Summer vacation is here. Children will be out of school for a couple of months. And you are worried that your child, who is learning English as a second language, may lose some of her English over summer vacation because she won’t be seeing American classmates everyday. But what if she can improve her English during these two months, just in different ways? Here are some ideas on how ESL children can improve their English over summer vacation.

This blog was originally published on June 21, 2019.  It’s been updated on July 4, 2025.

The playground is a great place to practice English

Since summer vacation is intended for students to rest and play, your children probably do not want to be studying, like they have been for the past 10 months.  However, you can use this time to help them integrate English practice. 

Learning does not have to come from books or the classroom. In fact, often learning takes place outside the class by applying what we study. So which activities can encourage English practice? 

The playground.  It is such a perfect environment. Children are playing, they are feeling relaxed.  They are having fun.  Not thinking about school or learning. That is the perfect atmosphere to integrate learning.  Nothing is expected of them other than having fun and enjoying themselves.

Actually, when children are playing, they are speaking natural English. What better way to absorb a language than when they are playing with native English speakers? Not only will they improve their English accent, intonation, and vocabulary, they might have made friends with future classmates from the playground by the time they get back to school. Since you go to the same playground and park, it’s likely you live in the same neighborhood, and are in the same school district.

Reading their favorite books can improve your children’s English

So, play is one way your ESL children can improve their English even when they are out of school. Another way is to read their favorite books. Don’t worry about grammar books, unless your children enjoy it. Encourage your children to read anything they are interested in, even if it’s comic books. They will absorb the patterns and word order of natural English.

When I was learning English, over one summer vacation, I read over 20 novels. I wasn’t trying to learn English, I simply enjoyed reading those books. When school started again, I noticed my writing improved without effort. Some skills must have transferred from reading those books. My sentence construction took less effort. I was more descriptive in my writing. And I did not have to stop to think about grammar. They just flow naturally.

Do you see a common theme here? Natural English. Playing with other children who also speak English.  Reading books they enjoy.  These activities help to integrate English into everyday life. 

And don’t worry about arranging play dates with only native-English speakers.  Simply by using English with their playmates will help them develop ease and confidence in using the language effortlessly.

Watching movies in English that your children enjoy

One other activity can also help your children to improve English over summer vacation. Watching their favorite movies or television shows. Don’t worry about them wasting time. As long as they enjoy it, they wouldn’t even know they are actually picking up more English while watching TV. 

A former student of mine learned Cantonese by watching martial arts movies. She had wanted to communicate with more Chinese by learning Cantonese.  Although she may not speak that dialect fluently, she was able to understand it much better after all those movies.  And I was able to understand some of her Cantonese.

So, there you have it. Play, read, watch movies.  All fun activities.  Actually, any activities that your child enjoys that involve hearing or speaking English. Even writing, if she enjoys it. Don’t force anything. Summer vacation is supposed to be fun. And what better way to integrate learning than by doing something we enjoy?

These are just a few examples of how ESL children can improve their English over summer vacation.  If you think of others, I would love to add them to this list.  Please send an email to estrellachan@gmail.com. 

If you find this article helpful, here is one on How ESL learners can teach their children to read.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals who relocated to the U.S. in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.  To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post How ESL Children Can Improve Their English Over Summer Vacation appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

The greatest leaders are often the quietest. They don’t look for recognition. We often do not know how much they have accomplished. Their acts of kindness sometimes go unnoticed. And they feel perfectly fine with that. Such a person is Rich Bradley, a compassionate business leader. (This blog was originally published on January 25, 2025, and was updated on April 2, 2025.)

Rich passed away a few years ago. As soon as his former employees (from 2 decades ago) heard the news, they all wanted to attend the reception that celebrates his life. There are good reasons why he is so dear to them. In the following paragraphs, I want to share what I respect and admire most in Rich.

