Tips & Articles

How a Prompter Can Help You Retain Your New Accent...

Read Aloud to Improve Speaking Ability...

10 Top Ways to Love Your Voice...

How a Prompter Can Help You Retain Your New Accent

Speech Therapist Kirstie Holmes says, "When you have learned a new sound in your accent training, or been given a strategy to improve the clarity of your speech, it can be a little overwhelming trying to use it all the time...it takes lots of getting used to!

"What I suggest, is that you find a ‘prompter,' or something that will remind you, every now and then, to use your new strategy or accent. You could wear a different ring on your finger, put a small sticker on your phone (this is a great one if you tend to use your phone for work), have a little symbol or picture inside your wallet or purse (a great reminder for when you are buying something in a shop, as we all tend to talk with the shopkeeper, checkout assistant etc.).

"These simple little reminders prompt you to use your new skills, so that you don't always have to be thinking about it. The more you can use them however, the better you will sound."

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Read Aloud to Improve Speaking Ability

Speech Language Therapist, Alison Owen says, "When you read aloud, you are able to listen to your own pronunciation. This gives you the opportunity to practice using your fluent and smooth speech. So, take time each day to practise reading out loud.

A good idea is to borrow Sound Books from the library and listen to the story being read in English. Practise "shadow reading" a paragraph (i.e. reading it while listening), so that you can practise fluent English.

Reading aloud will greatly improve your speaking ability."

Helpful Links:

Manukau City Libraries Sound Book: http://search.manukau-libraries.govt.nz/?q=sound%20books&refx=&uilang=en

Auckland City Libraries: http://search.aucklandcitylibraries.com/?q=sound%20books

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10 Top Ways to Love Your Voice

If you take care of voice it will last as long as you do.

1. Embrace hydration. Moisture is good for your voice, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the best way to stay hydrated.
2. Kiss but don't yell. Yelling or screaming is always bad for the voice, as it puts a lot of stress on the delicate lining of your vocal cords.
3. Hug a microphone When you are called upon for public speaking, particularly in a large room or outdoors, use a microphone. The amplification allows you to speak at conversational volume, yet reach the entire audience.
4. Warm up your voice by saying a few sweet nothings. Warming up the voice is not just for singers; it helps the speaking voice, too. Doing simple things like lip or tongue trills, or gliding up and down your range on different vowels will help warm up your voice.
5. Always clear the air, but don‘t clear your throat. Clearing your throat is like slapping or slamming the vocal cords together. Instead of clearing your throat, take a small sip of water or swallow to quench the urge.
6. Go ahead and look hot, but never smoke. Likely the single worst thing you can do for your voice is to smoke. It causes permanent damage to the vocal cord tissues and is the number 1 risk factor for cancer of the larynx (voice box).
7. Know what you‘re feeling. When you are in a place with loud background noise, you don‘t realize how loudly you may be talking. Pay attention to how your throat feels in these situations, because it will often feel raw or irritated before you notice the vocal strain you are causing.
8. Think good breath support, not just heavy breathing.  Breath flow is the power source for voice. Don‘t let your breath support run down before refilling your lungs and refuelling your voice.
9. Be a good listener. If you hear your voice becoming hoarse when you are sick, be sure to rest it as much as possible. Pushing the voice when you have laryngitis can lead to more serious vocal problems.
10. Check it out.  If your voice is persistently hoarse, be sure to seek evaluation by an otolaryngologist.

Love Your Voice! A Top 10 List, presented by AAO-HNS ENT doctors.

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