Do people keep telling you that they can't understand what you say and ask you to repeat?

Do people say that they can't hear you and tell you to speak up?  

If you receive these questions often, then you are most likely a mumbler! You try to speak more loudly, and you repeat when people ask you, but you may be feeling that your speech just doesn't seem to get any better. What are you doing wrong, you wonder?

This is the first article in a series of three that will help you overcome mumbling and learn how to articulate and speak clearly so that everyone can hear you and understand you.

Tip number is to open your mouth!
When Americans speak, one thing that non-native English speakers notice is that we open our mouths and move our lips a lot.  This is part of our language, but is not a part of many other languages.  Other languages, such as Indian languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, etc), Spanish, Russian, just to name a few,  do not require you to open your mouth much. The sounds in these languages are all inside the mouth, which means that the teeth can be close together and the lips do not need to move very much. 

If you keep your teeth too close together when you speak English, it may sound to others like you are slurring your words together, not pronouncing words clearly and not speaking loudly enough.  You should never speak with your teeth completely together because it is very difficult to speak American English clearly this way.

Here is an exercise to practice to help you get used to opening your mouth more when you speak.
Stand in front of the mirror and look at your mouth while you talk about something you did during your day. Speak for about 30 seconds. This is enough time to be able to see what your teeth are doing when you talk. Ask your self this question:  Did you keep your teeth close together, so that there were was little or no space between your upper and lower teeth?  Most likely the answer is yes.

Repeat this exercise, but this time when you speak, make sure you can see a space between your upper and lower teeth. If you can fit the tip of your index finger between your teeth while you are speaking, then you are opening your mouth, at least a little bit.

Once you feel comfortable with a little space between your teeth, now it's time for the second part of this exercise.  Practicing saying a couple of vowels that require you to open your mouth wide. Start by saying what I call the "open vowels". Here are a couple: "ay" as in the word "able" and "ae" as in the word "apple."  Your teeth need to be open enough so that you can see inside your mouth.  Practice saying these vowels at least five times each.  Now trying saying these words:  "May", "day", "aim", "after", "action."  Think of some other words that have the "ay" and "ae" sounds in them, and stand in front of a mirror while you say them to make sure you are opening your mouth wide.  The last part of this exercise is to try saying some of those words in short sentences. For example:  Yesterday I ate an apple.

Now try saying what I call "circle" vowels, such as "aw" as in the word "off" and "oh" as in the word "open." When you say the "aw" sound, keep your lips in an oval shape and your mouth open.  When you say "oh", start with your lips in an oval shape and then end with your lips in a tight circle, as when you see "oo. Your lips move when you say this sound. Think of some words with both of these sounds and practice saying them in front of a mirror.  Keep your eyes on your mouth to make sure you're making the correct shapes and opening up your mouth widely enough.  Next, say a few of the words you thought of in sentences.  For example:  I am off work tomorrow.

Now try reading aloud. Remember to keep your teeth at least open enough so that your index finger can fit between them, in general.  When you say "ay" and "ae", your mouth should be open wide.  When you say "aw" and "oh", your lips should be in an oval and circle.  

Once you feel comfortable with opening your mouth, you will be ready for tip number two!  

If you are interested in taking private classes to improve your spoken English, please contact Cheryl Posey at speakingyourbest@gmail.com or visit our website at www.speakingyourbest.com to take a look at the courses we offer.   You can quickly learn how to be a success by speaking your best!

I guess I better start studying! Lol. I’ve heard some of these, but here’s the list of new vocabulary!

Bae – This is used to describe someone/something which is dear to you. Example: “Bae and I are going on a boat cruise tomorrow.”

On Fleek – This word means “perfection”. It is usually used to describe something that looks on point. It was originated when a vine user uploaded a video of her saying her eyebrows were on fleek. Example: “Your shoes are on fleek.”

Yas – This word doesn’t have a particular spelling – it varies. It is used when “yes” isn’t just enough to show your excitement. It was originated from a video of a fan screaming “yass” enthusiastically when Lady Gaga looked good. Example: “YASSSSS, that show was live”.
Shade – This means to slightly insult someone in a polite way. Saying something disrespectful in a sweet way. Example: “You don’t just throw shade at people”.

