The Accent Journey Podcast
Education & Explainer
About
Do you have an accent when you speak English and aren't happy with it? Then the Accent Journey Podcast is for you! Every week, host and American English accent coach Steven Nelson discuss topics to help non-native speakers improve their communication skills and sound more natural when expressing themselves in English. Join our community and see the transformation within yourself. Brought to you by accentfirst.com.
Episodes
- The Flap T: Why “Water” Sounds Like “Wader”
This episode of The Accent Journey explores the flap T in American English, a common pronunciation feature where /t/ between vowels sounds like a soft /d/. It provides guided practice for sounds, words, sentences, and dialogues to help lea…
- The /t/ Sound: Why You Don’t Always Hear It (Held T)
This episode of The Accent Journey explores the held /t/ sound in American English, explaining that /t/ is often unreleased before consonant sounds. It details how to produce this stop without release, common learner errors, and provides p…
- “Sheep” vs “Ship” – Small Sound, Big Difference
This episode of The Accent Journey focuses on the American English vowel contrast between /i/ (sheep) and /ɪ/ (ship). It explains the length and tension differences, and provides practice exercises to improve pronunciation and listening co…
- Cat... or Cut? Let's Learn the Difference between /æ/ and /ʌ/ !
This episode of The Accent Journey focuses on the crucial American English vowel contrast between /æ/ (as in "cat") and /ʌ/ (as in "cut"). It provides guidance on physical production, common mistakes, and includes practice with minimal pai…
- Linking Part 2: Same Consonants – Say It Once, Not Twice
This episode of The Accent Journey focuses on linking identical consonant sounds at the end of one word and the beginning of the next in English. It explains that these sounds should be pronounced once, not twice, for natural speech, and i…
- Linking Part 1: Consonant to Vowel – The Key to Smooth Speech
This episode of The Accent Journey introduces consonant to vowel linking, a key technique for natural spoken English. It explains why words connect, how this linking works, and offers practice to improve speech fluency.
- "Accent Doesn't Just Go Away by Itself" - Interview with Storm Chaser and Accent Student Dominik
In this episode of The Accent Journey Podcast, host Steven Nelson interviews Dominik, a Slovakian native, storm chaser, and accent modification student. Dominik shares his experiences documenting dangerous weather and discusses his accent…
- Word Stress: How Emphasis Changes Meaning and Focus in English
This episode of The Accent Journey explains the importance of word stress in American English for clear communication. It covers the difference between content and function words, how stress shapes meaning, and includes practice exercises…
- "With Practice, My Confidence Grew" - an Interview with Programmer and Accent Student Robert
In this episode, programmer Robert shares his four-year journey in accent training, emphasizing its importance for non-native speakers. He discusses techniques he used to modify his accent and offers advice, followed by a reading and speci…
- Syllable Stress: The Emphasis That Changes Everything
This episode of The Accent Journey focuses on syllable stress in American English, explaining its crucial role in clear pronunciation and word recognition. It covers stress patterns, how stress changes meaning, and includes practice exerci…
- "I Can Blend in Easily Now" - Why YouTuber Stefano Castiello Wants to Change His Accent in English, and How It Helps Him
In this episode of The Accent Journey Podcast, YouTuber Stef Castiello shares his experiences as an Italian content creator, explaining his decision to modify his English accent and how it has benefited his work. He also offers tips for ot…
- “–ED Endings: Why ‘Worked,’ ‘Lived,’ and ‘Wanted’ Sound Different”
Accent coach Steven Nelson explains the three distinct pronunciations of -ed endings in English past tense verbs. The episode includes practice words, sentences, and a reading passage.
- "I'm Not Getting Those Barriers Anymore" - An Interview with Accent Student Sam Rowan
Sam Rowan, an online salesperson and personal trainer from India, shares his experience with accent modification training and its benefits. Host Steven Nelson provides feedback on refining his accent for American English speakers.
- Voiced and Voiceless Sounds: The Secret Behind Clear Endings
Accent coach Steven Nelson explains voiced and voiceless sounds and their impact on accents. The episode delves into the secret behind clear final -s sounds, differentiating between words like 'cats' and 'news'. A practice passage is provi…
- What the "Schwa" is... and Why It Matters!
Host Steven Nelson explains the 'schwa' sound in American English and its significance for natural speech. The episode includes practice with example words and sentences, featuring a passage for listeners to read.