The InFluency Podcast

Have you used AI to practice your English? What has your experience been? In this episode, I’m going to share with you the truth about practicing with AI, the pros and cons, and my personal opinion about using AI to practice a language. (it may surprise you!)

Want to practice with real humans? We’re here! Join my free community on Facebook, The InFluency Community https://bit.ly/47tinnp

👉 DOWNLOAD THE 14-DAY ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION PLAN https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5

What’s the best way to study pronunciation? What sounds should you start with? How do you really get results? I’m going to share all of that with you here with the 14-day plan I’ve created!

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

As an English learner, you must have wondered – what are the things that are preventing me from reaching a breakthrough in English?

You may think it’s just more vocabulary or phrasal verbs, and maybe all those fancy tenses that people use… When in fact, it’s something a lot more basic and primal. It’s not what ELSE you need to learn, but instead – it’s how YOU think about yourself when speaking English.

Yes, how we think about our English has a big part in how confident we feel when speaking English. Are we thinking kind and empowering thoughts? Or are we being harsh and critical? In this episode, I’ll dive deep into explaining how you can reach a breakthrough simply by changing the way you think about your English.

More useful episodes on the topic: Want to improve your speaking vocabulary? STOP LEARNING NEW WORDS ✋ https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/improve-speaking-vocabulary/ How To Learn New Vocabulary | Build Pronunciation Confidence? https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-learn-new-vocabulary/

Take the free quiz and determine your speaker stage in English https://bit.ly/3YaFq4e

If you think that progress is only about going from A1 to C2 – think again! Your progress as a non-native speaker goes beyond your proficiency level.

In a person’s language journey, there are 5 typical speaker types, each characterized by a certain behavior and mindset.

And guess what – no one has tried to identify those types before – UNTIL NOW!!

In my BRAND NEW QUIZ, I’ll tell you your speaker type … And share my *secret* tips to get to the next stage so your fluency can go from 🐌 to 🚀!!! Click here to take the quiz! 💃 https://bit.ly/3YaFq4e

In this episode, I spoke with Alastair, the host of the podcast, English Learning for Curious Minds. Alastair is originally from the UK but now lives in Sweden. We talked about his experiences moving from London to Malta and then to Sweden, and what’s exciting and challenging about relocating.

Alistair also talks about his podcast, English Learning for Curious Minds, where he combines cool stories and history with language learning. He shares how he makes difficult ideas easier to understand and explains why listening is such an important skill. Get useful tips and advice for building confidence in your English!

Listen to my interview with Alastair on his channel: https://youtu.be/a9jL3MqfVMw

Listen to some of Alastair’s favorite episodes from his podcast here: Liquid Gold | The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Robbery: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/maple-syrup Fredric Tudor | The Ice King: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/ice-king The Affair Of The Diamond Necklace: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/affair-diamond-necklace The Haitian Revolution: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/haitian-revolution How TikTok Took Over The World: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/tik-tok The Marvel Universe: http://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/marvel-universe Prince Andrew | The Black Sheep of The Royal Family: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/prince-andrew

Learn more about Alastair and his work by visiting his website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/

Have you ever wondered why your grammar is nearly perfect when you write, but when you start speaking, you can’t use any of it? In this episode, I’ll dive into why this happens and share tips on how to change it. We’ll explore why you struggle to apply grammar rules in real-time, the difference between writing and speaking, and how you can train your brain to make grammar automatic when you speak.

For more grammar exercises, check out my program, Sprint Master, where you will improve your grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and more in short, 10-minute daily exercises. https://bit.ly/3zGqKQX

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

What happens when you make great progress in something, but then… You’re stuck. You no longer move forward. It happens in so many different areas in life; losing weight, working out, in relationships… but also in English.

You learn new words, build your confidence, improve your pronunciation… but after a while… you feel like nothing else is changing and again you find yourself on that silly hamster wheel.

How can you get to the next level?

In this episode, I’ll share with you 5 ways to reach a new peak and get out of that annoying plateau.

Full transcript and more information is here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/25/

I had the chance to interview Craig Wealand, the host of InglesPodcast, and an English teacher for more than 20 years! He shared his experiences as a teacher, Spanish learner, podcaster and more. I really enjoyed this episode, and I hope you will too!

Listen to Craig’s podcast: https://inglespodcast.com/

Learn with Craig: https://www.englishcraig.com/

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

I’ve been an accent and fluency coach for over 10 years. It hasn’t always been easy but it was always gratifying. I’ve learned new things about English and about my teaching, and I want to share these things with you.

