Business Communication Instruction shares the latest news, tips, techniques, and methods being used by instructors today to make their classes more rewarding and enjoyable.

Want to Sound More Native? Do This! Common Contractions in English Part 1: IS ARE AM

"If you really want to sound more natural and native in your spoken English you have to use contractions. I know it can seem counterintuitive, but contractions are essential in mastering the rhythm and flow of spoken English. In this lesson, part 1 in a 3-part series, we will practice contracting IS, ARE and AM. Stay tuned for the next 2 lessons in this series helping you to become aware of, and practice, the MOST common contractions in English."

Watch the video by Keenyn Rhodes . . .

English Speaking Practice: Compound Nouns and Descriptive Phrases

One of the keys to sounding more natural in your spoken English is mastering the rhythm of the language. There are patterns for pronouncing certain types of words and phrases. Learning these can really help you in perfecting your fluency and flow. In this lesson, we'll practice speaking compound nouns and descriptive phrases- two very common combinations!"

Watch the video by Keenyn Rhodes (photo, left) . . .

How to Pronounce the L Sound in American English Part 1 | The Light L Sound | L vs R

"In this American English pronunciation lesson you will learn all about the pronunciation of L at the beginning of words and syllables (the Light L sound) and you will learn how to distinguish L vs R."

Watch the video by Keenyn Rhodes (photo, left) . . .

Practice Linking Words and American T Using 10 Common Phrasal Verbs with Get

"In this American accent lesson, you will get loads of practice with linking words and using American T while learning 10 common phrasal verbs with 'get.'"

Watch the video by Keenyn Rhodes (photo, left) . . .

5 Words That Don’t Mean What They Used to Mean

Linguist John McWhorter "traces the evolution of five words that have spent millennia drifting from one meaning into another."

Read the full article . . .

What Did You Say? 4 Tips for Understanding Accents at Work

"Living and working abroad, or even just working on a diverse team with international colleagues, can be exciting—new cultures, languages, and ways of expression are all around you."

"But, it can also be difficult, especially when you don’t understand the conversation. Even if you’re technically speaking the same language, working with people who have dialects or accents you’re not used to can be a very difficult feat."

Read the full article by Elise Marraro (photo, left) . . .

Let’s Simplify Legal Jargon

"Tax forms, credit agreements, healthcare legislation: They're crammed with gobbledygook, says Alan Siegel, and incomprehensibly long. He calls for a simple, sensible redesign — and plain English — to make legal paperwork intelligible to the rest of us."

Watch the video . . .
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