Workshop Testimonials

Boston RULES Regional Accent Modification Class at Boston Casting-Media Performance Institute

Here's what students are saying about the Boston Accent Modification Course at Boston Casting:

I learned...

1. The weak aspects of my speech
2. How to pronounce words more clearly
3. What regional slang words are
4. To be more aware of my speech
5. How to pronounce my R's
6. How hard it is to lose this accent!

Bo Cushing, actor, Laurie Lydon, business

What did you like best about the training?

"The exercises in the (Boston RULES) book"
" ...very good class/excellent instructor"
" ...the class wasn't too serious.. it was fun!"

“My name is X. L., and I am a Senior Scientist at Varian Semiconductor Equipment Corporation. I am from China and had a strong Chinese accent which made it difficult for me to communicate well. I also had trouble with stress and pronunciation of many sounds.

I learned a lot of things from this class and achieved significant progress in:

1. Correcting many of my accent problems
2. Making excellent progress with pronunciation (vowels and consonants)
3. Learning many useful tips like speaking slowly and loudly
4. Feeling more confident when talking
5. Being more understandable to my audience during meetings and presentations

I think this class is very helpful especially for a foreigner with a strong accent.

I would strongly recommend this course. The teacher (Marjorie Whittaker) is very nice and professional.

The course materials including the RULES program were very good and suited for self-study even after completing the class. I also liked the flexible course schedule (time and location)."

X.L., R &D Senior Scientist from China

Boston RULES Regional Accent Modification Class at Boston Casting-Media Performance Institute – Nov-Dec. 2010

"It was great! Lots of fun, informative, helpful... a confidence builder"

(It was) "friendly, non-judgemental"

"I am a stereotypical Boston Irish Catholic.. that was brought up talking very fast, with everyone around me talking the same way. This class has slowed me down, and (taught me) not to rush and to finish the words. I've realized the words just sound better when the r's are used!"

"Great class! Excellent instructors"

Effective Communication Skills for the Non-Native English Speaker, Quinsigamond Community College – April 2010

Participants’ Comments:

“Well-organized, well-presented, well-paced.”

“Great packet-good variety of materials.”

“Very good research based approach.”

How do you plan to use what you learned today in your classroom or work setting?

· Very well done! I’m going to use more “adult” readings to practice target sounds and pronunciation.

· Will incorporate selections into present and new classes.

· Helped me see how to use authentic materials for practice.

· She did a great job – very good info, nice pace and variety. I really am lacking in background in this area and this was very helpful.

· I’ll use the handouts with intonation – they’re excellent.

· Using some exercises and assessment tools for my classrooms.

· I plan to incorporate the activities and exercises into my daily planning – expanding what I already do for pronunciation and effective communication skills.

· Will use compound words for travel next week. Will incorporate many activities covered – many were new. Liked all the specific examples of “rules”. Easy to understand.

· Once I fully digest all the material… I hope to incorporate all the information into my classroom. This was an excellent workshop!

· I will create and use more activities in relation to pronunciation and it’s relation to intonation.

· I will incorporate what I learned in teaching. The material is very helpful and accessible. Thank you!

· Will construct some new activities for the ESL classes. Thank you. Good workshop.