Full transcript and more information is here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/07/

Can we schedule a meeting for Monday at 9 AM? I’m sorry, I’m going to have to cancel our meeting. Whether you’re scheduling, confirming a meeting, or canceling a meeting, today we’re going to talk about essential phrases you can use in everyday English – with a focus on pronunciation and connected speech!

Download the FREE practice sheet with even more useful phrases to practice along with: https://bit.ly/3MOxYp4

The end of 2024 is near – maybe you set some goals for yourself back in January, and even though you’d really love to achieve them,  you’re not sure HOW exactly to do that. The good news is…we still have a quarter left in the year! If you’re wondering how to turn around your practice and get inspired, motivated and determined to achieve your goals, there is a way. 💪 

My membership, Beyond, is now open until Tuesday, September 17! We’ve been keeping it a secret for a while now, because we’ve been making big changes inside. Today, I’ll tell you about what’s inside and how it can help you stay on track and achieve the goals you set for yourself in 2024. Click here to learn more https://hadarshemesh.com/beyond/

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

Taking small actions every day leads to great results. Author Darren Hardy calls it “The Compound Effect”, and it holds for a lot of things in life. In this episode, I’ll discuss how I’ve realized it’s deeply relevant to English learning and speaking. I experienced it in acting school, in the accent training courses I took, and in the past decade in teaching and building my business. I see it in my students as well, as they put in the work day in day out, not seeing immediate results but then reach a breakthrough and impact other people around them.

See more information and links here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/15/

What exactly is a syllable? You may have heard this term a lot, but were never sure how to identify it on your own. Understanding syllables is essential to building a foundation for your pronunciation practice. So today, I’ll explain what a syllable is in English, how to divide a word into syllables, and how it will help your English practice.

Get your FREE syllables practice sheet here! https://bit.ly/3Z9DauZ

For more syllable practice, check out these videos: Schwa – the BEST vowel sound in English https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/schwa/ How to Find the Primary Stress in Words https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-find-the-primary-stress-in-words/ How to find the stress in long words (words with suffixes) https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/long-words/

I’m hosting a FREE 5-day challenge from September 2 - 6. Join us here! https://bit.ly/4dYqfjC

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

Like any other challenge or thing we need to work on, improving your fluency is first and foremost about developing the right mindset. In this video, I’ll discuss some of the things that hold you back and that you really need to let go of if you want to achieve a breakthrough in English. Download 30 English affirmations that will help you reach a breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4739Kkl

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

I mention the schwa almost every time I speak about American English. That’s because this vowel is all over the place, and once you hear it, you never stop hearing it 🙂

The schwa is a very short and “relaxed” kind of vowel. It’s a pretty tricky vowel for non-native speakers but if you get it, you get the secret to American English pronunciation and you become SO much clearer.

Also, you will find yourself investing much less energy in speaking, which is also important 🙂

Tune in and learn more about this special vowel and how to use it. And let me know what you think in the comments below.

Check out a new episode about the schwa here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/157/

You can also watch my older video about the schwa: https://goo.gl/tvDJ6o

And you’ll also find my video on American Intonation helpful: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/american-intonation/

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

In this podcast episode I elaborate on how to practice it effectively and integrate it into your day-to-day speech.

Because forming a sentence is not enough. And making the right sounds isn’t enough. It’s the intonation that determines the meaning of the sentence: is it a question or a statement? Is it a joke and you’re just being sarcastic? This is also where culture and your inner feelings are thrown into the mix. Intonation conveys ALL of that.

To do that you need to know how to practice! This is why I also share my most effective practice techniques that I’ve used myself and with my students, that are going to help you improve your intonation and deliver your message in a clear way.

If you haven’t listened to my previous episode about American intonation, don’t miss out on it: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/12/ 

How not to be monotone when speaking English: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/intonation-pitch/

The R sound is NOT an easy sound to pronounce. Even if you’ve been practicing it for a while, you may feel frustrated that you STILL can’t use it as consistently as you would like.

So today, instead of telling you how to pronounce the sound, I’m giving you the best strategies to practice the R sound and make it STICK!

Download the free R sound PDF to practice with me: https://bit.ly/3Alq9Eq

More episodes about pronouncing the R: 👇🏽

R in English - make it easy with this 10-min daily practice https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/american-r-sound/

Make the American R! | American English Pronunciation https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/the-american-r/

The R sound in English: The most in-depth lesson you’ll ever hear https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/17/

Are you watching the Olympics? Today you’ll learn how to pronounce 10 of the most popular sports in the Olympics, so you can say them like a pro.

Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of my FAVORITE episodes and stories that I’ve shared with you over the past several years on the podcast!

