Lisa’s Blog

Tips, insights, and updates

Easy way to memorize vocabulary?

A student, Mohammad Ali Mohammad, asked me the following question:Madam Lisa, I try to memorize vocabulary but I cannot. What is an easy way to memorize?My answer: 1. Try to use the word immediately by creating your own sentence. Say it aloud. Don't just read the word...

read more

Confusing English Words

When you pronounce a word, do you worry that it sounds like a different word? Have people been confused or have they misunderstood you?Here are some that my students often confuse:can and can'tDoug and dogBrett and Brad (men's names)series and seriousstaff and...

read more

Great New Site for Practicing your Pronunciation

An English teacher from Brazil, whose name is Mayli Brasil (yes, that's really her last name!), came to LA to take American Accent classes with me for a few weeks. (that's a photo of Mayli and me.) She told me about a great new website which can help you with...

read more

Does “Siri” on your IPhone 4S understand your accent?

Some of my accent reduction clients have complained that the new voice recognition technology doesn't understand their heavy accent. I would like to hear your experiences with Siri and other similar applications.Here is an excerpt from an article on Huffingtonpost:"It...

read more

Accent Reduction Tip

Find good role models of speech. Don't imitate just any American. Some Americans mumble, they have "lazy lips" and don't make an effort to speak clearly.For example, in your native language a poet and a computer programmer may speak very differently. Right?Same thing...

read more

20 Reasons for taking accent reduction lessons

This is what my student have said. Why do YOU want to reduce your accent? 1. “My boss told me that some clients are complaining that they don’t understand me.”2. “I am an actor and I my agent told me I have to get rid of my accent.”3. I am tired of always being asked...

read more

Video Lesson – How to reduce vowels

Here is a new video that I just posted on YouTube. It will teach you the very important rule vowel reduction. English vowels can be pronounced differently, depending on whether they are stressed or reduced.

read more

Some books I recommend for advanced speakers of English

My accent reduction students usually have an advanced knowledge of English, but they still occassionally make mistakes with English grammar or vocabulary usage. Here are some books that I recommend that they purchase to perfect their skills. I have also included the...

read more

More advice for reducing your accent

1. Slow down your speech. Actually, you can speak as quickly as you wish, as long as you are pronouncing every sound of every word and you are following the rules of good stress and melody. You will notice that newscasters often speak quickly but clearly. If you...

read more