When Rich was president of Microcomputer Electronics, he knew that if he put together the best team, the company would BE its best. So he recruited Carol Olsby from the East Coast to lead the HR department.

With Carol’s natural ability to create a welcoming atmosphere, Rich was able to run a company that feels like home to the employees. Productivity was high because of this warm environment. There was always some celebration in the lunch room. Someone’s birthday, baby showers, or just because it’s a sunny day in Seattle. People felt they are important and valued here.

When one employee lost her father, and did not realize how expensive funerals and burials are in the U.S., another employee took up a collection. Within a week, this co-worker raised enough money to take care of all the expenses. Now THAT’s a family.

When one employee returned from maternity leave, she misinterpreted the salary compensation because of her English skills. Instead of insisting on the company’s policy, Rich asked Carol to give that employee what she was expecting to receive. His reason was that entry level assemblers do not make that much money. He didn’t want her misunderstanding to become a financial hardship on her. What a generous, compassionate man!

Both Rich and Carol felt that employees who speak limited English could reach their potential faster if there were ESL support on site. So they brought me in to create a customized program that meets the company’s specific needs while helping these employees expand their English skills.

We used the conference room for our class, which is located directly across from Rich’s office. We laughed a lot in class. One woman in particular has the belly laugh of Buddha. You can hear Rorb’s laughter half a mile away. Since Rich’s door was always open, I worried that our noise level would disturb him. When I stopped by after class to check on this, Rich said, “So YOU are the in-house comedienne!”

He was happy to hear the laughter. He loved hearing happy sounds coming from the conference room. Absolutely no thought given to whether it disturbed his work or not. So, we kept right on laughing loudly.

The company grew rapidly. In just a few years, it tripled in size. Carol called me and said that she and Rich would like me to help the ESL employees again. There were more non-native English speakers, and they could benefit from English support.

While I was teaching the ESL classes there, the new owner of the company (renamed Universal Avionics) decided to move the majority of the manufacturing to Arizona. Employees were given the option to relocate with an attractive package. Even so, many decided to stay in the area.

Rich, still the president of the company, felt that with many of the employees looking for work in the near future, they would need help getting ready for the transition. He wanted to make sure they have the skills, both English and otherwise, to get good jobs. So, he and Carol asked me to prepare the ESL employees with skills that would ensure their future job search success.

I don’t know how many business leaders think about preparing their employees for future success after they leave the company. Rich felt it had to be done. The future job security of his employees was a priority to him. He made sure they got the education. This man puts his money where his mouth is.

Rich was a quiet man. I can count the number of conversations we had on one hand. But his impact was great. He lived his values. He walked his talk. He made sure that his employees were well taken care of.

I have a feeling that Rich did not identify himself as his job title. He was not the kind of president that went around shaking everyone’s hands in order to build rapport. But he was someone who’s RIGHT THERE when you need him.

Rich was not a person who needed public recognition. He knew what he needed to do, found the right people to do it, and left them alone to do what they do best. In today’s terminology, he is everyone’s dream employer.

While I was teaching at Universal Avionics, my mother passed away in another state. Rich and Carol asked my students if they know an address to send flowers to my family. Since no one knew the address of the funeral home, Carol and Rich sent a lovely plant to me in Seattle instead.

Even though I was an independent contractor, Carol invited me to take as much time as I needed before returning to work. But I didn’t need to. The family that Rich and Carol created also became part of my family. They were right there to comfort me, to care for me in difficult times.

So, here’s to you, Rich, for creating a place where people love to go to work, feel good being there, feel cared about. A place that feels welcoming everyday, honoring the value of each person. A work place that every company wishes it could create.

And I got to experience the magic you created. Thank YOU!

Here are some of the ways that Carol and Rich used to create a welcoming work place. How to create a culturally diverse workplace.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

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Seattle is a beautiful place. No wonder many move here. Whether you moved from another state or another country, there are helpful things to do to build your life here. This article is especially written for those who moved here from another country, and who may not be fluent yet in English. I hope these ideas help you feel at home sooner. Also, I have added a section for meeting friends virtually. Here are some tips for newcomers to Seattle.