Pronunciation is the door to understanding and mastering spoken English. It’s the secret of speaking with confidence and communicating clearly. In this episode, I pinpoint the reasons why learning pronunciation is crucial if you want to make an impact and not compromise your message. Because this is really what it’s all about. It’s not about you sounding more American and losing your identity. It’s about you feeling amazing in your own skin when you communicate in English.

Full transcript: https://hadarshemesh.com/transcript/podcast-04/

Are you curious about how you can improve your writing in English? In this interview, I speak to teacher, author and non-native speaker, Fabio Cerpelloni as he shares tips for writing, expressing yourself in a second language, and the contradicting rules he writes about in his book, Any Language You Want. 

Read more about Fabio’s work here: https://fabiocerpelloni.com/about/

Over the summer, we’re revisiting some of my FAVORITE episodes and stories that I’ve shared with you over the past several years on the podcast! 

In this episode, I’m re-sharing with you how I transformed from being a timid speaker of English to a pronunciation expert and fluency coach who runs a thriving online business, and how I get to do what I love teaching students from all around the world who inspire me every day. This is my story.

Full transcript: https://hadarshemesh.com/transcript/podcast-02/

Summertime is in full swing, and it has been busy! Summer camp, road trips, weddings and family visits are on the calendar over the next few months. Today I’ll talk about navigating it all, the definition of ‘feeling at home’ and the idea of homesickness.

When you read out loud, do you feel monotonous, like everything you say sounds the same, and there’s no emotion or expression? Whether you’re practicing for a presentation, reading to your kids, or you just want to have more expression when reading, this video is for you. We’ll walk through different ways you can unlock more expression in your voice to sound more engaging when reading out loud.

This week my sister and her children gave us a surprise visit in Barcelona so I sat down with my niece Gaya to talk about our relocation, feelings and plans.

Do you pronounce it day-duh or daa-duh? Or should you pronounce ‘route’ as root or rowt? Today we’re talking about words that have 2 (and sometimes more!) different pronunciations in English.

You’ll learn the different pronunciations of words including data, pecan, adult, envelope, often, and more! Let’s go

This week, I asked on social media if you had any questions for me about what relocation has been like. I got a lot of questions, so we’re splitting it into 2 parts! You ask, I answer. Part 1 Enjoy!

What is a limiting belief in English? Do you have one, or maybe even several? Today, I’m talking all about what those beliefs might sound like, and most importantly, how you can overcome them to step into your full potential and reach limitless fluency in English.

(free!) 30 powerful English affirmations to change your limiting beliefs for good https://bit.ly/41UMrpr

Learn more about my 30-day audio course, My English Mindset https://bit.ly/47wXuYD

It’s been 6 months since we’ve relocated to Spain – I can barely believe it! I’m spending some time today reflecting back on the past few months, comparing my own progress, the progress of my daughters, and sharing how DIFFERENT things look and feel since we arrived in January.

I’m interviewing Jennifer from JForrestEnglish on the show today. Jennifer shares how her own experience as a “failed language learner” inspired her to begin teaching English and helping others improve their listening skills, confidence and mindset.

I enjoyed this talk with Jennifer, and I hope you will too!

Watch my interview on Jennifer’s channel here: https://youtu.be/0ntWvSE8cDI

Check out Jennifer’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@JForrestEnglish

Join my InFluency Community to practice speaking with others for free: https://bit.ly/47tinnp

Getting away from the city, reconnecting with family and nature…I had a chance to do all of that this week and let me tell you, it was much needed!

Hmm, a-ha, eww! Huh…chances are that you’ve come across interjections in English before when reading, but you may not know how to pronounce all of them! In this episode, I’ll share some of the most common interjections in English.

I’ve been teasing it for the past few weeks, but on June 1, we finally had our student meetup! We had 80 students come from all around the world to meet each other – most of us meeting for the very first time in person! It was so incredible, emotional, and special to connect with the students that I’ve known over the screen (some of them for more than 5 years!) and finally hug them in real life.

If you want to join the magic of this community, what are you waiting for? Join our free InFluency Community https://bit.ly/47tinnp

Easily distracted when studying English? Learn how to tune out distractions and laser in on your English to get the results you’re after.

This week I’m talking about all the things that I’m currently planning. The thing is, since the moment I arrived in Spain, I haven’t stopped PLANNING! And even though it seems like a simple thing, I feel it’s one of the most energy consuming things we do! From planning a holiday, to a birthday party for Amalia, a community meetup, team activities, play dates, it’s so. much. planning. In today’s episode I’ll also share with you my tips for how to plan well, and other exciting updates about my community retreat.

