Accent Coaching
IS YOUR SPOKEN ENGLISH CLEAR?
If you are often asked, "Can you repeat that?", then your spoken English may not be listener-friendly.
When people have to work hard to understand you, that can be frustrating, both for you and for them. What’s more, if you are challenging to understand, it may impact your career growth and your social life.
If you are often asked, "Can you repeat that?", then your spoken English may not be listener-friendly.
When people have to work hard to understand you, that can be frustrating, both for you and for them. What’s more, if you are challenging to understand, it may impact your career growth and your social life.
I would strongly recommend Well Said Coaching, especially my teacher, Karen Schiff! I was very insecure before my lessons and was having issues with people understanding me at work. She was able to focus on my weaknesses and developed a plan that helped me tremendously. - Yojanna D. (Spanish speaker)
A SMART, TARGETED APPROACH TO ACCENT COACHING
Using the latest research and evidence-based techniques, we help you clarify your accent, not eliminate it.
Depending on your goals and your speech, your personalized, private lessons will cover:
Using the latest research and evidence-based techniques, we help you clarify your accent, not eliminate it.
Depending on your goals and your speech, your personalized, private lessons will cover:
- the "Music of English" (key rhythmic features as pace and stress)
- final intonation patterns that help you communicate emotion, attitude and energy
- specific vowel or consonant sounds that impact your clarity
Karen customized my course based on my need, which has the biggest ROI for my time. In addition, Karen's course is very interactive and fun, one hour session went so quickly because I am so focused on the learning. By the end, I felt much more confident to speak in public with clarity. -- Jun Z (Mandarin Speaker)
Accent Coaching Packages & Rates
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Please see our current packages and rates.
Please see our current packages and rates.
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH PACKAGE TO CHOOSE?
Start with a free consultation to learn more and discuss your goals with Karen. She will help you choose the right package.
Start with a free consultation to learn more and discuss your goals with Karen. She will help you choose the right package.
Your Well Said Coach
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Your Well Said Coach, Karen Schiff, is a native English speaker, communications expert, and former professional actress. She earned her certification in TESL from the University of California Berkeley extension, her B.S. in Speech from Northwestern University and her M.A. in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. Since 2017, she has helped hundreds of English speakers from over 25 countries speak English more clearly and more confidently.
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QUESTIONS?
Please read the FAQs below or schedule a consultation with Karen.
Please read the FAQs below or schedule a consultation with Karen.
FAQ
Which pronunciation coaching OPTION do you recommend?
Once Karen hears you speak and learns your goals during your free consultation, she can tell you which coaching options she recommends and whether a pronunciation assessment is necessary.
What is the pronunciation assessment?
Depending on the extent of your pronunciation challenges, Karen may recommend you purchase and record a brief pronunciation assessment. After recording, you will send the audio file to Well Said Coaching for analysis.
If you submit an assessment recording, you will receive a detailed written report about your speech (see example). The report will:
1) Identify the speech patterns and sounds that we will target for improvement.
2) Recommend the program that best meets your goal.
A formal assessment is not necessary for everyone. Karen will give you her recommendation during your consultation.
If you submit an assessment recording, you will receive a detailed written report about your speech (see example). The report will:
1) Identify the speech patterns and sounds that we will target for improvement.
2) Recommend the program that best meets your goal.
A formal assessment is not necessary for everyone. Karen will give you her recommendation during your consultation.
Are my lessons customized, even if you don't recommend an assessment
Absolutely. Regardless of whether you take an assessment, the 1-1 lessons will be tailored to your goals, your fluency, your native language, and anything else that is relevant to your situation, such as your job or schooling.
How much does it cost?
How long is each 1-1 lesson?
60 minutes.
Where will we meet?
All lessons currently take place online using Zoom. In-person lessons in Alameda, CA are available by request.
Do you work with English speakers at all levels?
No. Our pronunciation coaching is best for English speakers who are high intermediate to advanced speakers.
How do I know if I my English is at the right level for the pronunciation program?
If you use and understand English comfortably, if not perfectly, at work or school, then you are most likely a high intermediate to advanced speaker. Advanced learners are typically proficient at three of the four skills needed to master a language: reading, writing and listening. The fourth skill is speaking, the most difficult of them all.
Do I have to practice?
If you want to make progress, the answer is yes.
Imagine you wanted to improve your tennis serve. A good tennis coach can show you how to get a better serve, but unless you practice you won’t see improvement. Pronunciation skills are no different. Our work together requires that you practice between lessons in order for you to achieve results.
Imagine you wanted to improve your tennis serve. A good tennis coach can show you how to get a better serve, but unless you practice you won’t see improvement. Pronunciation skills are no different. Our work together requires that you practice between lessons in order for you to achieve results.
Will I lose my accent?
No. The Well Said Program is designed to help you improve your pronunciation so you can be understood more easily. You will learn how to adjust your accent as needed, not eliminate it. Losing a foreign accent if you learned English after the age of around ten is very challenging (learn why). It is generally not worth your time, money and effort.
After I finish a package, may I sign up for additional Coaching?
Of course! Extra 1-1 practice sessions or a flex-time practice program can be purchased after you complete your initial package.
Do you work with actors?
No. If you want to find someone to help you master an American accent for acting roles, we suggest you search for a dialect coach. Most dialect coaches are located in Los Angeles or New York.
What payments do you accept?
All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, and UnionPay. Alipay and WeChat Pay is also accepted. We use Stripe for convenient, secure online payment processing.
Will my company pay for my COaching?
Possibly! Ask your human resources department if you are eligible for part or full reimbursement for education and training expenses. Use this letter to request payment for your Well Said Coaching.
Do you offer a Free Consultation?
Absolutely! Schedule your 20-minute free consultation now.
Can I Try a Lesson Before I buy a Package?
Yes! You can book a 45-minute trial lesson for just $45. Karen will tell you more about the trial lesson during your free consultation.