This blog was originally published on September 29, 2020, and has been updated on June 15, 2024.

When moving to a new country, build your support system as soon as you can

If you moved here with your family, you have a social structure in place already. But if you came here by yourself, and you don’t know anyone here, it is important to make friends as soon as possible. Having a social circle will prevent you from feeling isolated in a new environment.

So, how do you make friends when you don’t know anyone here?

Find groups online

If it is possible, even BEFORE you move here, search for groups on Facebook or other social media platforms that speak your native language. This way, you would have formed some connections already by the time you get to Seattle.

But if not, you can still search for groups after you arrive. This will get you into a ready-made community that knows your native culture and language. It’ll help you to feel a sense of belonging.

Another good place to meet new friends is Meetup.com. Look up groups that share your interests. There are groups in hiking, photography, cooking, language, business, technology. One of my clients joined a group that practice speaking Japanese for the first hour, and English the second hour. And they meet in a different restaurant each time. This helped him get to know different restaurants in Seattle at the same time.

If you do not find any group on Meetup.com that interests you, you can start your own group. A friend did just that, and today that group has become a supportive community for many immigrant women.

Libraries offer ESL and conversation groups

The library is another place.

There are often meetings for those who want to practice speaking English called Talk Time. You don’t need to register. Just show up. Volunteers run these groups. Sometimes there are many people in the group, and sometimes the groups are smaller.

If you have young children, there are also story time for toddlers. I have seen parents there with their children. You get to meet people from around the world.

Community organizations for immigrants

ELLA (English Language Learners Alliance) meet regularly so you can practice speaking English and learn about this culture.

Another group is Turkcha. This non-profit offers a sense of community for immigrant women through events. Their website is https://www.turkcha.org/.

Another way that Turkcha support women who are immigrants or refugees is shown in this video.

Best time to come to Seattle

Depending on the time of year you arrive, your first impression of Seattle may be different. Summer is the best time to be in Seattle. The weather is comfortable. And it’s the dry season. However, if you come in the winter, it can be a different story for some people.

How to deal with lack of sunshine in Seattle’s winter

Some people love rain. If you are not one of them, winter in Seattle can affect your mood. There are many overcast days. At times it may rain for days. That is why when the sun comes out, people in Seattle are smiling and feel happier. It’s a treat to them.

For some people, the lack of sunlight can make them feel depressed. There are things you can do to help yourself. Check with your healthcare provider on the proper dosage of Vitamin D for you.

Another thing you can do is to use full-spectrum light, which simulates sunlight. Your body chemicals will adjust accordingly and you’ll feel better. The lamp needs to have 10,000 lux to be effective for this purpose. Companies such as Verilux sells full-spectrum light.

Also, if you can already communicate in English, check out online groups in areas of your interests. Sometimes just responding to a post can start a connection. And when you are new to a country, it’s nice to feel connected, even if it’s for a brief moment.

Work with an ESL tutor

If you need to improve your English fluency for work or daily conversation, hiring an ESL tutor can be a faster way to go. You can also take an ESL class. With a tutor, you get your individual language needs met, so the process is quicker. Another benefit of working with an ESL tutor is that often that person can share with you the local culture and resources. Teachers and tutors tend to be helpful people, and are often generous with useful information.

For quite a few clients, I am their first friend in Seattle. Although they hired me for their English needs, often they talked about their transition to a new culture. It is a nice feeling to have someone regular to talk to when your children are at school, and your family and friends are half way around the world.

Enjoy nature in Seattle

Whether you like to hike or not, one of the reasons many people move to Seattle is its natural beauty. Even an hour in nature would feel like a mini vacation. There are many walking trails that are easy for children. So if you are not a hiker, you can go on one of those trails. You don’t even need to drive. The book Seattle Outdoors by Bob Dresbach lists trails reachable by bus.

