The InFluency Podcast

What makes a good English teacher? So many people settle for mediocre English teaching because it's comfortable and they don't believe they can find something better ? They keep taking English lessons with the wrong teacher because it's either close to home, it's familiar, it's cheap, they feel bad leaving the teacher, they don't need to do any research, or it simply allows them to stay in their c...

Download the script with my intonation & rhythm notes for effective practice : https://theaccentsway.com/rhythm/ In this episode you are going to learn: What is the secret of American rhythm and intonation? What are the things in American English that non-native speakers sometimes perceive as 'fake' and 'over-the-top', and how can we change this misperception? What makes a speech in English powerf...

Want to make small talk easy and effortless? What if I told you it is NOT about learning new phrases or questions or words? It's not about becoming fluent either. You don't need it to navigate small talk successfully… With one simple trick that you'll learn in the video (and a few other bonus tricks), you will no longer be afraid to have a conversation with a complete stranger in English. Listen t...

Oh my, you are going to WANT to watch this interview. In this episode, I talk to Samara Bay about the practice of how we SPEAK and how we get HEARD (with sprinkles of pronunciation). Samara is a Hollywood dialect coach for actors in television and film; among the actors she coached are Gal Gadot, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Penelope Cruz. And she is also the host of the wonderful podcast 'Perm...

In this episode, I'm sharing with you an article written by a Nigerian born queer writer based in Toronto. She wrote about the challenges and discrimination that a person with an accent faces. 'Accent Bias' article by Kimberly Ehigiator: https://medium.com/@kimberlyjoe/accent-bias-75b566ab5da4 Here's another related episode on How to Talk About Social Justice In English: https://hadarshemesh.com/p...

At times of injustice, we need to show solidarity, educate ourselves, and do our best to learn about people's suffering. In this episode, I offer a short lesson that will help you navigate the current discourse about social justice and racism in English. I also want to offer food for thought, talking about diversity among YouTube's English teachers. Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments...

Tired of theory and need the real deal?!? In this episode I share with you an in-depth vocabulary exercise that will help you learn and remember words and use them frequently. I based these drills on the understanding that there are many words you know but never use, for several reasons: – You're not confident PRONOUNCING them – They're not accessible (you forget to use them) – You don't feel conf...

To be a great Speaker you first have to be a great listener. In this episode I'm going to share FIVE TIPS that will help you improve your communication skills, become a great listener and an excellent conversation partner. Check out the magazine post to read more on the subject and watch my YouTube video – How to Make Everyone Want to Talk to You: https://theaccentsway.com/conversation-partner/ Jo...

Let's say you have a job interview tomorrow morning. And let's say you haven't reached your English breakthrough just yet, and you feel a little insecure about your English (and by little I mean you're so anxious you can't sleep). Since you don't have enough time to become 100% fluent overnight, but you have to look confident to get that job – here's what you're left with. You gotta FAKE IT. But h...

If you feel like your voice is soft, stuck, broken, nasal, partial, annoying, monotone, weak, strange, weird, or loud… I want you to take a moment and remember that your voice is probably the NUMBER ONE asset you have, that allows you to express yourself: who you are, what you want, what you think, where you're going. Now, I know that people don't always have access to vocal training, and have no...

Do you like the sound of your voice when speaking English? Do you feel that you use it to its full potential? Can people hear you well? I don't mean the metaphorical way of speaking "is your voice heard"' – I mean – is your voice carried across the room and gets into people's ears? Can you express different emotions using your voice? Do you feel that your voice is varied and interesting? Or is it...

Precious Vocabulary secrets here!! If you want to build your vocabulary fast and improve your speaking vocabulary, this episode is going to give you the most productive and effective ways to do that. In this episode, you will learn: – What words you ACTUALLY need to practice and learn. – A clear and simple technique for using new words when speaking – The things you should STOP doing so you can ac...

As non-native speakers we sometimes tend to settle for a basic word instead of a more specific, accurate, or sophisticated word. Yes, I get it. The reason why this happens is because we feel limited and bored with the words that are available to us. Of course, we know a lot more words in English, we just don't seem to use them as often. Watch my previous video about vocabulary to see why: https://...

