The Articulate Advantage:

Nov 16, 2008:

It is a fact.  We are in diverse workplaces.
There are many professionals who speak accented English.  Not only with “foreign” accents, there are also “regional” accents, ……
The ones who have English as their first language …
You know, the folks from New York City or New Orleans, the British or Aussies, and are usually understood by other professionals across the world.

Then we have the people who speak English as their “other” language among two or more.  This comprises a very large group of professionals working internationally.

Here, we will be addressing various components of “accent” in both sets of English speakers.

The accent components will also be combined with everyday situations for speaking within your business, professionals and business-social settings.

I will also offer you recommendations for books, community involvement and video reviews.  We will use business, technology, finance and presentation aspects to make it more meaningful.

Segments to be included:
•    Sports!:  Names of teams in specific leagues.  Positions, players, etc.  How to pronounce these.  Also, sports slang and references
•    Business networking:  What are the basic rules and what to say.
•    Business / job interview scripts and accent struggles in these.
•    Menu Madness:  How to pronounce items on various menus’
•    How to answer questions at business meetings.
•    Listening to win.  Strategies to understand what others are saying.
•    Body Language: Reading the moves of others correctly and making appropriate of your own.
•    Strategic English sound targets for:  English speakers of Chinese, Southeast Asia languages, Japanese, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, Russian, et al
You will have enough to make it a challenge, yet enough to be immediately incorporated into your daily life.

I would really appreciate hearing about any of your recommendations as well.   Phyllis