Beaches are within 30 minutes of Seattle, including Alki, Golden Garden Parks, Car Creek Park, Richmond Beach, Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. I’ve seen volleyball teams playing at Alki, and sometimes at Golden Garden Parks. There are many dog parks if you have a furry friend.

These are just a few tips for feeling more at home if you are new to Seattle. Build a support community for yourself as soon as possible. If you can, start building one online even before you move here. Go to some events tailored to immigrants. Choose the time of year to move to Seattle. Work with a tutor. Go out in nature.

I am sure you will think of more ways as you adjust to your new environment. Please share them with me so I can add your ideas to this list.

If you have specific questions about the cultural adjustment process, feel free to reach out to estrellachan@gmail.com, and I will do my best to find you an answer.

If you find this article helpful, here is one on How to help immigrant children make friends at school.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post Tips For Newcomers To Seattle appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

Is it possible for ESL learners to teach their children to read? Of course! Maybe you think just because your English is not perfect yet, that you can’t teach your child to read English. But you CAN. Whether you are an advanced or beginning ESL learner, the principles are the same. And as your English improves, the more you would be able to help your children improve their reading. This blog was originally published on February 22, 2019, and was updated May 30, 2024.

How to teach your children to read even if you are learning English yourself

Introduce your children to phonics

One of the skills to teach your children is phonics. How to interpret what they see into sounds. For example, combine the sound “at” with certain consonants, and your child will be able to say a few more words. Bat, cat, fat, hat, mat, pat, rat, sat. Combine the sound “oil” with other consonants, and you’ll get the following. Boil, coil, foil, soil, toil. Or, try combining the sound “ot” with c, d, g, h, j, p, r, s, t. You’ll get cot, dot, God, hot, jot, pot, rot, sot (not used very often) and tot.

One tool you can use is Hooked on Phonics. You can buy the kit, or you can go on YouTube to watch some free videos. It was one of the popular learning tools that came out. Although it’s geared for children, adults learning English phonics can also benefit from it.

Show your children how to read for meaning instead of words

Another skill to teach your children is read for meaning instead of words. In many reading classes, students are often asked to read a paragraph or so aloud. If the purpose is to correct pronunciation, reading aloud has a purpose. Or if it’s to tell a story.

However, reading out loud with the intent to understand the content is not effective. Have you ever read something aloud only to go back to reread it because you didn’t get the meaning the first time?

Our brain thinks a lot faster than we can speak. That means if we read without moving our mouth, we can keep closer to the pace of our brain, which helps us to comprehend the content much better.

However, there is something to observe when you read silently.

Do you move your lips when you read silently?

Have you ever seen people moving their lips when they are reading, even if they do not say the words out loud? If so, the result is pretty much the same as reading aloud. When you read each word (even if it’s just with your lips and not your vocal cords), it’s easy to miss the meaning of the sentence. That’s because you are paying attention to the individual words, not the meaning of the sentence. Unless you are able to read it the way audio book narrators can. They read the content like they are telling a story.

So how does this apply to teaching your children to read? If the purpose of the session is to teach pronunciation or phonics, then do focus on individual words. If the intent is to read for meaning, and you want to read aloud to your children, then do what narrators do. Read an entire phrase before you pause. Phrasing helps us grasp the meaning of the sentence.

Do you understand more when you read slower?

Reading speed also makes a difference in comprehension. You might think reading slowly will help you understand more. However, that’s not necessarily the case.

I remember an English professor who read classic novels aloud in class. He read faster than anyone I’ve met. Over time, I saw why he did that. His reading speed matched more closely with the speed of my brain, therefore I could process the information more efficiently. If he had read slowly to match how fast I could speak, then it could have slowed down my processing of the information. Try this, and experiment for yourself.

To summarize, it IS possible for ESL learners of various stages to teach their children to read.

