl [IPA: skroʊl]
Hotel: how-tel [IPA: hoʊtel]

Download free practice sheet and audio: https://theaccentsway.com/ow-as-in-go/

Another useful episode – WANT vs WON'T: https://theaccentsway.com/want-wont/

If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://theaccentsway.com/audio-accent-course/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://theaccentsway.com/mispro-signup/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://theaccentsway.com/influency-community/

98. Clubhouse APP: A New Social Platform that will Skyrocket your Communication Skills Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

Clubhouse is a new social platform based on audio interactions, that can significantly boost your communication skills and fluency.

In this episode I'm going to tell you how it works, and why I think it's such an incredible platform to improve your communication skills, especially if you want to improve your English fluency.

Clubhouse is based on audio only. So no video, and no chat! It might sound challenging and maybe a little scary at first, but it's very useful and definitely worth a try.

Currently you can only use the app on iPhone or iPad, and it's by invite only, but you can join the app and choose a username, and at some point you'll probably get an invitation to join!

Clubhouse website/app link: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/

Join the InFluency community: https://goo.gl/68pqeF

More useful videos on English communications skills and fluency:

How to Make Everyone Want to Talk to You: https://theaccentsway.com/conversation-partner/
Why Perfectionism Will KILL Your Fluency: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/62/
How to get fluent in English? Identify your fluency needs FIRST! https://theaccentsway.com/fluent-english-wheel/
10 ways to DESTROY your English Fluency: https://theaccentsway.com/speak-english-fluently/
How To Get Over The Fear Of Being Judged When Speaking English: https://theaccentsway.com/speaking-with-confidence/

97. The Most Mispronounced Words in Tech – Part 2 Jan 22, 2021

Show notes

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words. This week we're going to talk about some of the most difficult words in tech for non-native speakers.

Missed the first part? Check it out! https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/95/

Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode:

Data: dey-duh [IPA: ˈdeɪɾə]
Silicon Valley: si-li-kaan va-lee [IPA: ˈsɪlɪkɑn ˈvæli]
Engineer: en-djuh-nir [IPA: ˌendʒəˈnɪɹ]
Product: praa-d'kt [IPA: ˈpɹɑːdəkt]
User experience (UX): yuw-z'r ik-spi-ri-y'ns [IPA: ˈjuːzəɹ ɪkˈspɪɹiəns]
Third party: th'rd paar-dee [IPA: θɜːɹd ˈpɑːɹɾi]
Application: ap-luh-key-sh'n [IPA: ˌæpləˈkeɪʃən]
Interface: in-t'r-feys [IPA: ˈɪntəɹfeɪs] or i-ner-feys [IPA: ˈɪnəɹfeɪs]
Model: maa-d'l [IPA: ˈmɑːdəl]
Module: maa-djuwl [IPA: ˈmɑːdʒuːl]
Security: suh-kyu-ruh-dee [IPA: səˈkjʊrəɾi]

If you want to improve your accent and understand spoken English better, download my free American Accent audio crash course: https://hadarshemesh.com/audio-accent-course/

You can also download an interactive list of 50 of the most mispronounced words in English and master the pronunciation of those tricky words: https://hadarshemesh.com/50-most-mispronounced-words/

Join our Facebook community to connect with non-native English learners from all over the world: https://hadarshemesh.com/influency-community/

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