by Vivienne Zhao | Nov 12, 2022 | Accent Facts, Accent Tips, Blog, FAQ
“Wow, I had no idea I was saying it differently until you pointed it out!” This is common feedback from my clients after their accent assessment. As non-native speakers of English, you’re likely aware of some sounds you struggle with, such as the “th” or the...
by Vivienne Zhao | Oct 10, 2022 | Accent Facts, Accent Tips, Blog, FAQ
“How much should I practice to reduce my accent?” is a very frequently asked question from my clients. To answer this question, we first need to understand the principles of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to form new...
by Vivienne Zhao | Sep 18, 2022 | Accent Facts, Blog, FAQ
There exist many misconceptions about accents and accent training. In this article, I will bust some frequently-encountered myths. Myth #1 – It’s difficult/impossible to change my accent Have you been trying to improve your English pronunciation and accent by...
by Vivienne Zhao | Aug 6, 2022 | Accent Facts, Blog
The smallest bone in the human body is the stirrup, which is located in the ear. Teachers are most at risk for developing a voice disorder due to overuse. Many famous people have or had speech and language disorders, including U.S. President Joe Biden (stutter),...
by Vivienne Zhao | Jul 17, 2022 | Accent Facts, Blog, FAQ
I’m sure that ESL learners can all agree that pronunciation is the most difficult part of the English language. Why is that so, you may wonder? There are a few reasons, but one of the biggest culprits is the English vowels. In this article, I give you four ways...
by Vivienne Zhao | Jun 5, 2022 | Accent Facts, Blog, FAQ
What exactly is an accent? As an accent coach, this is another frequently asked question, not by my clients per se, but by the general public and “allied professionals,” such as English teachers. There are, in effect, two separate questions. Allow me to answer both in...