Turnt – This is mostly used when describing a party, usually to hype the party. A synonym is ‘live’. Example: “Yassss, this party is turnt/live! “

Slay – This is mostly used when it comes to ladies fashion – not exclusively – to describe someone looking dapper. To say someone killed it. Example: “You look beautiful, Slay queen”.
Zero chill – This term is opposite of ‘chill’ – it means having no form of calm. When someone doesn’t care anymore so they hit hard on the issue at hand. Example: “When it comes to food, you have zero chill.”
​
Stay woke – This is a term that acts as a reminder to people to be aware of controversies and things going on in the society that are most times overlooked. Example: “Don’t be deceived by information from the media. Stay woke.”

Sub – This means to talk about someone without indicating their name or tagging them. It’s mostly when the first party disses the second party without indicating who they’re talking about. Example: “Stop throwing subs at me coward, mention me if you can.”
Or nah – This means “or not”. It was originated from The Weeknd song featuring TY Dolla Sign. In the song, he asked questions and ended them with “or nah”. Example: “Are you going to the club or nah?”

TBT – Am sure you probably know this one. It is short for ‘Throwback Thursday’. Usually comes after a hashtag. It is used when you want to post something from a long time ago e.g. 2010 
😉
FBF – Now this one you might not know. It is short for ‘Flashback Friday’ – almost the same meaning as ‘Throwback Thursday.’

MCM – This is short for ‘Man-crush Monday’. This is used when you want to post a picture of someone that is your crush for one reason or the other. Obviously, usually on Mondays.
WCW – This means ‘Woman-crush Wednesday’ – the same thing as “Man-crush Monday’ but mostly posted on Wednesday and for a woman!

FR – This is short for “For real.” A synonym is “Are you serious?”. Used to confirm something you just heard. It is mostly rhetorical. Example: someone tells a guy his sister is pregnant and he goes “Are you for real?” or “fr?”
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AF – This is used to lay emphasis on something, to show how deep it is or to make your point stronger. Example “I’m tired as fuck.”
There. You now have 16 of some of the slangs people use online. To fit in well, just learn these words, use them and you’re good to go.

Talk about confusing! Which is which, and how do we know when we should use "all together" versus "altogether?"
Don't feel badly if you are having difficulty determining how to use the words "all together" and "altogether" correctly. Most of us do! The word "altogether" is one word, where "all together" is a compound word containing two words. While that doesn't mean anything in spoken English, it does matter in writing. These words sound exactly the same, but have different meanings. Most people don't realize this. As a result, they are misused in speaking and in writing.
Like most things in the English language, there is a great deal of memorizing when it comes to mastering many areas. The areas that lend themselves to confusion include pronunciation, grammar and words that sound the same, just to name a few. This is one of the reasons that many people who learn English as a second language find it so difficult to master. Just so you know, native American English speakers also have difficulty with grammar and word usage!
Let's take a look at each one and the correct way to use them. First, we will talk about the word "altogether."
Altogether 
The word "altogether" is considered an adverb and can have a few definitions. Probably the most common definition is "completely" or "entirely." 
For example: 
"Let's forget about that idea altogether." 
"My manager thinks this idea is altogether ridiculous." 
"We will have an altogether wonderful time."
The word "altogether" can also mean "with everything included." 
For example: 
"The bill for our dinner came to fifty dollars altogether." 
"Altogether, our hotel room cost "$100."
In another example, the adverb "altogether" can occur at the beginning of a sentence to mean "with everything considered." 
For example: 
"Altogether, I think this project will be very valuable."
So you can see from the usages above, the word "altogether" can be used in a few different situations with slightly different meanings.
Now let's take a look at the words "all together."
All together 
The word "all together" is a compound word because it is made up of two words that go together. This word means "all in a group" or "everyone together."
For example: 
"We went to dad's birthday party all together."
Here is another example: 
"Are we going all together in my car?"
Now that you are completely confused, will you forget about these two words altogether or will you give a shot and memorize them?

Contact Speaking Your Best today and let us help you become a success by speaking your best!

A reminder that one word in the English language that can be a noun, verb, adjective, adverb and preposition.     "UP"
This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP.' It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].   
It's easy to understand   UP , meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake   UP ?   
At a meeting, why does a topic come   UP ? Why do we speak  UP , and why are the officers   UP   for election and why is it   UP   to the secretary to write   UP   a report? We call  UP   our friends, brighten  UP   a room, polish UP  the silver, warm   UP   the leftovers and clean  UP   the kitchen. We lock   UP   the house and fix  UP   the old car.   
At other times, this little word has real special meaning.  People stir   UP   trouble, line  UP   for tickets, work  UP   an appetite, and think  UP  excuses.   
To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed  UP  is special   
And this  UP   is confusing: A drain must be opened   UP   because it is stopped  UP.
We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!   
To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of  UP , look   UP   the word   UP   in the dictionary.  In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes  UP   almost 1/4 of the page and can add   UP  to about thirty definitions.   
If you are  UP   to it, you might try building   UP  a list of the many ways  UP   is used. It will take   UP   a lot of your time, but if you don't give   UP , you may wind  UP   with a hundred or more.   
When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding  UP . When the sun comes out, we say it is clearing   UP . When it rains, the earth soaks it  UP . When it does not rain for awhile, things dry  UP . 
One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it   UP , for now . . . my time is   UP !   

We have all heard the term “millennial” and know that it is the term typically used to describe individuals born between the early 1980’s and mid 1990’s.  Individuals born during this time often have some unique styles of speaking. 
 
Do you speak like a millennial?  Here are a few ways to tell:
 
You might sound like a millennial if:

• You speak with a gradually rising pitch, both when pausing and when ending sentences.  This makes it sound like you are asking questions, rather than speaking in sentences. It’s, “I go to work every day” and NOT “I go to work every day?”
• You use the word “like” often when you speak.  It’s like you might use it, like, all the time, so it sounds like it might be, like, your favorite word!
• You speak very quickly. Young adults seem to want to get everything they want to say out as quickly as possible.  We usually associate a very fast pace with someone who is young and inexperienced.  Most seasoned professionals speak more slowly and are viewed as more experienced, confident and convincing. If you want people to take you seriously, speak more slowly.
• You use the word “dude” for everyone, even in a professional setting.  This is a "no-no" in the professional business world because it is too informal and sounds unprofessional.  So, dude, don’t use that word at work, especially with leadership.
• You say, “I know, right?” too often.  Yes, millennials are famous for saying this when someone says something that they agree with.  For example, if someone says, “You’re a great worker”, the millennial might say, “I know, right?” to agree with you. 

 
So, dude, speak more slowly to sound experienced and, like, end your sentences with a downward pitch so people don’t think you are asking questions or pausing all the time.  At work, be as professional as possible, and you will quickly be viewed as a person who takes their work seriously. I know, right?

Do you want to improve your spoken English?  Many non-native speakers of English complain that Americans can't understand their speech, and they don't know what to do about it. Here are two simple tips that will help you speak clearly instantly!

Rule 1: Open your mouth and move your lips when you speak.  
Many languages don't require speakers to open their mouths and move their lips much at all. When they go to speak English, they naturally keep their teeth close together and their lips fairly flat. Does this sound familiar? 

When you speak American English, opening your mouth and moving your lips is a must.  If you watch any good public speaker, then you'll know what I mean.  Pay attention to opening your mouth more when you say vowels. Creating a little more space in your mouth goes a long way in improving speech clarity.  

Rule 2:  Reduce your speaking rate
Many languages are spoken more quickly than American English.  Chances are, your native language is one of them. Combine a fast speaking rate with an accent, and you have someone who Americans most likely have a hard time understanding.  

Speaking more slowly doesn't mean speaking TOO slowly.  It means slowing down enough so that you have time to form all of the sounds and syllables in words.  People who naturally speak quickly often omit run their words together, so a sound or part of a word may be missing. Speaking more slowly can also mean that you pause more often when you speak, and always pause at the end of a sentence.

The nextt time you speak, keep these two tips in mind.  They will help you reduce your accent and speak more clearly!