In this episode I talk about the impostor syndrome, what it is, and how it affects non-native speakers of English. This is an episode I published 3 years ago, and I wanted to bring it back for all the new people who joined my world recently! Full transcript: https://hadarshemesh.com/transcript/impostor-syndrome/

We all know that speaking a language fluently has tons of advantages. Better communication! New friendships! Less misunderstandings! Life is easier when you understand everyone around you, no doubt. But today, I wanted to think of it from a COMPLETELY different perspective. What are the advantages of NOT being fluent in a language? I’ve noticed quite a few things that I’ve experienced since moving to Spain where I can’t understand everything that’s being spoken around me…and that’s what I want to share with you today.

Can I get that to go? Can I get the dressing on the side? There are tons of useful expressions to know when you go to a restaurant. Today, we’re going to practice 20 of them focusing on pronunciation, rhythm and intonation so the next time you go out to eat in English, you can ask for the specials with confidence and clarity.

Download the free PDF to practice the phrases here! https://bit.ly/4bzjJib

This week, I started taking Spanish classes, and as you can imagine, I have a LOT of thoughts. It’s been a while since I was a student, and being on the receiving end of a class has taught me so much about how important pronunciation, mindset, and strategy are when learning a second language.

Here’s the vocabulary method I developed and am now using to learn and remember new words and grammar structures: https://bit.ly/4ammPFf

It’s been about 4 months since I’ve moved, and now I’m starting to feel like I’ve “settled in”. Today I’ll share updates about my Spanish, and some funny miscommunications that I’m sure you can relate to

Oh, the horror of pronouncing the word horror!! Today, I’m teaching you how to pronounce words that end in -RROR. Words like error, horror, mirror and more. Join me for this fun practice.

Last week, we visited our family and friends back home. Today, I’ll share about how it was to return home, the way I tried to maximize our time there, and what it felt like returning back to Barcelona.

In today’s episode, we’ll practice connected speech in 25 of some of the most common, daily expressions that you can use in your everyday conversations. Wadaya-think?

Download the free practice sheet with audio here to see the transcript and follow along: https://bit.ly/49SSm1s

Check out my other episodes to learn the basics of connected speech:

I hit a million followers on YouTube! Today, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned over the past several years, with hundreds of videos later, and how I view this milestone.

I’ve been promising I’d tell you this story for several weeks now…and I won’t hold you in suspense any longer. Here’s the story of my refrigerator, and a much bigger story about dealing with circumstances completely out of your control.

If you’re living in Spain and looking for a moving company, this is the company that I can’t recommend enough! http://www.mudanzasdiagonal.com/

I got really sick. In this episode I talk about why it was different to be sick in a different country, what was the hardest thing for me, and the funny thing that happened at the pharmacy

Do you know the 5 most common words in English? Are you actually pronouncing them the RIGHT WAY? You might be surprised! Tune in to this episode to learn about how to actually pronounce the most common words that appear in the English language.

Practice more of these words in phrases and sentences on my website: https://bit.ly/3THEdOw

Relocating can bring up all kinds of emotions – happiness, sadness, loneliness, hopefulness…and sometimes all of the emotions can all happen at once. Today I want to share with you how I’m dealing with different emotions, and some of the ways I’m processing them.

How do you process your emotions?

Sign up for my FREE live class: https://bit.ly/3U0xuk9

Do you ever feel fake in English, especially when it comes to pronunciation? This is something that I’ve seen many of my students struggle with. Today, I want to talk about why you might feel fake, and how you can feel more authentic, and like yourself when you speak.

I’m talking about this and more in my free live class, grab your spot here! https://bit.ly/3U0xuk9

In today’s episode of My Relocation Diaries, I share an update with you about my journey to getting certified as a Life Coach through The Life Coach School. It was most definitely a challenging and humbling experience, but I learned a lot – and that’s what I want to talk about today.

Check out the Life Coach School podcast: https://thelifecoachschool.com/podcast/

Did you know there’s not actually a U sound in words like audio and author? It’s true! In this episode, I’ll show you how to pronounce words that have an AU and AW spelling pattern in English.

In this episode I talk about friendships. I will take you through what friendships looked like for me before I moved here, what has changed, and how I’m making new connections here now. I’ll also talk about how we change over the years in the way we make friends and the way we find the right people for us.

This episode was recorded with enormous love to all my friends here and there. I’m grateful for having you in my life.

Have you ever needed to disagree with someone in English, but weren’t sure how exactly to say it? In this episode, I’ll share with you several different ways you can (politely) disagree with someone the next time you don’t see eye to eye with them

Today, I’m starting to share my humble experience learning Spanish living in Barcelona, and trying to understand others and get by. It’s not as easy as I thought it would be! But I’m working on finding my path.

