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 'focus'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Focus: fow -k's [IPA: ˈfoʊkəs] You can watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/ma...

Download my Analysis of Taylor Swift's Speech: https://hadarshemesh.com/taylor-swift-speech-analyses-pdf/ Listen to this episode to learn new phrasal verbs, understand connected speech, and ask the question with me – What makes a good speech a good speech? Because it's not just the words, it's how we say the words, as well. The words we choose to emphasize, the melody we use to tie it all together...

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 'interpretation' and 'interpret'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Interpretation: in-t'r-pruh-tei-sh'n [IPA: ɪntəɹpɹəˈteɪʃən] Interpret:...

Have you ever thought about the expectations you have of yourself when speaking English? And while there's a common belief that high expectations lead to great results – is that really true? In this podcast episode, I discuss how your expectations may affect your speaking experience, and may do more harm than good. More episodes on this topic: Why do I feel like a fraud every time I speak English?...

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 'quarter'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Quarter: kor-d'r [IPA: ˈkɔːɹɾəɹ] or kwor-d'r [IPA: ˈkwɔːɹɾəɹ] You can watch the video version...

Sometimes it's HARD to understand the lyrics of songs when you're listening to it for the first time. There's so much information coming your way – the melody, rhythm, stress, and of course words. Yet, I think it's such a great tool to use when practicing English. It strengthens not only our vocabulary but also our listening skills and pronunciation – especially when it comes to rhythm and connect...

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 'analysis', 'analyses', and 'analyze'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: analysis: uh-NA-luh-sis [IPA: əˈnæləsɪs] or uh-NA-luh-s's [IPA:...

As a speaker of English as a 2nd language, you simply CANNOT approach important speaking opportunities the same way you approach them when they're in your first language. You just can't. You don't want to survive in English. You want to thrive. In this episode I share 5 tips on how to prepare for any speaking opportunity in English so it'll set you up for success (and not failure). Get the 5 steps...

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 words with the NG sound. That's right, it's not a sequence of an N and a G sound. It's just one sound. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: sing: sing...

Do you like learning phrasal verbs in English? But how often do you USE phrasal verbs in English? One of the best ways to internalize phrasal verbs and use them more often when speaking is to practice them in context and attach some emotion to them – just like with any other vocabulary words in English! In this episode I share SIX of my favorite phrasal verbs that relate to when I get angry. I tal...

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 'question'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: question: KWES-ch'n [IPA: ˈkwestʃən] You can watch the video version here: https://hadarshem...

Want to improve your pronunciation fast? Join our 14-day 'How to Pronounce' Marathon! The marathon is going to happen on my INSTAGRAM page @hadar.accentsway where I'll be sharing a short explanation of how to pronounce tricky and challenging words. Why working on the pronunciation of single words is so useful: ? It helps you become more aware of the actual sounds in words (and not how you THINK th...

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 'serious' and 'series'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: serious: si-ɹee-uhs [IPA:], or si-ɹee-y's in connected speech series: si-ɹeez [...

Do you find it hard to let go of control? In life? In your relationships? In your work? You might feel like it has nothing to do with your English but it does. Because we carry this need to be in control when we speak English. What does that look like? – Not speaking before knowing exactly what you're going to say – Not pronouncing words you're uncertain of their pronunciation – Not using words yo...

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 'chocolate'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: chocolate: chaak-l't [IPA: ˈtʃɑːklət] You can watch the video version here:  https://hadarsh...

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 with the H sound as well as words with a silent H. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: hello: huh-low [IPA: həˈloʊ] hi/high: hai [IPA: haɪ]...

What does it take to feel safe and supported in your workplace or when immigrating to a new country? What is the right way to respond when you feel judged? Or criticized by others? What happens internally (and ultimately, how does it affect your communication abilities) when you feel stereotyped – only because English is not your first language? And why does it bother people when they're constantl...

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 'pretty'. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: pretty: pri-dee [IPA: ˈprɪɾi] You can watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/ma...

If English is not your native language, does that mean you have to compromise on the things you want to achieve in your life? Listening to the stories in this episode, you'll see that the answer is absolutely not. For my students who you will meet in this episode, English used to be a huge obstacle that was impossible to overcome. But with the right strategy, practice technique, and mindset, they...

Does a native accent guarantee ultimate confidence and freedom? Recently I've been getting a bunch of questions from people who want to speak with a native accent because they don't feel confident in English. But is that the solution? In this video, I'll answer that! I'll also share with you what has REALLY helped me and thousands of my students reach limitless fluency (Hint: YES it's about pronun...

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, common names, and expressions. This week we're going to talk about the words 'eventually' and 'actually'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: eventually: uh-ven-shuh-lee [IPA: əˈvenʃəli] or uh-ven-chuh-...

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, common names, and expressions. This week we're going to talk about the saying 'figure it out'. Here's a loose transcription of the saying as explained in the episode: Figure it out: fig-yuh-ruh-dawt [IPA: ˈfɪɡjər əɾ aʊt] or [IPA: ˈfɪɡjər...

How do you feel about yourself when you speak English? How do you handle criticism about your English? The way you experience your English is key to your communication, confidence, and growth as a speaker. In this episode I'll discuss two types of mindsets: fixed mindset and growth mindset, and how you can shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset in specific situations, so you can achieve mo...

Episode 200! Woo-hoo! In this podcast-convo, I'll share with you what I loved most about making the previous 200 episodes and what I'm hoping to do more in the next 200 episodes! I'll also share with you a list of the 10 most downloaded episodes of the InFluency podcast, and what I think about them!  And here they are!!  The Schwa: How One TINY Sound Can Make a HUGE Difference How to effectively p...

In this Immigrant Experience interview, we'll hear the story of Marcelo Silveira, who moved from Brazil to the U.S. for work. In this interview Marcelo openly talks about his experience as an immigrant and the rough start he had when he first moved to the U.S. He talks about the loss of identity as an immigrant and the need to reinvent himself. He also talks about what it was like to be facing sma...