Speech Modification SMART American Accent Training
This podcast provides training for fluent English speaking and advanced American accent practice. It uses shadowing, reductions, Flap T, and vowel drills to enhance pronunciation and fluency. The episodes focus on linking, contractions, and intonation to help learners sound like native speakers. It is designed for daily practice and includes personal accent training through an app.
Episodes
Fluent Speaking for Can Get a and Had a (shadowing, linking flap sounds)
Practice these common phrases to master linking the flap T and D sounds. Shadow me as I model the phrases "can get a" and "had a" in everyday langauge.
Fluent English Speaking for We'll and They'll (Shadowing Practice)
Learn how native English speakers reduce contractions like "we'll" and "they'll" in natural, fluent conversation!In everyday speech, native speakers rarely use full forms like "we will" or even fully stressed contractions ("wheel" /wiːl/ or "they'll" /ðeɪl/). Instead, these words reduce down to shorter, relaxed vowel sounds. Follow alon
Top American Accent Patterns: 2 Minute Practice
Practice 6 top American Accent Patterns in this quick listen and repeat practice!vowels /i/ and /ɪ/ as in "leave" and "live"Final T Linking (Flap T and Stop T)American R SoundsLax Vowels (æ ɛ ʊ ə)ContractionsFrequently mispronounced wordsFor a longer practice with repeats on these phrases, see this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6aZXHM6fxvwC7ki284fbRp?si=l8yfEWyFQqW9
Top American Accent Patterns: 8 Minute Practice
Practice 6 top American Accent Patterns in this quick listen and repeat practice!vowels /i/ and /ɪ/ as in "leave" and "live"Final T Linking (Flap T and Stop T)American R SoundsLax Vowels (æ ɛ ʊ ə)ContractionsFrequently mispronounced words👉 Get more practice like this and personalized training in our SMART American Accent App! https://studio.com/christine-dunbar/speechmodificati
Fluent Speaking: Of The, One of the Most Common 2-word combinations
In this listen and repeat shadowing practice for fluent English speaking, we combine commonly used words to practice saying "of the" smoothly and naturally. Phrases:One of theSome of theMany of theNone of theA couple of theGet more fluent English lessons in our online courses: https://courses.speechmodification.com/
Linking NG Sounds: Advanced Shadowing Practice
This practice provides a listen and repeat shadowing practice for smoothly linking words ending in "NG" /ŋ/ in common phrases. Sound more natural and correct this common accent error pattern with these exercises.Linking going, doing, leaving, walking, staying, trying, showing and working to words starting with vowels and consonant sounds. Practice 2 word phrases and longer sentences. Get
Fluent Speaking: Using Repeated Phrases for Intonation
In this advanced listen and repeat plus add-on practice, we use repeated phrases to help you internalize intonation patterns and speak more naturally and fluently. Repeating models and then using the same intonation patterns in your own phrases will help you move from just shadowing to a more advanced, integrated practice.Take this practice on the go and get the natural, fluent sound you want when
Using He'll and She'll for Fluent English Speaking
In this episode, we practice with how to use the contractions "he'll" and "she'll" in natural, fluent English. Get more help for linking and fluent speaking in our online courses: https://courses.speechmodification.com/
Top American Accent Patterns: Five Minute Practice
Practice 6 top American Accent Patterns in this quick listen and repeat practice!vowel ɪ as in "live"Flap T as in "water bottle"Voiced ð and Voiceless θ TH sounds Vowel æ as in "after that"Fluent Speech PracticeVowel SchwaSMART American Accent Training with SpeechModification.com.Get more help for American accent and English pronunciation in our online courses: https:
Top American Accent Patterns: One Minute Practice
Practice 6 top American Accent Patterns in this quick listen and repeat practice!vowel ɪ as in "live"Flap T as in "water bottle"Voiced ð and Voiceless θ TH sounds Vowel æ as in "after that"Fluent Speech PracticeVowel SchwaSMART American Accent Training with SpeechModification.com.Get more help for American accent and English pronunciation in our online courses: https:
Fluent Speaking: Using Have to and Has to
Use this advanced shadowing practice to correctly and fluently incorporate the phrases "have to" and "has to" into your speech. SMART American Accent Training with SpeechModification.com. Start your free trial of our courses: https://courses.speechmodification.com/
Advanced Fluency Practice: Vowel u/ʊ, articles and plurals (shadowing practice)
Practice shadowing for fluent speaking in this advanced lesson. We work on integrating the correct vowels for u and ʊ, plurals, and articles "a" and "the" in this podcast listen and repeat lesson. SMART American Accent Training with SpeechModification.com.Start your free trial of our courses: https://courses.speechmodification.com/
Fluent Speaking: Using You'll (clear and reduced)
In fluent speech, we contract "you will" to "you'll." It sounds like "yool" /jul/ when stressed, but is often reduced to "yull" in connected speech. Practice shadowing phrases with "you'll" in this listen and repeat lesson.
