• This L Is Causing Accent Problems
    Feb 28 2025

    If you want to know what sounds you are mispronouncing in English, there is a FREE pronunciation test you can take (and get some free premium access too for extra practice) with ELSA: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    To be clear: I've found ELSA to be great at specific, individual sounds (e.g., "lock" vs "luck", or "sit" vs "seat"); it struggles a bit more with sentence level reductions and stress. However, for a quick few minutes of practice on sounds you find difficult, I think you'll find ELSA helpful. Take advantage of the discount they've made for you above!

    *
    When it comes to creating change in your pronunciation, you have to be careful of consonant sounds in American English! You could be pronouncing your vowels perfectly, but if the consonant itself is not kept in check, it can completely change how your word sounds--and not for the better. Let's look at some examples that involve L linking

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    Wednesdays, 11AM-12:15PM New York, we hold a weekly small group class, practicing using a text to practice all aspects of pronunciation.

    And you're invited!

    If you're interested in American English, sounding natural, and finding ways to express yourself like native speakers, this is the weekly class for YOU!

    You'll practice saying phrases, get feedback to learn which sounds/parts of pronunciation to target, and hear native and nonnative examples to know what to do/what to avoid

    And if that interests you, register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21550696&appointmentType=73697867

    5 seats maximum every Wednesday. Sections of class may be posted to socials.

    See an example of what it is like here: https://youtu.be/9Neg_uHJYmw

    *

    Welcome to Wake Up American, where Monday through Friday, we spend a couple minutes on a challenging aspect of American English pronunciation and walk through examples to help you achieve a more natural sound the next time you speak in American English at work, at home, or out and about town.

    See all the episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA83m7lXmjQ&list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhtU6hvocUB69VuvfWZkgZu

    ❗❗❗❗❗❗
    JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEo

    Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.

    Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mssion: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7

    #fluentamerican #americanenglish #wakeupamerican

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    10 mins
  • Your Consonants (B, C, D, F...) Are Giving You An Accent
    Feb 27 2025

    Download a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcast

    If you want to know what sounds you are mispronouncing in English, there is a FREE pronunciation test you can take (and get some free premium access too for extra practice) with ELSA: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    To be clear: I've found ELSA to be great at specific, individual sounds (e.g., "lock" vs "luck", or "sit" vs "seat"); it struggles a bit more with sentence level reductions and stress. However, for a quick few minutes of practice on sounds you find difficult, I think you'll find ELSA helpful. Take advantage of the discount they've made for you above!

    *
    When it comes to creating change in your pronunciation, you have to be careful of consonant sounds in American English! You could be pronouncing your vowels perfectly, but if the consonant itself is not kept in check, it can completely change how your word sounds--and not for the better. Let's look at some examples

    *

    Wednesdays, 11AM-12:15PM New York, we hold a weekly small group class, practicing using a text to practice all aspects of pronunciation.

    And you're invited!

    If you're interested in American English, sounding natural, and finding ways to express yourself like native speakers, this is the weekly class for YOU!

    You'll practice saying phrases, get feedback to learn which sounds/parts of pronunciation to target, and hear native and nonnative examples to know what to do/what to avoid

    And if that interests you, register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21550696&appointmentType=73697867

    5 seats maximum every Wednesday. Sections of class may be posted to socials.

    See an example of what it is like here: https://youtu.be/9Neg_uHJYmw

    *

    Welcome to Wake Up American, where Monday through Friday, we spend a couple minutes on a challenging aspect of American English pronunciation and walk through examples to help you achieve a more natural sound the next time you speak in American English at work, at home, or out and about town.

    See all the episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA83m7lXmjQ&list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhtU6hvocUB69VuvfWZkgZu

    ❗❗❗❗❗❗
    JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEo

    Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.

    Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mssion: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7

    #fluentamerican #americanenglish #wakeupamerican

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    9 mins
  • Repeat-After-Me Shadowing English Speaking Practice
    Feb 26 2025

    Get ELSA for free with a week to try premium membership--plenty of time to find the pronunciation areas YOU need to target for your own accent: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    Repeat-After-Me Shadowing English Speaking Practice shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio, pause, and repeat what you hear. Try to use the same pronunciation, intonation, stress, pitch patterns, and linking that you find native English speakers use; record yourself and compare the differences.

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • When O Sounds Like L
    Feb 25 2025

    If you want to know what sounds you are mispronouncing in English, there is a FREE pronunciation test you can take (and get some free premium access too for extra practice) with ELSA: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    To be clear: I've found ELSA to be great at specific, individual sounds (e.g., "lock" vs "luck", or "sit" vs "seat"); it struggles a bit more with sentence level reductions and stress. However, for a quick few minutes of practice on sounds you find difficult, I think you'll find ELSA helpful. Take advantage of the discount they've made for you above!

    *

    Download a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcast

    *
    When it comes to the /ou/ vowel sound in American English, like "go" or "slow", sometimes learners confuse it with the dark L sound. Here are some things to watch out for!

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    Wednesdays, 11AM-12:15PM New York, we hold a weekly small group class, practicing using a text to practice all aspects of pronunciation.

    And you're invited!

    If you're interested in American English, sounding natural, and finding ways to express yourself like native speakers, this is the weekly class for YOU!

    You'll practice saying phrases, get feedback to learn which sounds/parts of pronunciation to target, and hear native and nonnative examples to know what to do/what to avoid

    And if that interests you, register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21550696&appointmentType=73697867

    5 seats maximum every Wednesday. Sections of class may be posted to socials.