Tune in to listen to my episode and hear what it’s like to be an absolute beginner in a new language.

Practice pronunciation with me! Suffixes in English often change the pronunciation and stress on a word, which can make guessing the right pronunciation a bit stressful. But in this episode, I’ll show you how to pronounce words with the -ally suffix with ease.

What other words with the -ally suffix can you think of?

In this episode, the examples include how to pronounce the words:

If moving to a new country does anything, it definitely shakes up your daily routine. In this episode, I’ll talk about how I’m balancing productivity, creating a different work environment, developing different routines and balancing family time in Barcelona.

Do you want to improve your communication skills in professional environments in English? That’s exactly what we’re talking about today with Lindsay from All Ears English. We talk about how business English has changed since the pandemic, and how you can succeed in conversations remotely or in-person. 

Useful Business English phrases, recommended by Lindsay:

Connect with Lindsay on All Ears English 

Website: https://www.allearsenglish.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/all_ears_english/ Subscribe to All Ears English Podcast: https://www.allearsenglish.com/episodes/ Check out Lindsay’s Business English course https://bit.ly/30AttqB 

Listen to our previous interview together: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/68/

Today I’m sharing with you the CRAZIEST thing I’ve ever done and how I moved my entire family to Spain…before even knowing if I would receive the visa. I’ll also share why the power of our thoughts can either limit us, or allow us to take risks we never could have imagined, but get us big results.

Whether you’re a passionate polyglot, or you have to learn several languages out of necessity, you might have wondered if learning more than one language can harm your progress in English. In today’s episode, I’ll share my thoughts, and what steps you can take if you are learning more than one language at a time.

Did you like this episode? Check out the episode “Will Learning Other Accents Mess Up My English?” https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/listening-to-different-accents/

Moving to a new country can be scary, and you need to build a new sense of confidence in this new place. I realized that the only way for me to overcome my fear of ‘not belonging’ or ‘doing something wrong’ is by building my confidence little by little by taking small actions. And that’s what I’m talking about today.

Video version is available here: https://youtu.be/sEDlJwSUF_4

Guess what!? I moved! In January, 2024, my family and I packed up and moved to Barcelona. A new country, new language(s), and many, many challenges.

This new series, Relocation Diaries, will be about the struggles, conflicts, happy moments, learning a language, mindset work, and how I almost lost my mind over one refrigerator (long story, coming soon).

I knew I wanted to document this time and share it with you. Get ready for more behind the scenes of my life and my business!

Tag questions in English can be tricky, can’t they? In today’s lesson, we’ll talk about how to pronounce tag questions in English so you can use them confidently.

Download the free PDF to practice tag questions: https://hadarshemesh.com/tagquestions

Today I had the honor of interviewing Keith from English Speaking Success, where he shared his experience and best tips and tricks for helping students succeed in the IELTS exam, and feel more confident in their speaking.

Learn more about Keith’s courses here: Keithspeakingacademy.com

Follow Keith’s channel to get more tips that will develop your speaking and prepare you for IELTS: https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishSpeakingSuccess

Watch my interview on Keith’s channel: https://youtu.be/_Bg7fKuEBx8

What are the hardest words to pronounce in English? Don’t take it from me! I asked this question to my students and here’s what they said. What English word is the hardest for you to pronounce?

What does it take to overcome your fear in English and express yourself freely and completely?

In this episode I interview my student, Daniela Vašinková, who lives in the Czech Republic. We talk about Daniela’s story of learning English (without having ever lived in an English speaking country), and how she went from avoiding all conversations, to becoming the outgoing, influential and incredible speaker that she is today.

Daniela was a student of mine in my signature program, New Sound (get on the waitlist here https://bit.ly/48NUVSP), and a pillar in my membership community, Beyond!

Beyond is now closed for registration, but you can join the waitlist here: https://bit.ly/3ujoc8I

You know you should practice your English, but it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to begin, what to study, or how to do it effectively. Today I’ll walk you through the essential elements you need to begin practicing more consistently in English.

Add a quick, easy and fun daily 10-minute practice to your routine for free! Become a Sprint Rookie: https://bit.ly/43pCotf 

Videos to help you know what to focus on and practice more effectively:

Join the 7-Day Start Strong Challenge for free: https://bit.ly/41XW8UM

How can you actually set goals that you are excited about and that you’ll commit to in 2024?

In this episode, we’ll talk about how you can start and stay strong in 2024 by creating goals that set you up for success.