Phonics can help your children (and you) combine vowel sounds with consonants to pronounce words clearly. And this also helps with spelling.

And if you want to help children understand what they are reading, then read entire phrases before you pause to convey the intent of the message. The purpose of reading is to understand the idea as a whole. Focusing on individual words is for building a separate skill, not reading for comprehension.

If you find this article helpful, you might also enjoy reading How to pronounce the sounds r, p, v, and th for ESL learners.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post How ESL Learners can teach their children to read appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

Hidden gems in Seattle are not hard to find. If you are not in a hurry, drive along some interesting looking streets that are not busy. This is how I discovered the hidden gems I am about to share with you in this blog. This article was originally published on February 15, 2019, and has been updated on May 23, 2024.

Hidden gems in Seattle

Since cherry blossom season is one of the most beautiful time in Seattle, here are some residential areas to enjoy the beauty without running into crowds. University of Washington campus is famous for their cherry blossom. However, it is a popular place for cherry blossom season. So you’ll run into a lot of traffic.

Where to see Cherry Blossoms without running into a crowd

Just a few miles south of U.W., near Volunteer Park, there are a few residential streets that are lined with these beautiful blossoms. I’ve seen professional photographers take pictures in the middle of the road during quiet hours when there are hardly any cars passing by.

A few blocks down the hill from the entrance to Volunteer Park are streets covered with cherry blossom petals in April. It’s like a snow-covered street, except with cherry blossom. Look for them from 19th to 21st Ave. And bring your camera!

Neighborhood with a small town feel

The Arboretum is a good place to visit in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In addition to the trails, you can also explore a neighborhood nearby.

While you drive slowly through the curved road toward 23rd Ave., (past the Japanese Garden) turn left on 23rd and go toward the water to explore the Madison Park neighborhood. Most of the buildings are no more than two stories, except for the condos by the lake. It has a small town feel. It can be a lovely way to spend a leisurely afternoon.

Houseboat communities

Houseboat communities are enjoyable to visit. Many of them are on Lake Union. Remember the movie Sleepless in Seattle? The floating home that Tom Hanks was filmed in is on Lake Union.

You can leisurely stroll along Fairview Ave. It’s a mile or two from Fred Hutchinson. The houseboat communities are private, so please pay attention to the No Trespassing signs.

There are a couple of view points with a bench for you to sit and enjoy the activities on Lake Union. One is Roanoke Street Mini Park. There are just a few parking spots. If you walk south along the lake, you’ll come to another view point where I’ve seen people enter with their paddle boards.

On sunny days, Lake Union can be very busy. These hidden gems are spots you can access the lake without running into a crowd.

Another place to see floating homes is from a residential area. When you travel south on Roosevelt Way, after crossing the metal grated bridge (past 42nd) turn left on Fuhrman Ave. Around Shelby Street, look for parking. Walk toward the water and you’ll see a houseboat community, with a lovely view of Portage Bay across the lake. Again, this is private property.

If you drive up the steep hill on Shelby toward 10th, pull over to the side and park your car. Get out to take a photo of the lake and the bridge. This is one splendid picture you can use as a Christmas card.

Neighborhood with interesting architecture

If you like architecture, keep driving on Fuhrman Ave. The name changes at some point, but stay on it and turn left around 22nd Ave. The houses here will transport you to another continent, or from a different time. Drive slowly. When you come back out to the main road, St. Dimitri Church is on your right. The annual Greek Festival is held here in early Fall.

Where to go for afternoon tea, British style

After this relaxing afternoon outing, you can stop by Queen Mary Tea Room for dessert and a pot of tea. Their address is 2912 NE 55th Street. Not far from University Village Shopping Mall. In fact, Queen Mary is a popular place for afternoon tea and lunch. If you are just stopping by for dessert, you don’t need reservations. However, if you are taking someone out for a birthday lunch, do make a reservation. It’s not a huge place, but the experience is unique.

