The Cycles Approach
The Adastra Speech method of accent modification
Making lasting changes to speech takes time. I have created this approach to not feel overwhelming or too time consuming in your daily life.
There's no confusion about what to focus on, how to practice, and when to meet.
Dividing a year into manageable three-month cycles creates a structured approach that allows skills to be introduced gradually and integrated with each other and into daily speech.
This approach is described in my book:
Cycle Structure
The lessons in each cycle build upon the previous ones, increase in detail, and integrate the speech features. We begin with structured practice (reading) and slowly progress to unstructured (conversation).
The purpose of cycling through information is to gradually add more to remember so you have time to gain control of some speech features before having to balance all of them at one time.
Basically, you need time to remember how to say something before too much pressure is on thinking of what to say.
Cycle 1 - Essentials - Jump into what is most applicable to your speaking situations.
Cycle 2 - Advanced Control - Add more speech features and gain control of your voice.
Cycle 3 - Mastery and Analysis - Analyze your own ability to make changes to your speech.
Cycle 4 - Continued Support - Meet less frequently, continue integrating all speech features.
Monthly Format
This program is structured in 3-month cycles over the course of a year. Each cycle includes:
-
Speech Evaluations - A comprehensive evaluation before the start of the program and at the end, with monthly shorter evaluations to assess progress. (Two 90-minute meetings for initial evaluation)
-
1 Lesson per month - A new speech feature is focused on for practice and control. (60-minute meetings)
-
3 Individual Practice Sessions each month - Gain more control and awareness. (60-minute meetings)
-
Weekly Practice Recordings - Practice tasks are assigned in the form of audio and video recordings, observations, interactions, and reporting on speech use in professional speaking situations. I provide feedback videos for each recording. (Time for each one is under 15 minutes)
-
Daily Mini-Practice Prompts - Emails with specific sounds and words to practice. (Nothing to send me, just listen and increase awareness all day.
Materials
I provide all the instructional materials for lessons and practice. I provide content material through Google Drive and use free resources online.
I ask you to provide materials that contain vocabulary and information common to your professional field and daily life. Everything we practice should be applicable to your specific speaking situations.
This comprehensive structure provides consistent expert instruction and support, enabling you to achieve your speech goals effectively.
Location
All meetings are on Zoom unless you are in the Kansas City area.
Please contact me for pricing or for other coaching options for individuals or groups of 2-4 people.