Say It Like a Native Speaker
Here is a word to practice the “D” sound. DELICIOUS is spelled in a way that looks like you might pronounce it “dee-lee-see-yoos” – but it’s actually pronounced ‘d’LISH-us.
Why We Have Accents When We Speak a New Language
When we speak a new language, why don’t we sound like a native? Why, for example, do most Americans speaking French still sound American? The answer mainly lies in where you place your tongue to say a sound.
Everyday Words Often Mispronounced
In English, many words are spelled with 3 syllables but pronounced with only 2 syllables. “Different,” for example, is written with 3 syllables but it is not pronounced “diff-er-ent,” but “DIFF-rent.” The stress falls on the first syllable and the second is reduced....
Accent on English | April 2020 Newsletter
This past month several students came up with new projects and sent me their rough drafts – an article, video project, and audio recording -- to edit for clarity, brevity, and natural language. Keep in mind that Soho Language Group provides not only English classes...
“Discover” – How the word works and doesn’t work in English
The first month of 2020 (twenty-twenty) has just finished! It’s been a busy month, but with 11 more months to go, the year is still new enough to wish everyone a Happy New Year – one full of joy, travels, and discovery … Speaking of discover, English has several verbs...
Hyperbole: Using Unbelievably Enthusiastic Words in Everyday English
hyperbole — or exaggerated speech — is absolutely necessary in American English if you want to sound positive or enthusiastic or otherwise make yourself clear. Without that extra assurance, you might leave the wrong impression.
Cultural Differences: What Americans Really Mean When They Ask, “How are you?”
A young French woman on an exchange program in New York walked into a clothes store on Fifth Avenue one afternoon. A salesperson greeted her with, “How are you today?” “I was shocked!” she told me, a day later. “Why is that so shocking?” I asked. “But that lady...
How Companies Can Benefit by Providing English Classes to Foreign Employees
The profiles below, composites of people I have taught, show some of the different ways a private English teacher can boost an employee’s abilities and bring value to the company.
Gad is Great … at Embracing American English
As a way to improve your non-native skills in English, it may seem a little funny for me to be promoting a Moroccan-French standup comedian and his show on Netflix, but voila! The one-hour comedy special (all in English), “My American Dream,” features the fun, funny,...
Read My Lips: Why Foreign Speakers Should Open Their Mouths To Be Understood
The sounds of the English language force speakers to open their mouths. Think of the phrase, “Oh my god,” in which each word, particularly the last, gives a full, tongue-revealing flash.