by Vivienne Zhao | Feb 17, 2023 | Accent Facts, Blog, FAQ
The terms “accent” and “dialect” are often used interchangeably, but they shouldn’t be. Accent refers to the manner a language is spoken, including pronunciation and prosody features of one’s language production. Dialect, on the other hand, refers to a broader group...
by Vivienne Zhao | Feb 3, 2023 | Accent Facts, Accent Tips, Blog
In this article, I present to you the top 5 most frequently heard pronunciation errors that contribute to the “sexy French accent.” Oui oui 🇫🇷 1. /h/ or no /h/, that is the question The /h/ sound does not exist in French. Often, French speakers will either omit the...
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),...
