Successfully Speaking

 
 "Achieve Excellence in Communication"
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Lynda Katz Wilner, M.S., CCC-SLP is a corporate communication trainer and 
a Speech and Language Pathologist.
She is the founder and director of Successfully Speaking, a woman-owned communication consulting firm, which specializes in professional speaking skills, foreign accent modification, and regional dialect reduction for native and non-native speakers.
 
Ms. Wilner developed and published Medically Speaking: Accent Modification for the Medical Profession, The Medically Speaking Inventory: Assessment of Accented Speech, and collaborated with Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker in the development of  RULES, Medically Speaking RULES, and RULES BY THE SOUND. She trains individuals, groups, and trainers around the United States with her unique programs. 
June 2010
Greetings!  
 
I came across interesting information in a recent seminar by Charles Hall on "Preparing to Teach ESP (English for Specific Purposes) in the Real World: Call Centers and Multilingual Workplaces."

David Graddol conducted research for the British Council (2006). He cites the World Tourism Organisation [sic] stating  that the majority of interpersonal communications in English does not involve native speakers of English. 
  • 74% are between two non-native English speakers
  • 12% are with English speakers to speakers from other countries
  • 10% are speakers from other countries to English speakers
  • 4% are "native" English speakers communicating with each other

Although, this study was looking at tourism, it raises an interesting challenge. In today's workplace, much of the communication is also between non-native speakers. We need to help our employees not only modify their own accents or speaking patterns to be understood but also teach them to listen and understand other accents.

You can learn more about our programs at www.successfully-speaking.com.
Tips For Understanding  Accented Speech
 
  • Observe body language and facial expressions for cues
  • Listen to the context of the message
  • Ask them to slow down
  • Ask them to repeat or tell you another way
  • Ask them to spell the word you do not understand
  
If you still do not understand, TELL THEM!
 
      My clients say they usually know when you are feigning comprehension and they prefer and appreciate your honesty and feedback.
Our Vision
Successfully Speaking enables individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve excellence in communication and maximize their professional success.
 
Questions?
 
Please contact us if you have any questions about how to approach employees, colleagues, or friends who are having difficulty with communication skills. contact us 
 
How it is presented will influence their success in the training process.
 
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ESL RULES, LLC is a division of Successfully Speaking. We develop training programs and materials for non-native English speakers. Learn more about us at www.eslrules.com.
 
With warm regards, 
 
Lynda  
 
Lynda Katz Wilner, M.S.
Successfully Speaking
 
Telephone/Fax: 410.356.5666