And, if you want to set your goals with me, build habits that last, get more practice, speaking opportunities and lots more, I’m inviting you to our Start Strong Challenge from January 22 – 28. It’s 100% FREE!

Join the challenge today. We start January 22! https://bit.ly/41XW8UM

Have you ever thought that listening to different accents might confuse you or slow down your progress in English? This is a concern that I’ve heard a lot over the years, and today I’ll share the truth about what listening to different accents and dialects can actually do to your English.

Do you want to begin thinking in English more? Naturally, it can be challenging to switch from thinking in your native language to English. But today, I’m sharing with you three strategies that I’ve used myself to start thinking in English.

Are you already using any of these strategies? Let me know!

Anesthesia, syringe, malignant tumor…so many words that look intimidating in medicine, but are essential to know! In today’s episode, I’ll share 10 common words used in medicine, what they mean, and how to pronounce them.

Download the free PDF to follow along with the audio and see the definition, IPA transcription, and example sentences: https://bit.ly/3TCKCMz

Whether you need to go to a doctor and use English, or you just want to brush up on your medical vocabulary, you’ll enjoy this episode!

We use “has to”, “have to” and “had to” all the time when we speak, but did you know that something interesting happens to them in connected speech? Find out how in this episode.

Connected speech in English – why do we need it? https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/connected-speech-in-english/

How to connect words in American English? | Tips & Tricks https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/connected-speech/

You’ve heard that making mistakes are bad…but what if I told you that making mistakes can actually improve your English and get you closer to your fluency goals? In today’s episode, we’re talking about three different types of mistakes in English, and how you can use each mistake to learn from it and identify what you need to work on to overcome those challenges.

Practice your English through daily, effective fun repetitions using my SPRINTS! https://hadarshemesh.com/sprint-rookie/

Transcribe your speech using Descript https://www.descript.com/

Get my free ChatGPT guide and boost your English practice: https://hadarshemesh.com/chatgpt-freebie/

Hot, work, photo, who…these words all have the letter ‘O’ in them, but each O is pronounced completely different! In this lesson, I’ll teach you the different pronunciations of the letter O in American English, and how to develop a method for pronouncing it accurately when you’re not sure.

Watch the full video version of it here: https://youtu.be/nsCyAWyqn4k

Ready for a Q&A with me? I’m answering all questions about pronunciation. Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover in today’s episode:

Do you have questions for me? Submit them here: https://bit.ly/3L71bu8

Are you looking for a different approach to becoming more fluent in English? There are a lot of tips and resources out there for how to improve your spoken English, but today, we’re discussing uncommon, practical and unconventional strategies that you might have never heard of. These strategies are designed to help you get fluent and take your spoken English to the next level – fast!

Resources mentioned:

In this episode we’re going to talk about the H, and talk about what happens to the T, K and P’s at the beginning of words (hint, it has to do with H’s).

For more resources watch these videos:

In this episode, I’m showing you the ins and outs of the exact method I use to teach pronunciation to my students, and how you can use the same method on your own to get great results. 

Not sure what sounds to start with? Listen to this episode: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/348/ 

Resources I’ve prepared for you with words, phrases and sentences to practice:

More resources for you: 

In this episode, I’ll share how to use the 80/20 principle and apply it to your English practice.

Join my free speaking community – The InFluency Community: https://bit.ly/47tinnp

Transform your mindset in English through my 30-day audio course My English Mindset: https://bit.ly/47wXuYD

Do you sometimes get stuck in conversations, looking for the right word but you just can’t find it? It can ruin your flow, and your confidence when communicating with others.

In today’s episode, we’ll talk about WHY it happens, and what you can do when you find yourself stuck!

Boost your communication with my FREE 5-Step Vocabulary Planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv

What would it feel like to speak English with your full potential? In our final episode of this mini-series, this mindset talk is all about overcoming internal obstacles to do just that!

If you feel like you want to take the next step in working on your mindset and untapping your full potential in English, I’m inviting you to join my 30-day audio training, My English Mindset today: https://bit.ly/3VdK0eW

Can you pronounce the difference between sell and sale or want and won’t? In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to effectively pronounce the 5 diphthongs of American English.

Download your FREE practice sheet with words, minimal pairs and sentences so you can learn common words with diphthongs, and pronounce them like a pro  https://bit.ly/49g4drm

Your environment has a BIG impact on setting yourself up for English success. This mindset episode will show you how to create the right environment to thrive.

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we’ll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected.

If you feel like you want to take the next step in working on your mindset and untapping your full potential in English, I’m inviting you to join my 30-day audio training, My English Mindset today: https://bit.ly/3VdK0eW

Do you need feedback to improve your English? You might think that the ONLY way to improve is to have a teacher or person that can give you feedback and corrections on everything that you say.

While having a teacher that can give you feedback is certainly valuable, you can absolutely improve without having a teacher or anyone to give you feedback when you practice!

Having a teacher give feedback can be a privilege that many people don’t have. You might feel that if you don’t get feedback, you’ll never be able to get to where you want to be. But that’s not the case at all!

In this episode, I’ll talk about the pros and cons of receiving feedback, and how you can give yourself feedback – no teacher required!

Now I want to hear from you. Have you found a strategy to practice giving yourself feedback on your own? Do you have any tips for the rest of us? Let me know in the comments!

Check out the following episodes:

Do you ever feel fake in English? This episode will focus on what to do when you feel fake in English. Whether that’s fearing what others will think, staying in your comfort zone, or falling victim to imposter syndrome, we’ll talk about it all!

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we’ll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected.

If you feel like you want to take the next step in working on your mindset and untapping your full potential in English, I’m inviting you to join my 30-day audio training, My English Mindset today: https://bit.ly/3VdK0eW

Why do I feel like a fraud every time I speak English? | The Impostor Syndrome: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/11/

Do you want a bigger vocabulary? Of course! Who doesn’t? But there are many methods out there that might be harming you instead of helping.

If you’ve ever tried to learn new vocabulary, you know that it can feel impossible at times, or overwhelming when you think about all the words you need to learn.

Even worse is when you spend time learning vocab, but then you can’t put it in a sentence when you need it!

Today, I’m talking about the WORST techniques to improve your vocabulary. Avoid these techniques to save yourself time and prevent future headaches . I’ll also be showing you proven methods that will ACTUALLY help you boost your vocabulary in a way that is productive, easy and will make words stick for good.

To get started, download my FREE 5-Step Vocabulary Planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv

Check out more videos about building vocabulary:

How To Learn New Vocabulary | Build Pronunciation Confidence https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-learn-new-vocabulary/

Want to improve your speaking vocabulary? STOP LEARNING NEW WORDS https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/improve-speaking-vocabulary/

Have you ever dealt with criticism or unsolicited comments about your accent or your English? In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we’ll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected.

Learn about how to deal with criticism in English, and how to change the negative thoughts in your head you might have when it comes to what you think about your English.

I love success stories. Especially when I see someone who I identify with achieving the things I want to achieve in life. That’s why I’m so excited to share with you today’s real-life success stories!

In this episode, I’m interviewing 6 of my New Sound students as they share their experience inside New Sound, and what has become possible for them during and after.

Join New Sound today: https://bit.ly/3ZcYhus

They’ll share what are the things that they needed to learn, and the things they needed to let go of to speak English powerfully, clearly and fluently.

They will also share the values of what New Sound is all about: speaking up, being heard, and using your English voice to change your life. And mostly, when we build pronunciation confidence, we feel more free and fluent, and much more like ourselves when speaking.

My students with me today are:

Rosario Oliva, a Software developer living in Italy Antonina Zusko, an English tutor from Ukraine, now living in the US Luciana Caraça, a UX Designer from Brazil, now living in Portugal Fred Silva, a digital marketer living in Brazil Muxiang Liu Pajerski, a National Marketing Technology Project Manager from China, now living in the US Sheena Weeden, a stay-at-home mom from the Philippines, now living in the US

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we’ll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected. Today’s episode is about how to get unstuck.

Today, we’re talking about the feeling of being stuck in your English journey. Have you ever experienced that? Maybe you’ve been practicing for a while, but you’re not seeing the results you hoped to see. Or maybe, you’re just not feeling the same passion or excitement anymore as you practice. In today’s talk, I’m going to share with you why these feelings might happen, and what you can do to overcome these feelings.

If you’re looking for a way to get unstuck in your English and reach a breakthrough, I’m inviting you to check out my program New Sound. New Sound is the only program that focuses on the exact elements that will transform your English, build your confidence, and level up your pronunciation in English. Click here to learn more! https://bit.ly/3ZcYhus Registration closes on September 21.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning on your own?

There are so many benefits to learning on your own, especially now that we have access to so many materials, videos and practice online. We can literally learn whenever and however we want!

But sometimes we get off track, get stuck, or simply don’t know what to focus on. What can we do from there? What does it take to keep the momentum going when studying alone, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of learning on your own? That’s exactly what we’ll talk about today.

If you’re looking for a system with a full circle of support that keeps you on track, motivated and inspired, I’m inviting you to check out my program New Sound which is open for enrollment until Thursday, September 21. https://bit.ly/3ZcYhus

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we’ll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected. Today’s episode is about managing your thoughts about your accent.

