The InFluency Podcast

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: Cultural and Culturally Digital and Digitally Natural and Naturally Accident and Accidentally Specific and Specifically

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: I apologize but I need to reschedule our meeting. Does [time] work for you? I hate to do this but I need to reschedule our meeting. Can you please send me your availability for next week? I'm sorry, I have to cancel. Would you be available at [time]? I want to respect your time today. What are your time constraints? How did [event] go? I'm wondering what you're thinking about [topic of interest]? What are your thoughts on [topic]? What keeps you busy when you're out of work? What do you like to do outside of work? Now I'm gonna pass this to [person]. Next up is [person] who's gonna go through [something]. I'll hand it back to [person] to show us [something]. 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: 15 Minute Morning Pronunciation Practice for English Learners https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/pronunciation-practice-english/ Get fluent in English FASTER – 3 Unconventional and effective strategies https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/3-ways-to-improve-english-fast/ The method I use to teach pronunciation (Pronunciation & Productivity tips inside!) https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/my-method-to-teach-pronunciation/ Do you really need feedback to improve? The answer might surprise you https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/do-you-need-feedback/ How to stop REPEATING yourself, ORGANIZE your thoughts, and speak TO THE POINT https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-be-concise-in-english/

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: Words with -er at the end of them Words with Flap T and L (little, turtle) Connected speech Intonation 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: Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/ Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/ Digital Nomad Facebook Groups: – https://www.facebook.com/groups/DigitalNomadJobs – https://www.facebook.com/groups/remotejobsfordigitalnomads

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: Silent H in English: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/the-h/ The American T Sound: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-pronounce-american-t-sound/ T and D in English: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/t-d/

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: The OW as in GO https://hadarshemesh.com/ow-freebie/ The Flap T https://hadarshemesh.com/t-d-freebie/ The L sound https://hadarshemesh.com/american-l-freebie/ The R sound https://hadarshemesh.com/the-r-in-english-podcast-freebie/ More resources for you: Join the waitlist for my 3-month program New Sound: https://bit.ly/49SHOjQ Create sentences with ChatGPT: https://bit.ly/47p7003 Practice with YouGlish: https://youglish.com/ Get word lists from Homespeechhome https://www.home-speech-home.com/speech-therapy-word-lists.html

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: How to pronounce words with Google: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/google-ipa/ How to use Google to improve your pronunciation: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/8/ ChatGPT tutorial for English: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/288/

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: 6 signs to know if it's time to work on your pronunciation https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/time-to-work-on-your-pronunciation/ Prioritize your challenges with The Priority Chart: https://hadarshemesh.com/the-priority-chart/ Pronunciation challenge guides by language: https://hadarshemesh.com/challenges-in-different-languages/

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: Jason's song book for learners: https://fluencymc.com/ Jason's song and activity book for teachers: https://fluencymc.com/teacher-activity-book/ France Got Talent: https://youtu.be/F1zS-dsTnVw Contact Jason: https://fluencymc.com/contact-fluency-mc/ Jason's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluency_mc/

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

This is an interview you DON'T want to miss. The incredible author, speech coach and dear friend of mine, Samara Bay, is back on my channel, this time with her NEW BOOK Permission to Speak! https://www.samarabay.com/book In this interview, Samara shares what it means to be vulnerable in a language, how to regain your power and strength in your voice, and more about her book Permission to Speak, (and a special discussion about the chapter on the sounds of English). Order Permission to Speak now: https://www.samarabay.com/book Get Samara's free warm-up: https://www.samarabay.com/goodies Samara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samarabay/

In this episode, I talk with yoga and breathing coach Ori Keren. Ori has developed a way to reduce stress using yoga, breathing, movement, and mindfulness. Ori also shares in this episode how to optimize your breath so you can improve your communication skills and voice. This episode was originally published on Jun 24, 2021. To see the video version, click here: https://youtu.be/-7MF_gRyj1c Check out Ori's website: https://www.orikerenyoga.com/ Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orikerenyoga/