Fluent Speaking: Contractions with will (I'll you'll he'll she'll it'll that'll these'll those'll we'll they'll)
Master fluent speaking with contractions: how "I will" contracts to "I'll" and when it sounds like "aisle" and when it sounds like "ahll." Sound more like a native speaker with these contractions and reductions for fluent speech. Join me for a shadowing practice.
Fluent Speaking: Reduced are, his, her, your
In this shadowing lesson, we'll work on phrases "that is is, that is her, those are his, those are her" and "these are your" in fluent speaking.
Advanced Practice: Fluent Speaking "oo" and "yoo"
Practice using "oo" vs. "yoo" in mixed phrases with this advanced shadowing practice. We work on the understanding and using the correct patterns for words like Tuesday, YouTube, knew, communication and more!
More help for this topic: https://youtu.be/QKSJn6u_BSk
Fluent Speaking: Holiday Conversation Shadowing Practice
In this fluent speaking practice, you can shadow a short conversation about holiday plans.
Text:
Hi, how're you?
I'm fine, thanks, how're YOU doing?
Doing well. How were your holidays? Did you go anywhere?
They were great, thanks. We stayed in town. We had some family visiting for a few days.
That's always nice.
Yes, we hadn't seen my sister for a few months, and she has a new baby. Her older ki
Fluent Speaking: Shadowing Phrases for Reduced And & Or
In the fluent speaking shadowing practice, we work on naturally linking and reducing phrases with "and" and "or."
Shadowing Phrases with Was and Wasn't
In this shadowing practice, we work on fluent speaking for phrases with was and wasn't, as well as reduced her your their my and our.
Should've, Shouldn't've: Fluent Speech for Modal Verbs
In this listen and repeat shadowing practice, we use common phrases with should have (should've), would have (would've) and could have (could've), as well as the negatives shouldn't have (shouldn't've), couldn't have (couldn't've) and wouldn't have (wouldn't've). Practice integrating these contractions into fluent speech in short phrases.
Fluent Speaking: Shadowing Phrases for Reduced "His"
In fluent speech, we can sometimes reduce "his" to "iz." In this listen and repeat shadowing practice, we use common phrases to practice reduced "his" to increase your fluency and speak English like a native speaker.
Fluent Speaking: Shadowing Phrases for Reduced "Her"
In fluent speech, we can sometimes reduce "her" to "er." In this listen and repeat practice, we use common phrases to practice reduced "her" to increase your fluency and speak English like a native speaker.
You Tube Video: https://youtu.be/yIhgpWA8yok
Shadowing Practice: Words with "extra" syllables
One of the error patterns which is common for non-native speakers of English is to say an extra syllable in certain words. This usually occurs because the spelled word looks like it should have additional sounds/syllables, or the root word has a different syllable pattern.
Here are some words to work on, written so you can see the syllables:
Different DIF rint
Difference DIF rinss
General GEN rul
Fluent Speaking: Backwards Chaining Technique
In this lesson, we learn how to use Backwards Chaining to practice intonation. Listen and shadow to get natural sounding rhythm in fluent speech.
Shadowing: W and V, Backwards Chaining Intonation
In this fluent speaking practice, we use shadowing and backwards chaining to have perfect intonation, while working on integrating W and V sounds into fluent speech.
Shadowing Phrasal Verbs Practice
In this shadowing lesson, we work on intonation for verbs with and without phrasal verbs.
Here are the phrases we cover in this lesson:
That's where she ran. That's where she ran into it!
They play soccer after school. Just play along with it for now.
He walks to work every day. Let's walk through the notes.
I don't know where to look. She will look out for her younger brother.
TH Mixed Practice θ and ð For Fluent Speaking
Have difficulty integrating your TH sounds into fluent speech? This practice focuses on the most common words with TH at the start and ends, to help you use this sound correctly and fluently in connected speech.