And if you want to pick up a souvenir, walk down the street to 2809 55th St., and enjoy a leisurely visit at the Queen Mary Tea Emporium. Children who adore tea time would enjoy this place. Adults too!

I hope you’ll enjoy your time visiting these hidden gems in Seattle. If you know of some, please let me know. I would like to explore new places.

If you enjoy reading this article, here is another one on What to do in Washington.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post Hidden Gems in Seattle appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

Is it even possible to have a busy social life in a new city, knowing just a little of the language?  I met just such a woman several years ago. She was my client learning Beginning English. She had just moved to Seattle 3 months before we met from half way around the world.  And in that short amount of time, she had become friends with many people. And with very little English. In this article, I’ll share some of her experience in how she got a busy social life with little English in Seattle. (This article was originally published on August 8, 2019, and was updated on May 16, 2024.)

How to quickly create a community

Find people with something in common

To tell my client’s story, let’s call her Sara to protect her privacy. One of the first things she did with her husband was go to events where others from her country would attend. One was an international event where they could meet people from many cultures. Another was going to a church of their faith. From these two events alone, they met people who invite them to brunch and dinner.

Her husband also met friends at work from his country. They too invite them for dinner. Between her husband’s co-workers and the new friends they already met, they had dinner plans every day of the week, not just weekends.

Meeting friends in ESL class

Sara also enrolled in a local college’s ESL class. Although she was in the most beginning level, she managed to communicate well enough with classmates from other countries that she invited several of them home for lunch.

Now, I’ve been to meals prepared by Sara.  She is not one to put something simple together. She would spend hours preparing. That’s part of the respect her culture shows to guests. A lot of thought goes into how to please the palate of her guests.

The lunch Sara prepared for her classmates was a big hit, with all this attention to details. Her classmates loved the meal. After lunch, they showed each other their country’s popular dances. Everyone had the most enjoyable time. Before they left Sara’s house, they had already made plans for the next get-together.

Contributing to a community

One of the couples that Sara met at a social event just had a baby.  But there were complications, so mother and baby had to be hospitalized.  Although Sara had only met this couple once, she volunteered to help as soon as she heard the news.  Not only that, she contacted other friends of this couple who came from the same culture.

Their friends worry that food in the hospital may not be the comfort food that the couple needed, so they took turns preparing food to bring to the hospital for the couple.

Now THAT’s the spirit of community. Who would not feel a bond after this outpour of love? It really does not take much to go from stranger to friend.

No doubt, I will witness more amazing ways Sara connects with others. 3 short months in Seattle, and she already had a full social calendar. I think she will never be lonely here.

Tips on creating your circle of friends in a new culture

From watching the way that Sara made friends here, I would like to offer her tips to create your own circle of friends in a new culture.

1.  Go to events where you can meet others from your own culture.

2.  Invite those new friends for lunch.

3.  Enroll in an English class where you will meet people from other cultures, and invite those new friends for tea.

4.  Contribute to this new circle of friends whenever the opportunity comes up.

As you think of more ways to create your new circle of friends, even with little English, please email me and share your tips with me at estrellachan@gmail.com

If you find this article helpful, you might also like How to make friend with your neighbors.

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, and public speaking.    To schedule a session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

The post A Busy Social Life With Little English In Seattle appeared first on Seattle English ESL.

How do I sound like a native English speaker in the U.S.?

Have you ever wanted to sound like a native English speaker?   Maybe in the U.S., England, Australia, or any country where the business language is English?   It is possible to achieve this.  And it’s not as difficult as you think.  It has to do with the music of a language, the length of a syllable, the inflection of the words within a sentence.  In this article, I am focusing mostly on American English.  However, you can apply these techniques to sound like a native English speaker in the country you live in, whether it’s the U.K., Australia, or other countries where the locals speak English.  (This article was updated on April 1, 2026.)

