Professional Speech Coaching

Video Introduction by Dr. Christi Barb:

 

New Options

2017 has been another year in which I was fortunate to help incredible people reach their personal communication goals. As the year is coming to its end, I am looking forward to meeting the new people I will work with in the new year and am grateful that Adastra Speech is now able to help even more people than before.

My private instruction is completely booked through the end of the year and I am taking applications for lessons to begin in January. Therefore, ​I'm happy to announce new options for anyone looking for personalized instruction for accented English:​

Single Sessions - Online - Conversation

Two associates have joined Adastra Speech, please welcome Ms. Kit Patterson and Ms. Cal Ramsdell. They are professionals in the field of English education and are Harvard alumnae.

When you work with these teachers, you are working with instructors with expertise in the area of pronunciation.They taught the Accent Modification course that I created at Northeastern University, using my materials and techniques of teaching and assessment. We share the same perspective and approach to teaching English speaking skills, specifically for accented speakers of English.

By popular request, these associates are available for individual sessions that do not require a speech evaluation or homework. Each time you meet with Kit or Cal, you will receive immediate feedback about your English speech and can apply it to the conversation you are having right at that moment. You can practice for a specific event such as a presentation or an interview, or begin with a casual conversation and let them identify areas that you can improve upon. These are single sessions, no evaluations or set of lessons is required.

Professional Development Budgets - End of Year Planning

Do you have to "use it or lose it"?
Many employers pay for professional development and training. Improved communication skills benefit you personally and extend into the work you do. All aspects of how you interact with colleagues and customers are improved through effective communication. Companies often hire people for their technical skills, but it's the "soft skills" such as spoken communication that are necessary to convey that technical information, collaborate, present, manage, train, and represent the company. 

If you would like a proposal for your company outlining your individual instruction options, contact me. We'll start with a consultation to discuss your goals and areas you'd like to focus on. I'll write a proposal for you to share with your company. You can pay for your evaluation and lesson set before the end of the year with a start date in January or after, at a time that fits your schedule.

It's not about "losing" an accent. It's about what you can gain.

What you can lose:
  • repeating yourself
  • that confused look on listener's faces
  • nervousness about speaking in meetings, presentations, phone calls
  • poor performance reviews
  • your children correcting your pronunciation
  • self-consciousness
  • self-doubt
  • misunderstandings
What you can gain:
  • confidence
  • self-awareness 
  • control and choices of how you want to sound in different situations
  • strategies to avoid and correct your own errors
  • understanding of how American English is pronounced in casual speech vs writing
  • increased listening skill
  • understanding of US cultural expectations in speaking situations (interviews, discussions, meetings, work and social conversations)
Have more questions?   Let's Talk!
It's easy to schedule a time to
speak with me
by phone, Skype, or in-person
​for a free 30-minute consultation.
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