The InFluency Podcast

Latest Episodes:

96. How to ask questions in English so that people understand you | Intonation in English Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

Did you know that there's almost NO DIFFERENCE between intonation of a statement and a question?? No wonder it's hard to understand native speakers! In this episode you'll learn the difference between the intonation of statements, YES/NO questions, and WH questions, and you'll also get to practice it, so you can make it your own!

Download the practice sheet and audio to practice intonation of questions: https://bit.ly/3bU3mBs

Understanding the difference between statements and questions can really help you understand native speakers better, and more importantly to communicate clearly and effectively in English.

Want to hear my student's story on how he faced communication challenges with his American colleagues because of intonation? You can read all about it in my blogpost: https://bit.ly/38UFkEn And don't forget to download the practice sheet+audio: https://bit.ly/3bU3mBs

You can also subscribe to my newsletter to get my stories and video lessons every Tuesday: https://theaccentsway.com/

More episodes related to intonation:

American INTONATION – What They Don't Teach You in School https://theaccentsway.com/american-intonation/
How to Practice Your Intonation In English [Podcast] – https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/13/
How to sound like Reese Witherspoon https://theaccentsway.com/rhythm/
American Intonation and Public Speaking with Shonda Rhimes https://theaccentsway.com/shonda-rhimes-speech/
What makes a voice sound natural?? https://theaccentsway.com/natural-voice/

95. The Most Mispronounced Words in Tech – Part 1 Jan 15, 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.

To get the free pronunciation cheat-sheet and audio go to the magazine post here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/top-10-tech/

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

Algorithm: al-guh-ri-th'm [IPA: ˈælɡəˌɹɪðəm]
Developer: duh-ve-luh-p'r [IPA: dəˈveləpəɹ]
Editor: e-duh-d'r [IPA: ˈedəɾəɹ]
Automation: aa-duh-mey-sh'n [IPA: ˌɑːɾəˈmeɪʃən] or o-duh-mey-sh'n [IPA: ˌɔːɾəˈmeɪʃən]
Architecture: ar-ki-tek-ch'r [IPA: ˈɑːɹkɪtektʃəɹ]
Firewall: fai-y'r-waal [IPA: ˈfaɪəɹwɑːl] or fai-y'r-wol [IPA: ˈfaɪəɹwɔːl]
Hardware: haard-wer [IPA: ˈhɑːɹd weɹ]
Software: saaft-wer [ˈsɑːft weɹ] or soft-wer [ˈsɔːftweɹ]
Framework: freym-w'rk [IPA: ˈfreɪm wɜːɹk]
Server: s'r-v'r [IPA: ˈsɜːɹvəɹ]
Infrastructure: in-fruh-struk-ch'r [IPA: ˈɪnfɹəˌstrʌktʃəɹ]

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/

94. How to Pronounce Gal Gadot's name with an Israeli Accent Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

Gal Gadot's name pronunciation with an Israeli accent is quite different from how most English speakers pronounce it. And now that Wonder Woman 1984 is OUT, let's talk about how to pronounce Gal Gadot's name correctly. As an Israeli, I can't ignore the fact that the way English speakers pronounce her name is quite different than how we pronounce it in Hebrew. So today I'll teach you how to speak with an ISRAELI ACCENT But I'll also mention why I think Gal is so awesome when it comes to English.

Also, a few fun facts about Gal:

Her first name means 'wave' and her last name means 'riverbanks'
Gal Gadot is her REAL name
When she was 18 she was 'Miss Israel'
When she lived in Tel Aviv we lived 10 minutes away from each other
Samara Bay, a good friend and a guest on my channel was Gal Gadot's dialect coach on WW1984
I have yet to find someone who does a really good impression of Gal and her pronunciation. For example, this doesn't sound like an Israeli Accent to me: https://youtu.be/7Nv1KoqM6vc
In general I haven't found anyone pulling off a REALLY good Israeli accent. If you know of someone, let me know in the comments. Even though I coached most of Gal's Israel actor-friends, I never got to personally work with Gal

To watch the video version of the episode and check out the full clips shown in the video, go here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-pronounce-gal-gadots-name/

More useful episodes:?

The TRUTH About How We TALK And How We Get HEARD With Samara Bay: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-we-talk-with-samara-bay/ Speak English Like A Native Speaker – THE MYTH: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/speak-english-like-a-native-speaker-myth/ DON'T ASK me about my ACCENT: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/dont-ask-about-my-accent/ This Really Helped Me Become Fluent: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/this-helped-me-become-fluent/

93. How to pronounce 'Resolution' Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Resolution: ruh-zuh-luw-sh'n [IPA: rezəˈluːʃən]

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/

92. 5 things I wish I knew about English Fluency when I was 20 Dec 29, 2020

Show notes

What if I told you that improving your ENGLISH is NOT about English? Being able to grow and improve in a second language requires something more than awesome English lessons – it requires a certain identity that will allow you to overcome the mental, psychological, and physical barriers of speaking a second language, so you can step into your full potential in English in the coming year.

In this episode, I'll talk about the 5 traits you need to assume if you want to speak English with clarity, confidence, and with ZERO self-judgment. This is Part 2 of the end-of-the-year series. Check out Part 1 (a year in review) here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/90/

Download our free workbook to review and plan your coming year: https://theaccentsway.com/year-in-review-2020/

Once you're done listening to this episode, answer one of these questions in the comments:

? From the 5 things that I've discussed, what are you going to focus on most in the next 12 months? ? What would your ideal year look like? ? What is your big scary goal for the next 12 months?

