Cultural differences (such as respect for hierarchy) strongly impact how we define passive, aggressive, or assertive behaviors, and for many, assertiveness is a new and uncomfortable skill. In this video, learn language and techniques to be an assertive communicator...
If grammar and vocabulary are “WHAT we say” then language functions are “HOW we say it.” How we say it is deeply tied to culture. Many non-native speakers who are fluent in English still struggle with some English language functions that may...
Check out Lauren’s article in this month’s MultiLingual for a primer in cultural competency and cross cultural communication. “Why You Should Localize Your Business Communication.” (p.36)
View the video of my presentation Improve Your Presentation with Stress and Intonation, presented for the Chinese American Chemical Society (CACS) on January 19, 2021. Learn how to use phrasing, stress and intonation to be more understandable, engaging and memorable....
Learn 3 common problems for Chinese speakers and how to correct them. Listen to and mimic pronunciation and stress, and adopt the rhythm of English. Practice! Check out the video here.
Accent Reduction for Chinese Speaker This small group class is for Chinese speakers who want to be more understandable and more fluent in their speech. Taught by CAL Learning president Lauren Supraner, who has been helping Chinese professionals improve their speaking...
I listen to New York Governor Cuomo’s daily briefing not only because I’m a New Yorker, but because he is a great communicator. People from around the country listen to him for both what he says and how he says it. It is both the content of his speech and his delivery...
Do you have trouble being understood on the phone? Do you constantly have to repeat yourself? Are you a better communicator when speaking face-to-face? Communication is…. . . With visual clues gone in phone conversation, vocal qualities – your tone,...
Stress is extremely important in English. Using the wrong stress can make it difficult, or impossible, for native speakers to understand you. While it takes time and effort to master stress patterns, here are 3 word stress patterns that are easy to learn and use....
Schwa /ə/ The schwa is the most common vowel sound in American English and can be made with any vowel. The schwa is a vowel sound in an unstressed syllable. It is key to both word and sentence stress. How to make this sound This vowel sound is short and quick. It...