When you hear yourself speak in English you might have a lot of judgement or self-doubt, and today’s topic is all about how to handle those thoughts and feelings that might come up.

If you’re looking for more actionable steps to go from avoiding speaking in English to speaking with impact, I’m inviting you to join my free Masterclass where we’ll be talking about 3 powerful strategies to get you the results you want to see in your English. Save your seat here: https://bit.ly/44ARgEU

Finally, if you’re ready for a real transformation in the way you think, feel and sound in English, doors open for my transformational program New Sound in just a few days! Click here to learn more: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

Have you seen the movie Barbie? Recently, I went to the theater to watch it with my mom and sister, and immediately knew I HAD to make a video about it. 

America Ferrera’s monologue in the movie Barbie is a great example of how the different elements of speech come together to deliver an important message. 

Want to join the FREE 5-Day Pronunciation Training? Click here! https://bit.ly/3Ebb5rs 

For the full transcript to practice with and the video version, click here: https://bit.ly/47YWGwh 

Watch my other speech analysis of America Ferrera: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/america-ferrera-ted-talk-analysis/

What does it take to build confidence in a language and country that you weren’t born into?

In today’s episode, I’m interviewing my student Zoraida Cruz. Zoraida is from Nicaragua and immigrated to the US as a teenager. She shares her experiences of living in a predominantly Spanish-speaking community, the struggles she faced and how ultimately she was able to completely transform her English and confidence to become an unstoppable communicator.

Zoraida was a student in my program New Sound. Read more about New Sound here: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

With so many videos, lessons and information out there, how do you know WHERE to get started learning pronunciation? In this episode, I’ll take you step-by-step through how to learn pronunciation and save yourself time and frustration.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

In this new mini-series called Mindset Talks, we’ll be tackling different topics around mindset and English and how they are connected. Today’s episode is about How to Find Motivation. Something so many English learners struggle with. But the motivation I’m going to talk about today might be a little different than what you think of when you hear the word motivation.

What’s the difference between sheep-ship, pool-pull and bus-boss? There are so many words in English where the difference between the words are small, but so important!

Vowels are essential for sounding clear in English. The problem is that English has SO MANY vowels, and many of them don’t exist in other languages!

That’s why today, I’ve made a full vowel practice where we can practice all of the vowels of English together.

Watch the full vowel masterclass for more of an explanation about each vowel: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/english-vowels/

Practice your vowels daily for FREE with The Sprint Rookie! https://hadarshemesh.com/sprint-rookie/

I love getting to interview my New Sound students!

Fred is an entrepreneur and hosts his own podcast for English learners where he interviews others about their journey. He immediately got my attention when I saw him in New Sound – he was ready for a challenge and eager to improve.

Today, I had the chance to interview him. Fred’s story is full of motivation and valuable tips for English learners, regardless of where you’re at in your journey.

Listen to our interview on Fred’s channel: https://youtu.be/mF8YXAieZV0

Get on the waitlist for New Sound: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

Jokes in English, they’re not always easy to understand Humor can be tricky to master in a different language. There are a lot of cultural references, nuances, wordplay, and more that can make a joke hard to understand. That’s why this week, I’m bringing different styles of jokes you might find in English, and the explanation behind them!

What’s your favorite joke in English?

Watch the video version here: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/jokes-in-english/

How does English, intonation, rhythm and rap combine into one interview? You’ll just have to watch today’s episode to find out! I’m interviewing Jason R. Levine, also known as Fluency MC (https://www.youtube.com/fluencymc) on the channel today. Jason is an English teacher, content developer, and songwriter with the goal to help English learners use and memorize grammar, vocabulary, intonation and more through raps and songs. I can’t wait for you to listen to this week’s interview! 

Learn more about Jason’s work: 

What’s the difference between sheep-ship, beat-bit, leave-live, sheet-sh and beach-b…you know what I mean!

In this episode, I’m going to explain the differences between these two vowels. Practice these sounds with me for free! Download your sheep-ship practice now: https://bit.ly/44Z4aO2

Want to level up your pronunciation? Get on the waitlist for my signature program, New Sound! Doors open soon: https://bit.ly/47pygvK

In this episode, I speak with coach and ESL teacher Sim Ahmadu about her journey from growing up in a small village without any knowledge of English, to becoming an accent and communication coach for a global IT company in Nigeria.

This episode was originally published on Sep 24, 2020. To see the video version, click here: https://youtu.be/j6Zwo-BeVqM

Follow Sim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddigitalbee/ Subscribe to her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DDigitalBee