More episodes about Fluency:

This Really Helped Me Become Fluent: https://theaccentsway.com/this-helped-me-become-fluent/
Why Perfectionism Will KILL Your Fluency: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/62/
#1 STRATEGY of becoming FLUENT in English: https://theaccentsway.com/fluency-strategy/
How to get fluent in English? Identify your fluency needs FIRST! https://theaccentsway.com/fluent-english-wheel/

More about the Compound Effect:

The Compound Effect in English https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/15/
How to stay MOTIVATED when learning ENGLISH | 5 ground rules: https://theaccentsway.com/motivation-in-english/

91. Learn English Intonation & Rhythm with Bill Murray Dec 24, 2020

Show notes

Let's learn how to stress words in English and how to use American intonation as we analyze a monologue by Bill Murray from the final scene of the movie Scrooged.

Download and practice with my visual script: https://bit.ly/2WH1x1G To watch the original episode go to the Accent's Way magazine: https://bit.ly/37J64Hq

Merry Christmas! ?

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/

90. FINALLY FLUENT in English in 2021 | Part 1 Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

Are you ready to make 2021 better than 2020?

The end of the year is a good time to review the passing year and reflect on your English fluency experience and journey. You want to acknowledge your successes and let go of what's holding you back. In this episode I'll guide you on how to do a year in review so you can finally feel 100% expressive and free in English in 2021.

Download our free YEAR-IN-REVIEW workbook to review and plan your year: https://theaccentsway.com/year-in-review-2020/

This is part one. In part 2 (released on December 28) I'll discuss the 5 things *no one talks about* but are CRUCIAL for you, if you want to reach an English breakthrough in 2021 and Beyond.

Quick navigation: 05:17 My experience of 2020 09:38 A year in review: questions to answer

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/

89. Practice Your Christmas Vocabulary + Pronunciation! Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

The holiday season is here so it's a good opportunity to learn and practice how to pronounce some of the most commonly used words and greetings of this season! Here are the words and greetings I discuss in this podcast episode:

3:38 Christmas 4:34 Holiday(s) 5:58 New Year 8:02 Santa Claus 9:10 Reindeer 9:27 Mistletoe 10:12 Eggnog 10:35 Mitten(s) 11:58 Carol(s) 12:27 Sleigh 12:43 Wreath 14:12 'Happy holidays!' 14:49 (extra, non-related) Facetious 16:06 Resolution 16:49 'Best wishes for a wonderful year ahead!' 17:10 'Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!' 17:21 'Good tidings to you!' 17:40 'May you have a great year!'

And may you have a great year, and love, prosperity, and health!

Here are the materials I mentioned in the episode:

The Schwa: How One TINY Sound Can Make a HUGE Difference https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/09/
Pronunciation, Grammar and Confidence in English – You ask, I answer! https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/88/
The American T sound https://theaccentsway.com/how-to-pronounce-american-t-sound/
How to pronounce Santa Claus https://youtu.be/BMfEUlV7N5s

+2 extra episode about how to ?your vocabulary:

Want to improve your speaking vocabulary? STOP LEARNING NEW WORDS: https://theaccentsway.com/improve-speaking-vocabulary/
How To Learn New Vocabulary? Build Pronunciation Confidence: https://theaccentsway.com/how-to-learn-new-vocabulary/

88. Pronunciation, Grammar and Confidence in English – You ask, I answer! Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

One of my favorite things to do is to answer the questions of my students and audience, and in this episode this is exactly what I'm going to do. And if you know me by now, you know that to every question there's always more than just a simple answer. This is why I'm sure you'll find something valuable for you (even though it wasn't you who asked the question).

If you want to ask me a question, you can submit it here: https://hadarshemesh.com/ask-hadar/

Here's the list of the questions with timecodes:

6:18 - Wei Zeng "My problem is I can't use he/she and his/her correctly without thinking in speaking. It sounds silly. Could you give me some suggestions or design a drill to improve it?"

18:11 - Tomoko Nakayama "How do you pronounce 'year'? It's so hard to pronounce 'year'. My 'year' sounds like 'ear', and I keep practicing it."

23:17 - Nejla Yber "I'm from Turkey and I'm living in Seattle, WA, for about 5 years. l went to ESL class but l could not finish because l started work. Now l have more time to study but I cannot concentrate on it. Please tell me, how can l write and speak clearly English?"

List of the episodes and useful resources mentioned:

Sprint: Boost your English with this Effective Pronunciation Practice! https://youtu.be/gNAbdeTA10Y
How to Practice Pronunciation Effectively? https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/21/
How to use GOOGLE to improve your pronunciation https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-pronounce-any-word-in-english/
How to stay MOTIVATED when learning ENGLISH | 5 ground rules https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/motivation-in-english/
Improve your Pronunciation FOR FREE!! https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/practice-on-your-own/
How to say EAR, YEAR and HERE https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/ear-year-here/

87. Master the Flap T and R transition Dec 11, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, you're going to master the flap T and R transition in American English. I'll teach you how to pronounce it with an American accent, and then how to practice it effectively! Don't forget to download my freebie and get a list of words and sentences with flap T + R along with an audio practice: https://theaccentsway.com/flap-t-r/

Learn the American 'R': https://theaccentsway.com/the-american-r/

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/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected