Your path to a more confident speaking future begins with a speech/sound assessment that recognizes your current strengths and specific needs for improvement.

There are many factors that can cause unintelligible speech which can be related to:  foreign accent, regional dialect, intonation, a rapid rate of speech, voice quality and how speech sounds are physically produced. You will be given a formal evaluation which involves speech in conversation, reading samples and standardized testing. The results will allow us both to understand what areas we need to focus on to develop appropriate goals. This usually requires about an hour to an hour and a half which includes initial feedback. My extensive training allows me to use the latest techniques in accent modification and clinical expertise (I am a licensed speech and language pathologist) to identify and correct if necessary any other underlying speech issues that may prevent you from being clearly understood (additional sessions may be required). 

Accent Modification Starter Program:

• Program includes three individual session at our Southampton, PA location or three Skype sessions

• Includes initial accent assessment screening
• Includes print and audio materials to practice between sessions
  

The Standard Basic Training Program:

Begins with a formal report that includes your individualized action plan and detailed specific interventions.

The Basic Training usually consists of thirteen hours (may vary slightly based on need) with close individual support and instruction that targets:

• Improvement in utilizing Standard American English consonants and vowels.
• Greater awareness and improvement in effective speech rate, rhythm and intonation patterns.
• Customized practice of words and phrases used professionally by the learner.
• The use of commercially produced audio recording and software for self-directed practice between instructional sessions.
• The use of your own video and audio recordings for additional review and reinforcement.
• Standard Basic Training Bonus: Up to three telephone or Skype follow-up consultations, initiated by the learner, to ensure maintenance of newly learned skills after completion of training at no additional charge.

 

Final Speech analysis will include:

• Post testing to assess the progress made in the critical areas of pronunciation, intonation, voice and effective communication.

What can graduates of the Basic Training program expect?

• Speak with 50%-75% fewer pronunciation errors
• Be consistently understood by listeners
• Make more effective presentations
• Talk more  clearly on the telephone
• Communicate with greater confidence
• Certificate of Completion

Who does this program specifically benefit?

• Individuals who seek to  advance in their careers; those who have apprehension about maintaining their current positions because their speech is not understandable, due to a foreign accent or dialectical differences.

• Employers concerned about staff with speech intelligibility problems who can otherwise offer extremely valuable, productive and creative contributions to their company, hospital or university settings.
• Improved social interaction with people accustomed to speaking standard American English.

Note: Many people who have a foreign accent or regional dialect feel a sense of pride and have a closer connection to family members and close friends who share their accents or regional dialect. Many feel their accents add charm to their speech and do not want to lose how they spoke before accent training. Our accent modification program does not remove your ability or choice to speak with your accent or regional dialect. It just provides the option and freedom for you to choose to speak more clearly and effectively using standard American English. For example, if someone speaks English and chooses to learn how to speak French, learning French and even speaking French with a French accent does not interfere with speaking English as well as before learning to speak French. You can automatically at will change as needed.

Instructional/Location Options:

• Settings:
•  Location in Southampton, Pennsylvania
• Your place of employment within 20 miles of Southampton, PA.
• Cost of this service varies with distance
• Use of Skype- naturally at whatever location works best for you

Scheduling:

• Flexible scheduling to accommodate the client and employer’s schedule and work load.

Cost for instruction/report:

• We encourage anyone interested in improving their communication skills for career and social enhancement to contact us about cost. Our goal is to further your progress and encourage you to invest in your future wisely. We seek to meet the gamut of needs from large corporations to individuals just starting out seeking a brighter career path and future.