Sir Sidney Poitier, known for his role in the movie To Sir with Love and many other movies, faced a similar issue early in his acting career.  Although he already spoke English, he wanted to be rid of his Bahamian accent in order to succeed in his acting career (it was a time when diverse accents were less well received in the U.S.)

To do this, he bought a radio, chose a program he liked, and imitated the accent of the host.   He did this for 6 months, then auditioned for a part. That’s how Sidney Poitier got started in the movie industry.

How to imitate English accent

What can we learn from Sidney Poitier?  He chose someone who has clear pronunciation and with the accent he wanted to imitate.  The host was on radio, which means that he probably enunciated his words!   So begin by choosing someone with the kind of clear pronunciation and accent you want to imitate.

TV news reporters tend to enunciate their words.  There is no take-two for news, so they have to be clear the first time.

Also, actors with a background in live theater also tend to enunciate.  Again, they only have one chance to sound clear to their audience.

Observe inflection, length of syllables, music of the language

Sidney imitated the host exactly.  Inflection, enunciation, everything.  He kept at this until the new speaking style became natural to him.

One of the elements in this kind of imitation is music–-music of a language.  You have listened to people speaking English with a British, Australian, Hawaiian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish accent, right?   They can all be saying the exact words and sound different from one another.  So why is it easier to understand some and not others?

That’s because every language has its own music.  Some has more staccato.  Some are more melodic.  So if your native language is more melodic, it will take more effort for you to understand someone coming from a more staccato language.  Even if you are saying the exact same words.

When you start imitating someone’s accent and pronunciation, observe the length of the syllables, and which syllable goes up or goes down.  How long do they hold one syllable versus another syllable?  Which part of the sentence goes up, and when does it come down.  Where is the highest note in the sentence?  And the lowest note?

When you begin, just listen. When you have become accustomed to the music of this person, then start imitating.

Using videos to imitate enunciation

Some may prefer to watch a video instead of listening to the radio.   There’s an advantage to this.   In a video, you can see the facial movement.  Watch how high the cheek bones are lifted for certain syllables, the shape of the mouth to enunciate a word, or how wide the mouth opens to produce a sound.    Can you see their teeth when they say certain syllables?

If you choose a video, you can slow down the play speed to observe more closely how the speaker produces the sounds.  You can replay it until you are able to analyze their facial movements for certain sounds.

One person I recommend to my clients is Rick Steves (from Rick Steves Europe.)  His website, Ricksteves.com, has an archive of some of his TV shows, along with transcripts.

Rick’s pronunciation is clear.  So if you like his voice, he is one person you can imitate to begin your journey of sounding like a native English speaker. (American English, that is.)

Observe how TV journalists enunciate

Earlier, I mentioned that TV journalists and actors who have performed live in theater are good models.  Find journalists or actors whose voice you like because you’ll be listening to them often.  Watch their mouth movement as well as the movement of their facial muscles.   Observing these details will give you clues on how you can shape your mouth and move your facial muscles to produce certain sounds clearly.  One actor who does a good job with enunciation is Josh Radnor, the narrator of the TV series How I Met Your Mother.  He shapes his mouth even before he produces the sounds.

Using a mirror can also be very helpful.  It gives you visual feedback on how closely you are imitating the mouth movement of the speaker.

Once you have mastered the imitation, you can find another person to imitate so you expose yourself to a variety of styles. When you feel ready, you will come up with your own style that is both clear and that feels right to you.

Play around with these tips to sound like a native English speaker.   And if you discover some new ways, please email me at estrellachan@gmail.com.

Here is a link to another article on how you can learn word order in English sentences.

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If there are other ESL topics you would like me to address, please email me at estrellachan@gmail.com

Estrella Chan coaches immigrants and international professionals in English fluency, interview skills, presentation skills, and career advancement.    To schedule a free demo session with her, please email estrellachan@gmail.com

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