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 how to pronounce the words ' sell ' and ' sale '. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Sell: sel [IPA: sel] Sale: seil [IPA: seɪl] Did you know we're...

Build powerful language habits with me – join my new transformational program opening May 13: https://hadarshemesh.com/join/ Is there a right way to learn a language? No matter what your strategy is, learning a new language requires you to form a new set of habits. In this episode I'll discuss the 3 types of habits in language learning. Habits are a big part of our lives: they are the actions that...

In this episode, you're going to get invaluable tips from an expert copywriter, Licia Morelli , that will help you improve your written communication. Here's what we're going to talk about: How to be conversational in your writing Practical writing: formal and informal communication when sending emails, text messages, and more! 3 ways to practice written communication in English so you gain confid...

DOWNLOAD the PDF with the pronunciation drills in this episode : https://theaccentsway.com/10-min-pronunciation-drills/ This is the most challenging pronunciation practice I have created by far. I must admit, some of these drills were tricky for me too! But that's exactly what made it so much fun! So if you're up for a challenge, you HAVE to practice this with me. My pronunciation drills will help...

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 how to pronounce the word ' congratulations '. Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Congratulations: k'n-gra-djuh-lei-sh'nz [IPA: kənɡrædʒəˈleɪʃənz] If...

Is the phrase 'SOUND LIKE A NATIVE' motivating or inhibiting? Should people lose their accent so they can avoid bias and discrimination? What is the true goal when learning English? That, and more, in this exciting and fired-up conversation between Will and me – two speech coaches with different perspectives (or the same?)??. You can watch the original video interview here: https://bit.ly/3e2rKAb...

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. This week we're going to talk about how to pronounce the words "coffee" and "cafe". Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Coffee: kaa-fee [IPA: ˈkɑːfi] or kaw-fee [IPA: ˈkɔːfi] Cafe: ka-fei [IPA: kæˈfeɪ] D...

Did you know that words have… RHYTHM ? Maybe not like a pop song or jazz, but words have rhythm as a result of the stressed and unstressed parts in the word. Rhythm can help you significantly with your pronunciation and with understanding other people better. In this episode, I share with you why. To watch the video version and practice what you've learned in a list I created for you, head over to...

Speaking a second language can create insecurities, fears, and frustrations. These feelings sometimes pop up when we hear ourselves speaking, and we feel that we're far from the ideal we have in our mind. We listen to our English and determine if we're powerful or not. We allow these thoughts to define our identity and self-worth. But what if we looked at it from a different perspective? What if w...

If you've learned to dance, I assume it included moving your body and not just watching other people move, right? Same goes if you learned how to ride a bicycle or play the piano. Well, you know what? The same goes for learning English! If you want to become fluent – so fluent that you sometimes can't tell the difference between speaking in English or your native language because they both feel so...

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. This week we're going to talk about how to pronounce the days of the week . Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Day: dei [IPA: deɪ] Sunday suhn-dei [IPA: ˈsʌndeɪ] Monday: muhn-dei [IPA: ˈmʌndeɪ] Tuesday...

What are the words people struggle to pronounce the most? In this episode, I'll share with you the most searched 'how to pronounce' words on Google and talk about how to pronounce them. Since they appeared in the top searches, it seems that people – native and non-native speakers – are unsure of their pronunciation. And for a good reason – many of them have two different pronunciations! Here are 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. This week we're going to talk about how to pronounce the word " entrepreneur ". Here's a loose transcription of the word as explained in the episode: Entrepreneur: aan-truh-pruh-n'r [IPA: ˌɑːntrəprəˈnɜːr] or aan-truh-pruh-nur [IPA: ˌɑːnt...

One of the most challenging, and sometimes frustrating, aspects of English is predicting where the primary stress should be in a word. Primary stress is the one syllable in a word that sticks out the most: it's longer, louder, and higher in pitch. In this episode, we'll dive deep into the world of primary stress and I'll teach you, first, how to identify it, and then – how to predict it in some ca...

In this episode I answer a question from Juan Andres from Colombia who wants to understand why he feels different when he speaks English than when he speaks Spanish. In these Ask Hadar episodes I'm gonna answer, or at least share my perspective on some of your questions. Want me to answer your question on the podcast or IG? Send me your audio or video question here: https://hadarshemesh.com/ask-ha...

Should you let your English stop you? Rotem Alima , an Academy Award-winning film and television producer, thinks that's the last thing you should do. She also didn't let the fact that she's a brown, immigrant woman stop her from succeeding in the demanding Hollywood film and TV industry. For International Women's day, Rotem shares with us her story of how she moved from being insecure and ready 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. Next week we're going to celebrate Women's Day. The day when we use the words "woman" and "women"  more often to show our love and appreciation for all the women in our lives. So, if you still haven't figured out how to pronounce them ef...

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. This week we're going to talk about how to pronounce the words " costume ", " custom ", and " customs ". Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Costume: kaas-tuwm [IPA: ˈkɑːstuːm ] or kaas-tyuwm [IPA: ˈkɑː...

Ever felt stuck, not knowing what to do next to improve your fluency in English? NOT ANYMORE In this episode I'm gonna share with you 50 of my best English fluency tips so that you can become fluent in English, or any other language. I know, it may sound like a lot – but you don't need to use all of them, only the ones that you will enjoy. Remember, your English work HAS to be FUN! Watch the video...

English sounds can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words or sounds. This week we're going to talk about the L sound . Did you know that there are actually two L sounds in English? And did you know that getting it right is crucial for your clarity? Practice the L and see results! Download list...

The fear of speaking in a second language or in public can be crippling. That knot that pushes your words further down into your chest. Do you know it? We often think about these things as if they are OUR OWN issues. OUR problems, OUR English. But what if English is just a manifestation of something bigger that prevents us from speaking? What if our tendency to mute ourselves is not just English b...

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. This week we're going to talk about how to say 'Happy Valentine's Day'. To say "Happy Valentine's Day" you need to learn 2 important things: 1. How to pronounce the /a/ as in 'cat', and 2. Learn the difference between B and V (to all you...

English sounds can be really confusing sometimes. In these how-to-pronounce episodes published on Fridays, I'll help you with the pronunciation of confusing words or sounds. This week we're going to talk about the flap T and D, as in pairs like writer-rider, metal-medal, Adam-atom, or wedding-wetting? Have you ever noticed that these words sound the same? Listen to the episode to learn how to say...

What do you do when people criticize your English? Not in a good, loving way, but in a demeaning and patronizing way? When I get negative comments and criticism (and I do, a lot) I usually don't respond. But there was something about a comment I received on YouTube recently that triggered me, so I decided to respond. I wanted to do that so you'll see that I, too, receive negative feedback, and I d...

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. This week we're going to talk about the OW diphthong, as in the word 'GO'. Here's a loose transcription of the words as explained in the episode: Go: gow [IPA: goʊ] Know: now [IPA: noʊ] Only: own-lee [IPA: oʊnli] Lonely: lown-lee [IPA: l...