    See an example of what it is like here: https://youtu.be/9Neg_uHJYmw

    *

    Welcome to Wake Up American, where Monday through Friday, we spend a couple minutes on a challenging aspect of American English pronunciation and walk through examples to help you achieve a more natural sound the next time you speak in American English at work, at home, or out and about town.

    See all the episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA83m7lXmjQ&list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhtU6hvocUB69VuvfWZkgZu

    ❗❗❗❗❗❗
    JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEo

    Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.

    Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7

    #fluentamerican #americanenglish #wakeupamerican

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    10 mins
  • One QUICK Change To Sound Natural In English
    Feb 24 2025

    If you want to know what sounds you are mispronouncing in English, there is a FREE pronunciation test you can take (and get 7 days premium access to get some practice in too) with ELSA: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    To be clear: I've found ELSA to be great at specific, individual sounds (e.g., "lock" vs "luck", or "sit" vs "seat"); it struggles a bit more with sentence level reductions and stress. However, for a quick few minutes of practice on sounds you find difficult, I think you'll find ELSA helpful. Take advantage of the discount they've made for you above!

    *

    Sentence stress is done by raising the pitch of the stressed word. However, there is an issue a lot of English learners encounter with this!

    *



    Wednesdays, 11AM-12:15PM New York, we hold a weekly small group class, practicing using a text to practice all aspects of pronunciation.

    And you're invited!

    If you're interested in American English, sounding natural, and finding ways to express yourself like native speakers, this is the weekly class for YOU!

    You'll practice saying phrases, get feedback to learn which sounds/parts of pronunciation to target, and hear native and nonnative examples to know what to do/what to avoid

    And if that interests you, register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21550696&appointmentType=73697867

    5 seats maximum every Wednesday. Sections of class may be posted to socials.

    See an example of what it is like here: https://youtu.be/9Neg_uHJYmw

    *

    Welcome to Wake Up American, where Monday through Friday, we spend a couple minutes on a challenging aspect of American English pronunciation and walk through examples to help you achieve a more natural sound the next time you speak in American English at work, at home, or out and about town.

    See all the episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA83m7lXmjQ&list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhtU6hvocUB69VuvfWZkgZu

    ❗❗❗❗❗❗
    JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEo

    Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.

    Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7

    #fluentamerican #americanenglish #wakeupamerican

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • What Happens To The 'T' In "Sort Of"?!
    Feb 21 2025

    Download a free podcast/audio/mp3 at www.fluentamerican.com/podcast

    When it comes to phrases like "sort of" and "order up", the T and D sounds can be a bit confusing! The reason: they aren't really pronounced like the T and D in most languages, largely because the vowels will get the focus, not the consonants. So, let's look at fast d/flap t situations! Here are some tips to getting these words sounding more natural in American English pronunciation

    *
    If you want to know what sounds you are mispronouncing in English, there is a FREE pronunciation test you can take (and get 7 days premium access to get some practice in too) with ELSA: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    To be clear: I've found ELSA to be great at specific, individual sounds (e.g., "lock" vs "luck", or "sit" vs "seat"); it struggles a bit more with sentence level reductions and stress. However, for a quick few minutes of practice on sounds you find difficult, I think you'll find ELSA helpful. Take advantage of the discount they've made for you above!

    *

    Wednesdays, 11AM-12:15PM New York, we hold a weekly small group class, practicing using a text to practice all aspects of pronunciation.

    And you're invited!

    If you're interested in American English, sounding natural, and finding ways to express yourself like native speakers, this is the weekly class for YOU!

    You'll practice saying phrases, get feedback to learn which sounds/parts of pronunciation to target, and hear native and nonnative examples to know what to do/what to avoid

    And if that interests you, register here: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21550696&appointmentType=73697867

    5 seats maximum every Wednesday. Sections of class may be posted to socials.

    See an example of what it is like here: https://youtu.be/9Neg_uHJYmw

    *

    Welcome to Wake Up American, where Monday through Friday, we spend a couple minutes on a challenging aspect of American English pronunciation and walk through examples to help you achieve a more natural sound the next time you speak in American English at work, at home, or out and about town.

    See all the episodes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA83m7lXmjQ&list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhtU6hvocUB69VuvfWZkgZu

    ❗❗❗❗❗❗
    JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: https://youtu.be/FDwPuwstUEo

    Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.

    Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlZ0dlSbrSXhxuga9nOujvx6FL9LU22h7

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • Girl/World: How To Make Difficult Words EASY To Say
    Feb 20 2025

    When it comes to R + L combinations in English, like "girl" and "world" so many learners from different languages are struggling! Here are some tips to getting these words sounding more natural in American English pronunciation

    *
    If you want to know what sounds you are mispronouncing in English, there is a FREE pronunciation test you can take (and get 7 days premium access to get some practice in too) with ELSA: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    To be clear: I've found ELSA to be great at specific, individual sounds (e.g., "lock" vs "luck", or "sit" vs "seat"); it struggles a bit more with sentence level reductions and stress. However, for a quick few minutes of practice on sounds you find difficult, I think you'll find ELSA helpful. Take advantage of the discount they've made for you above!

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • ADVANCED SHADOWING American English Speaking Exercise
    Feb 19 2025

    Get ELSA for free with a week to try premium membership--plenty of time to find the pronunciation areas YOU need to target for your own accent: https://bit.ly/ELSAxFLUENTAMERICAN

    Find mp3 versions of our exercises here: www.fluentamerican.com/podcast

    American English shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio, pause, and repeat what you hear. Try to use the same pronunciation, intonation, stress, pitch patterns, and linking that you find native English speakers use; record yourself and compare the differences.

    Support the show

    Show more Show less
    6 mins