Clarity Accent Modification
The Clarity Accent Modification podcast is committed to teaching adults how to modify their speech to be better understood in social or professional settings. Learn how to pronounce American vowels and consonants correctly, and understand the differences in rhythm, pitch, and syllable stress that can make you more or less intelligible to others. English is not always spelled the way it is pronounced, and tricky words are discussed. Be more confident speaking with friends, family, co-workers and clients. Communication is a key factor in business and social relationships, so if you are living or working with Americans, modifying your accent so that you are better understood can increase your confidence.
Episodes
How Adverbs Can Change Meaning | From Excited to Sarcastic to Doubtful
In this video, we’ll explore how adverbs like actually, really, and even — when combined with the right tone of voice — can dramatically change the mood of your sentence. The same words can sound excited, sarcastic, doubtful, or sincere depending on how you say them.
✔️ Hear how adverbs shift meaning when tone changes ✔️ Practice sounding enthusiastic, sarcastic...
How Intonation Can Change Meaning | Stressing Different Words for Clarity
In this video, we’ll explore how stressing one particular word in a sentence can completely change its meaning in American English. By shifting which word you emphasize, you can clarify intent, add emotion, or even correct misunderstandings.
✔️ Hear how the same sentence sounds different when stress moves to another word ✔️ Practice stressing key words to hig...
Patterns of Syllable Stress in American English – Part 6 | How Suffix Type Affects Word Stress
In this video, we’ll explore how the type of suffix in a word can determine where the syllable stress falls in American English. Recognizing these patterns can make it much easier to predict stress placement when you see new or complex words.
✔️ Learn which suffixes shift the stress (like “-ation” or “-ity”) ✔️ Discover suffixes that don’...
Patterns of Syllable Stress in American English – Part 5 | Word Variations & Parts of Speech
In this video, we’ll explore how syllable stress changes depending on a word’s part of speech — like the difference between a noun and a verb. Understanding these patterns will help you sound more natural and avoid common pronunciation mistakes.
✔️ Learn how stress shifts in word pairs like “record,” “permit,” and “increase” ✔️ Understa...
Pitch, Tone & Prosody – Part 2 | Practice Prosody Using Pitch and Tone
In this video, we’ll begin practicing prosody — the natural rhythm and melody of speech — by focusing on pitch and tone. Mastering prosody is one of the most important steps to sounding fluent and natural in American English.
✔️ Learn how pitch rises and falls in everyday conversation ✔️ Practice tone variations to express meaning and emotion ✔️ Start buildi...
Final Sounds: Voiced or Unvoiced? | Word Quiz & Listening Practice
In this video, we’ll test your ability to hear the difference between voiced and unvoiced final consonant sounds in American English. Changing the voicing of a final sound can completely change the meaning of the word — so it’s important to train your ear to catch it!
✔️ Listen for subtle differences between final voiced and unvoiced consonants ✔️ Practice with ...
Patterns of Syllable Stress in American English – Part 4 | Compound Words & Phrasal Verbs
In this video, we’ll look at how syllable stress works in compound words and phrasal verbs in American English. These types of words follow specific stress patterns that can completely change the meaning if used incorrectly.
✔️ Learn stress rules for compound nouns like “greenhouse” vs. “green house” ✔️ Practice phrasal verbs like “give up...
Long U vs. Horseshoe U (ʊ) | Hear the Difference & Take the Quiz
In this video, you’ll learn the difference between the Long U sound (/uː/ as in blue or room) and the Horseshoe U sound (/ʊ/ as in book or put) in Standard American English. Then, you’ll take a reading quiz to practice saying them correctly.
✔️ Hear side-by-side examples of the two vowel sounds ✔️ Focus on words spelled with “oo” — which ones use Long U and which ...
Pitch, Tone & Prosody – Part 1 | Practice Prosody Using Pitch and Tone
In this video, we’ll begin practicing prosody — the natural rhythm and melody of speech — by focusing on pitch and tone. Mastering prosody is one of the most important steps to sounding fluent and natural in American English.
✔️ Learn how pitch rises and falls in everyday conversation ✔️ Practice tone variations to express meaning and emotion ✔️ Start buildi...
Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English | Real Client Review #33
In this video, we’re reviewing real client pronunciation challenges—featuring words that are commonly mispronounced in Standard American English. These examples come directly from an accent coaching session and are perfect for practice if you're working on clear, confident English.
✔️ Improve your pronunciation of tricky American English words
✔️ Hear wh...
Patterns of Syllable Stress in American English – Part 3 | Three-Syllable Words
In this video, we’ll explore how to identify and use the correct syllable stress in three-syllable words in American English. Getting the stress right is essential for sounding natural and being clearly understood.
✔️ Learn common stress patterns in three-syllable nouns, verbs, and adjectives ✔️ Practice with examples like “family,” “remember,” and “exc...
TR Blends Practice Video | Why “TR” Sounds Like “CH” in American English
In Standard American English, the “TR” blend is often pronounced more like a “CH” sound. In this video, we’ll practice this common pronunciation pattern using real words and sentences to help you sound more natural and fluent.
✔️ Hear how “TR” changes in words like “tree,” “train,” and “try” ✔️ Practice the sound shift from /tɹ/ to /ʧɹ/ ✔️ Build confidence and...
Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English | Real Client Review #32
In this video, we’re reviewing real client pronunciation challenges—featuring words that are commonly mispronounced in Standard American English. These examples come directly from an accent coaching session and are perfect for practice if you're working on clear, confident English.
✔️ Improve your pronunciation of tricky American English words
✔️ Hear which ...
Patterns of Syllable Stress in American English – Part 2 | Two-Syllable Verbs
In this video, we’ll focus on how syllable stress works in two-syllable verbs in American English. Verbs often follow different stress patterns than nouns and adjectives, and using the wrong stress can affect how well you're understood.
✔️ Learn common stress rules for two-syllable verbs ✔️ Practice with examples like “begin,” “decide,” and “reply” ✔️ Imp...
How to Reduce a Slovakian Accent | Speak with a Standard American English Accent
In this video, you’ll listen to a Slovakian accent sample and learn how to adjust specific sounds, rhythm, and intonation to move closer to a Standard American English accent. We’ll break down the key pronunciation patterns and prosody features that can be modified for clearer, more native-like speech.
✔️ Identify common vowel and consonant substitutio...
Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English | Real Client Review #31
In this video, we’re reviewing real client pronunciation challenges—featuring words that are commonly mispronounced in Standard American English. These examples come directly from an accent coaching session and are perfect for practice if you're working on clear, confident English.
✔️ Improve your pronunciation of tricky American English words
✔️ Hear which ...
Patterns of Syllable Stress in American English – Part 1 | One- and Two-Syllable Nouns & Adjectives
In this video, we’ll explore how syllable stress works in one- and two-syllable nouns and adjectives in American English. Knowing which syllable to stress can help you sound more fluent, professional, and easy to understand.
✔️ Learn common stress rules for short nouns and adjectives ✔️ Hear examples like “table,” “happy,” and “w...
How to Pronounce the OY Diphthong in Standard American English | Practice with Words and SEntences
In this video, we’ll practice how to pronounce the OY diphthong in Standard American English — a combination of two vowel sounds that glide together smoothly. You’ll hear this sound in words like “boy,” “choice,” and “employee.”
✔️ Learn how to shape your mouth to pronounce the OY diphthong clearly ✔️ Practice with common vocabulary ...
How to Say “It’d,” “They’d,” “She’d”: Contractions with Would and Had | Accent Training Tips
In this video, we’ll break down how native English speakers naturally use and pronounce contractions with 'would' and 'had' in everyday speech.
✔️ Learn the difference between “she’d gone” (had) and “she’d like to” (would)
✔️ Practice the rhythm and reduced sounds for smoother, more natural speech
✔️ Improve your American English accent and...
Commonly Mispronounced Words in American English | Real Client Review #30
In this video, we’re reviewing real client pronunciation challenges—featuring words that are commonly mispronounced in Standard American English. These examples come directly from an accent coaching session and are perfect for practice if you're working on clear, confident English.
✔️ Improve your pronunciation of tricky American English words
✔️ Hear which l...
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