My Mail Forwards: How Accent Affects Credibility

English by the Hour

Recent research on how Americans perceive Accent:

Research suggests that American listeners associate a lack of credibility and low trustworthiness with having a strong accent: The Accent on Truth, University of Chicago Magazine.

The original article:

Lev-Ari, S. & Keysar, B. (2010). Why Don't We Believe Non-Native Speakers? The influence of accent on credibility. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 46,6, 1093-1096.

There was also an article in the Mercury News on Accent Modification today:

Americanizing Foreign Accents, syndicated article fromthe Houston Chronicle.

Register here: http://communityeducation.fhda.edu

Class Description:

Saturday 11/13: Course title: "Overcome Cultural Barriers to Success" Course: #159
Listed under "Communication"

Overcome Cultural Barriers to Success - 9 am - 4 pm Saturday 11/13:

Acculturating in the world of American business is a challenging process. If you find yourself struggling to influence others or be heard, this is the course for you. Specifically, this course will help you to:

· Evaluate your communication style and realize you have choices.

· Distinguish direct, collaborative & receptive approaches and learn how to use each in American Englsih.

· Actively engage in meetings and presentations to be "heard"
· Learn techniques to improve your speaking effectiveness.

· Become aware of your own cultural preferences and evaluate how best to strategically approach a situation in a way that aligns you with the company's or the individual's culture
· Give feedback and manage crucial conversations

Join us at DeAnza for a Saturday of interactive discussion and learning on this career-changing topic!

WebEx Sessions Now Available

We offer 1-1 live systematic correction sessions via WebEx. We record the sessions with video so you can practice. If you would like to take a trial session and meet with a Coach, let us know! More details:

http://www.englishbythehour.com/pricing/MoreInformationInternet

Are you an MBA Candidate?

We are happy to announce an offering in conjunction with the MBA Exchange, an organization specializing in admissions and career consulting for applicants to the world's top business schools. These programs allow non-native speakers the opportunity to practice their interviewing skills with an American Accent Coach to insure best results.

http://www.mbaexchange.com/accent-reduction-tutoring.html

Lunch 'n Learns

Invite us to speak at your organization and share insights that will benefit non-native speakers of American English in an engaging and informative manner.

Course options: http://www.englishbythehour.com/lunchnlearn/

We are also happy to send a representative to your ToastMasters meeting to support your Membership drive. Let us know how we can help!

Save the date!

If you are an HR professional and would like to learn more about communication with employees and prospective employees from India, join Rekha Mahadevan of http://www.india-businessconsulting.com/ and I when we present at the HR Women & Friends sponsored event on November 17, 2010.

Details to come as we approach the date!