The InFluency Podcast

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'spontaneous'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Spontaneous: spaan-tei-nee-y's [IPA: spɑnˈteɪniəs] Watch the video version here: https://h...

We hear a lot of false promises in English like "Get Fluent in 30 days!" or "Learn 1000 words in a month!". While we know that those are unrealistic, we still want fast solutions in English, because we are all busy people. We all know that language and fluency require time and work to really master. But, what if there was a way to see improvement in under 30 days? In this week's episode I'll share...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the words 'staff' and 'stuff'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Staff: staf [IPA: stæf] (but in British English: staaf [IPA: stɑːf] Stuff: stuhf [...

  Do you HAVE to live in an English-speaking country to achieve fluency? Do you think the best way to truly learn English is to move to a different country? Many people believe that unless they live in an English-speaking country, they'll never be fluent! This is a very common belief – that's not always true. In this episode, I'll share with you why you DON'T need to move to another country in ord...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'xenophobia'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Xenophobia: ze-nuh-fow-bee-yuh [IPA: ˌzɛn.əˈfoʊ.bi.jə] Watch the video version here: https:...

  What does it take to feel like you belong in a new place? In this episode I interview Alma Vivero, who immigrated to the US nine years ago. We talk about immigration, the feeling of belonging, and speaking habits that strengthened her English. Alma is a student of mine and is now an ambassador in my signature program, New Sound. #immigrant_experience If you like this episode, you'd love to meet...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the words '21th century' and '20th century'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: 21th century: twe-nee-f'rs(t) sen-chree [IPA: 'tweni fɜːɹst sentʃɹi]...

Does your mouth hurt when you speak English? Does your tongue feel too heavy, or your jaw too tight? These symptoms are quite common for speakers of English as a second language, but why? In this episode I discuss why that happens and what you can do to start speaking English effortlessly. I'll share some of the best exercises that worked for me and my students. We're opening doors for my NEW SOUN...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the words 'advice' and 'advise'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Advice: uhd-vais [IPA: ədˈvaɪs] Advise: uhd-vaiz [IPA: ədˈvaɪz] Watch the video...

Download free presentation-prep checklist: https://hadarshemesh.com/presentation-freebie/ Do you avoid giving a talk or a presentation in English? Does it feel the same when it comes to presentations in your first language as well? Many people find it hard to deliver a presentation, let alone a presentation in English. But in just a few steps, you can turn this experience upside down and no longer...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'symbol'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Symbol: sim-b'l [IPA: ˈsɪmbəl] Watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/...

I'm used to interviewing other people, whether it's colleagues or students, so it was refreshing to be interviewed by Orsi, an amazing student of mine and one of the ambassadors in my signature program, New Sound! In this interview, we discuss fluency, motivation, language, and identity. Are you ready to join the conversation? Watch the video version of the interview here:  https://hadarshemesh.co...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the words 'lunch' and 'launch'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Lunch: luhnch [IPA: ˈlʌntʃ] Launch: laanch [IPA: lɑːntʃ] or lawnch [IPA: lɔːntʃ]...

Have you heard of Binomial pairs in English? They are fun expressions in English that have a very special rhythm ? To see a list of some of the most popular binomial pairs and expressions go here: https://bit.ly/3OhlPqX Practicing the different rhythms of different types of expressions (and their meaning, of course) can really contribute to your fluency and comprehension in English. It's also FUN...

English words can be really challenging sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of challenging words and common names. This week we're going to talk about words with the P or B sound. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Pay: pei [IPA: pʰeɪ] People: pee-p'l [IPA: ˈpʰiːpəl] Picture: pik-ch'r [IPA: ˈpʰ...

Do you feel present in your day-to-day life? How about in English conversations – are you easily distracted, too focused on how YOU sound or worrying that you won't understand the other person? As speakers of English as a second language, we are often consumed with the fear of not being able to finish our thought, being misunderstood, or not understanding the other person. These fears have a huge...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'colonel'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: colonel: k'r -n'l [IPA: ˈkɜːɹnəl] Watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magaz...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'vulnerable'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Vulnerable: vuhl-nuh-ruh-b'l [IPA: ˈvʌlnəɹəbəl] Watch the video version here: https://hadar...

This month we celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride and call for the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of LGBTQ+ people. In this episode I explain some English terms that refer to the different minorities that make up the LGBTQ+ communities, so hopefully we can all be more informed when we use or come across these terms. Want to learn the meaning of the 'plus' in LGBTQ+ ? Visit my blo...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'equality'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Equality: i-kwaa-luh-tee [IPA: ɪˈkwɑləti] or i-kwaa-luh-dee [ɪˈkwɑləɾi] or uh-kwaa-luh-dee [I...

How productive are you when it comes to your English practice? Is it easy for you to stay focused, or do you get distracted often? Even if you practice English daily (and I hope you do!) – if you're not productive, you won't see the results you're after! In this episode, I share productivity tips that will help you see real progress, and sooner than you think! Want to learn more? Check out this: T...

English words can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words and common names. This week we're going to talk about the word 'acknowledge'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Know: now [IPA: noʊ] Knowledge: naa -l'dj [IPA: ˈnɑːlədʒ] Acknowledge: uhk- naa -l'dj [IP...

We grow up learning that to get what we want we have to work hard, behave well and do what other people want us to do. And because of that, sometimes we feel like we need to work really really hard to be worthy of the things we want. And you can BET this affects your experience speaking English. In this episode, I make the connection between feeling unworthy and why you're not seeing the results y...

English words can be really challenging sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing or challenging words. This week we're going to talk about words with TH+R clusters. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Three: three [IPA: θɹiː] Thrill: thril [IPA: θɹɪl] Through: thruw [IPA: θɹuː] You can w...

Join the Beyond Waitlist:  https://hadarshemesh.com/wait-beyond/ What is the best way to become fluent? Practice! But not every practice is equally effective. In this episode, I'm sharing with you my top 5 fluency practice strategies that my coaches and I have been using with our students for years, and that have gotten great results! Here's a short recap of my 5 fluency practice strategies: 1. Sp...