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| TELL US YOUR STORYFeatured Article
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We would like to hear from you and are very interested in the story of how you have created a successful and prosperous life in the United States.
We are featuring one such story in this issue.
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OUR PROGRAMS
Transforming
accents from
communication
barriers to
charming
cultural flavors!
Individuals-Groups
Basic Level:
Compton P-ESL
Specialized:
Medically Speaking
Regional Dialects:
Speak Standard, Too!
Advanced: MEEC
Guided Self-Study:
Accent Master
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We are passionate about helping our clients speak English clearly and with confidence! YOU CAN DO IT and we will help you!
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We at Triangle Speech Services are licensed speech-language pathologists who specialize in foreign accent and regional dialect modification. This month we featuring one of our client's stories which we hope will inspire you.
Also, at the bottom you will find a coupon with a code worth $70.00 towards the tuition for our Saturday Seminar Series which has been postponed and will start on February 23. |
MY STORY by J.M.
[J.M.'s story reveals his dedication, drive and determination. An Engineering Manager at an area company, he earned his MBA from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at UNC in 2007 and then enrolled in the P-ESL program which he has just completed with over an 80% reduction in accented features. He plans to continue with the advanced MEEC program later this year.]
Gaining a basic command of English prior to moving to the US has made the biggest difference in my professional experience compared to that of the average Latin American immigrant.
After earning my BSEE at the National Polytechnic U. of Mexico, I targeted companies outside of my country. Despite receiving English instruction throughout middle and high school, my level of understanding was reduced to pure translation. Therefore I decided to aggressively pursue my goal of learning more comprehensive English skills and took intensive English classes for two consecutive years, 5 days a week, 4 hours a day.
I entered the highly demanding field of technology in the US in 1999 with writing and communication skills that enabled me to compete in international project management activities but were dramatically below the proficiency level of an average American.
My family and I realized that we had to master verbal, as well as written communication to be successfully integrated into American society so we created a sequential plan to improve these skills. We took many grammar classes and learned that American English in practice is different than what is taught in International Schools.
I then used multiple aids in an effort to improve my pronunciation. The results were encouraging but limited, even as my language became more proficient. Next I decided to leave international work settings and obtain a local job where I would have to speak only English with Americans. This helped my pronunciation some but my progress reached a plateau as I was unable to recognize some of my own mistakes when speaking.
I applied to graduate school for my MBA and my English skills allowed me to obtain high scores on the TOEFL and GMAT tests. Once in the program I realized that my writing skills were on par with my fellow students but my foreign accent still made my speech stand out. American graduate students displayed extremely high levels of articulation during presentations.
After earning the MBA while working full time, I enrolled in the more focused P-ESL program with Ms. Bergman at Triangle Speech Services where I learned and practiced the intricate details of American speech production. I am fully aware that mastering American pronunciation may be a lifetime commitment, but I also know that the benefits in the workplace are undeniable. Further, as my children grow up speaking primarily English, my improved speaking skills bring me closer to them and establish a model for them to follow.
As I see it, the current immigration problems in the US need to be addressed by encouraging cultural integration; and the first step to accomplish such integration is, without a doubt, mastery of the official language.
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REGISTER NOW FOR OUR SEMINAR: MASTERING THE IDIOMS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH
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 Saturday Seminars are four sessions designed for busy professionals who are non-native but fluent speakers of American English. The first series has been postponed and is now scheduled for the last Saturdays of February, March, April and May (2/23, 3/29, 4/28 and 5/31) from 1:30 to 4:30 PM at the Woodcroft Professional Center in Durham. The first nine people to contact us with the coupon code below will be registered with the $70.00 tuition reduction.
Materials: Mastering the Idioms of American English, by LDS Assoc.include two spiral bound workbooks and four audio CDs. Volume I stresses idioms with front vowels and Volume II,/r/ colored vowels and diphthongs. You will receive pronunciation instruction, learn correct grammar and practice using these idioms in conversation.
Fees: Materials - $100
Tuition for 12 hours of group instruction: $280 less $70 coupon = $210.00
Total Due: $310.00 - VISA and Master Card accepted.
Register NOW to get the reduced rate. Class size limited to 10 and our first registrant has also been given the discount.
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Click on Triangle Speech Services to visit our informative website. We hope to see you at our Idioms Seminar, in one of our accent modification programs or at our Duke U. Sounds of English Course I.D. #11495 scheduled for March 1 and 8. Read the course description and register by going to Duke Continuing Studies.
Sincerely,
Judith L. Bergman M.A. CCC, Founder & Director
Triangle Speech Services |
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