Vowel Schwa /ʌ/ and Vowel "AH" /ɑ/: Advanced Shadowing Practice For Pronunciation and Fluency
In this advanced mix and match practice, we work on integrating vowel schwa and vowel /ɑ/ into phrases. Many speakers struggle with differentiating vowel schwa and vowel /ɑ/ as in "nut" and "not." In this listen and repeat practice, we use common phrases with these vowels to help you master the vowels in fluent speaking. For more basic practice and learning these two vowels, check out this video:
Fluent Speaking: Phrasal Verbs
In typical intonation patterns, we stress the last content word in a phrase, which is sometimes the verb. But in a phrasal verb, the meaning is contained in the preposition which follows the verb, so it gets the stress instead
of the verb. For example, we stress play in the phrase I like to play. But we stress out the phrase Let's see how it plays out.
Phrasal verbs covered: run into, play
Steel, Still, Stall: Final L and ST Blends Speaking Practice
In this lesson, we cover ST blends as well as how to pronounce words with Final L. Get pronunciation and fluent speech practice for these sounds. Shadow, list and repeat.
For visuals, see our video: https://youtu.be/6xSoxz7FUb4
Syllabic L (Learn and Shadow)
Sometimes, an L at the end of the word functions as a syllabic L. That is to say, it functions as a full syllable (a vowel and a consonant). It sounds like /əl/ or /ʊl/, with a the vowel being very short and reduced.
One strategy for making syllabic L sound natural is to practice using words with ʊl to shape the syllabic L. For words with ble, try saying bull, then shorten and reduce the vowe
Vowel /u/ and /ʊ/
In this lesson, we work on Vowel /u/ as in new shoe and vowel /ʊ/ as in good book. We'll practice phrases and sentences with minimal pairs like Luke and look, shooed and should, listen and repeat practice for fluent speech and shadowing. Check it out!
Video for this lesson: https://youtu.be/ftvQPdMe_OI
Fluent Speaking: Compound Nouns
Learn and practice the correct intonation patterns for compound nouns. Stress the first syllable or first word in a compound noun phrase.
repeated phrases: I need the, it's in the, where's my did you see the, what happened in the, what about the, see you by the
compound nouns: toothbrush classroom bookshelf waterfall football raincoat headache pancake moonlight newspaper jellyfish toothpa
Better, Water, Greater: Flap T
In this fluent speaking practice, we work on phrases with Flap T plus /ər/, like "better, water, lighter, and tighter." Listen and repeat everyday phrases with these words in this mix and match practice.
phrases: getting, it's been, it's gotten, I'm feeling
targets: better wetter water sweeter greater flatter tighter lighter
Video for this lesson: https://youtu.be/cd8lrclnO
Vowel /oʊ/ Linking Practice
Shadow, listen and repeat for Vowel O linking! When we link words ending with /oʊ/ to words starting with a vowel sound, we have a /w/ glide as we link between the vowel sounds. In this lesson, we practice fluently linking with vowel /oʊ/.
Fluent Speaking: u ʊ i ɪ & d Linking
In this mix and match fluent speaking practice, we focus on shadowing and listen and repeat for Vowels u ʊ i ɪ as well as linking unreleased /d/ sounds.
See the video for visuals: https://youtu.be/h9UYK5LK7co
Might Have (Might've): Fluent Speaking Practice
In this lesson, we look at fluent speaking for the phrases "might have" (might've, "MIGHduv") and "might not have" (might not've, "Migh(t)NAHduv). We'll learn how the stress pattern changes with different verbs, and do a listen and repeat practice for common sentences with these phrases. Also available as a video with visual supports on our YouTube ch
Quick Practice: Water (Flap T)
Practice pronouncing "water" with a Flap T like a native speaker in this fluent speech practice. Listen and repeat, practice slow speech, and shadowing for sentences to master the word "water" in American English.
Pronunciation Practice: sts words
Get practice tips and an extensive listen and repeat practice for words ending in -st and -sts, such as last and lasts, first and firsts, guest and guests. We'll work at the word, phrase and sentence level to build your skills with these plurals and present tense verb forms.
Flap T Shadowing Practice
In this lesson, we'll practice shadowing the Flap T in the middle of words and in linking, at the conversational level. Sound more natural and speaking more fluently in the American accent using this technique.
Fluent Speaking Practice: What are We, What are They, What are You
In this listen and repeat practice exercise, we work on fluent speech for the phrases "what are we" ("whudderwe"), "what are they" ("whudderthey"), and "what are you" ("whudderyou, whudderyuh").