Getting stuck in English is so frustrating!! There are many reasons why we get stuck when speaking a second language, and while we want to do the in-depth work so we can become completely fluent, we also need the tools to know what to do WHEN this is happening to you. (Guess what, you can come out of it like a winner!) In this episode, you'll learn: 1.  What to do when you get stuck 2.  How to pre...

Got a QUESTION about English? Pronunciation? Confidence? Ask Hadar! https://hadarshemesh.com/ask-hadar/ There are a lot of wonderful groups on Facebook whose goal is to allow people to practice their English, and as in the case of any other group online, there are some things you need to know, especially if you're a woman, in order to stay safe and active in the group. 1.   You don't need to put u...

Greg Smith is a public speaking coach and TEDx speaker. Author of the book 'Speak like a Pro Without Looking like a Jack@$$, a Practical Guide for Speaking Effectively in Any Situation'. Greg Works as an instructor in the School of Communication at Youngstown State University (Ohio, USA) and specializes in interpersonal communication and public speaking. In this episode, Greg and I dive into a dee...

Do you want to teach your kids English at home while you're in quarantine? In this episode I'm going to share a few tips on how to make English accessible, fun and simple for your children, nephews or neighbors' kids (without using screens and without spending too much money or time) and what is the best lesson you can teach your child (hint, it has nothing to do with grammar, pronunciation). Now,...

When our routine and life are disrupted, one of the first things that we might give up on is English practice. In this podcast episode I'm sharing with you a few tips on how you can keep an effective English practice routine even during challenging times of quarantines, lockdowns and social distancing. YouTube Practice playlists: https://bit.ly/34Hftfo How Small, Smart Choices Can Transform Your E...

What's the difference in pronunciation between 'origins' and 'oranges', and why is it so hard for president Trump to get it? The Daily Show held a contest of Trump's mispronounced words and 3,000,000 viewers cast their vote. The proud winner was the word 'ORANGES'. This episode is a pronunciation tutorial that explains the difference between 'oranges' and the word Trump initially meant to pronounc...

This is a personal episode where I talk about the things I've learned from the Loud and Proud 5-day fluency challenge, I reflect on the challenges the participants went through and share my own personal challenges as I was working on this project. This podcast episode was recorded in the midst of the Corona crisis that is happening now around the world, and exactly two weeks after we had completed...

It really feels like English is testing us sometimes. Why on earth is the "south" in "southern" pronounced differently from the word "south"? Seriously, haven't we suffered enough? In this episode, I'll tell you all you need to know about these two words and by the end of it, you'll know how to pronounce them correctly. Want to know how to practice pronunciation effectively? Check out this episode...

In this episode, I'm speaking with my student Paula De-Jesus who has transformed her English from being a beginner to a fluent and confident speaker (who now has her own YouTube channel in English!!). Today, you'll learn what she did. Learn more about Hadar's signature program: https://hadarshemesh.com/join/ Check out Paula's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDE7kSubbQ1895vGVm5m2I...

Download the Fluency Wheel What is fluency exactly? If you want to experience real growth you have to break it down to its different elements and do some soul-searching. In this episode, I'll share with you my fluency framework that will help you figure out the 6 elements you need to focus on to get on YOUR OWN way to fluency. This way, you can map out your strengths and weaknesses and learn what...

What happens when you make great progress in something, but then… You're stuck. You no longer move forward. It happens in so many different areas in life; losing weight, working out, in relationships… but also in English. You learn new words, build your confidence, improve your pronunciation… but after a while… you feel like nothing else is changing and again you find yourself on that silly hamste...

Everyone's talking about the Coronavirus! And if you had to talk about it in English, maybe you got stuck because you couldn't think of the right words. After all, it's not like you talk about epidemic related vocabulary every day. This is why I created this episode, to help you find the right words and get into the conversation! And on a more personal note… times are a little crazy – People are p...