This is an eight-hour program. Meetings held at the Whittaker Group Brookline offices.
Specifics include:

• Screening of communication strengths and challenges with a verbal report
• Two weekly, one-hour sessions, or one, two-hour session for four weeks
• Subscription to the Rules by the Sound online pronunciation platform + customized handouts or other materials recommended by the trainer
• Weekday or Saturday appointments only
• Pre-payment in full is required
• All sessions must be completed within a month from the initiation date. No make-ups for missed sessions, refunds or extensions permitted; Sessions may be rescheduled with 48-hours advanced notice

This is a 16-hour program. Meetings held at the Whittaker Group offices in Brookline, or remotely via Skype.
Specifics include:

• One-hour private assessment session, including a detailed written report of communication strengths and challenges
• Weekly, 1.5 hour training sessions for 10-weeks
• Unlimited subscription to the Rules by the Sound online pronunciation platform; Rules workbook or ebook + audio; Rules by the Sound workbook or ebook + audio; Rules on the Run worksheet; customized handouts and resources or other materials recommended by the trainer
• Daytime, weekend, or evening hours available
• All sessions must be completed within six- months from the initiation date
• No make-ups for missed appointments, refunds or extensions permitted; Sessions may be rescheduled with 48-hours advanced notice.

This is a 20-hour program. Meetings held on-site at your workplace, at the Whittaker Group offices in Brookline, or remotely via Skype.
Specifics include:

• One-hour private initial assessment session, including a detailed written report of communication strengths and challenges
• One, 1.5 hour, private weekly session for 12-weeks
• Interim written progress report summary; optional phone or in-person meeting with management upon request
• One-hour private final re-evaluation session, including a detailed written report of progress and future recommendations
• Certificate of Completion for personnel files
• Unlimited subscription to the Rules by the Sound online pronunciation platform; Rules workbook or ebook + audio; Rules by the Sound workbook or ebook + audio; Rules on the Run worksheet; customized handouts and resources or other materials deemed appropriate by the trainer
• Daytime, weekend, or evening hours available
• Unlimited access to trainer via email and phone for the duration of the engagement
• Two, follow up 30-minute Skype session at three- and six -month intervals post-training
• Preferred pricing for any future training programs
• No make-ups for missed appointments, refunds or extensions permitted; Sessions may be rescheduled with 48-hours advanced notice.

This is a one-time, two-hour program. Meetings held at the Whittaker Group offices in Brookline.

Rapid results aren't just for wrinkle creams!

Are you a busy student, executive, or business owner who doesn’t have timefor one more class or meeting during the week? Do you have a big presentation or important interview coming up? Do you want to learn how to speak clearly and confidently, and convey your message with every and conviction? Are you seeking to develop a voice that people are drawn to, and don’t shy away from? Do you need to be “heard” at meetings? Do you want a little “tweaking” to bring your non-verbal communication to the next level? Are you at a loss for words at social events and networking meetings? Come for a two-hour, private intensive session on a Saturday afternoon.

Specifics include:

• A two-hour private coaching session
• One, 1.5 hour, private weekly session for 12-weeks
• Customized handouts and resources for continued at-home practice
• Pre-payment in full is required
• Certificate of Completion for personnel files
• 10% preferred client discount if you enroll in our Essential, Comprehensive or Premium packages within 30-days
• No make-ups for missed appointments, refunds or extensions permitted

Individual and Group Programs, or Customized Workshops. Sessions designed for foreign or regional accent modification, presentation skills and public speaking, and other workplace and professional communication skills. Contact us at: wg@prospeech.com to learn more.

All healthcare professionals should speak with clarity, effectiveness, credibility, confidence and compassion. However, some nonnative English speaking medical professionals with technical expertise may be challenged by key communication rules that guide mainstream English pronunciation and communication. Are you frustrated when people don’t understand if you said, “can vs. can’t?” Does it bother you when your dictations are returned saying 15 (fifteen) mg. vs. 50 (fifty) mg.? Do you get confused looks when you say diseased, but people think you said deceased, or when you say breathing, and people think you said bleeding? Do you speak on one note so that it is difficult to convey emotion with your voice? Do you speak quickly or softly, just to “get it over with?” Are you concerned about passing your licensing exams, getting into your desired residency placement? Is your clinical practice experiencing attrition due to patient dissatisfaction?

In this eight-session, two-hour class, you will learn to:

• Produce vowels and consonants in a manner consistent with mainstream North American English
• Use natural North American English stress patterns for words, sentences, and conversation
• Increase understanding and use of idiomatic speech in medical contexts
• Improve workplace communication including dictations, rounds, conference presentations, telephone consults, patient interviews, and staff/family education
• Speak in an effficient, clear, empathetic and credible manner

Are you too self-conscious or emabarrassed about your speech to speak up and contribute to workplace meetings and discussions? Do you avoid important networking events because you are uncomfortable with small talk and social conversation? Do you pass on high-visibiity projects or client-facing events because you are afraid you will be misunderstood? Have well-deserved promotions gone to your colleagues because of your strong accent or communication challenges despite technical abilities and other leadership qualities? Communication is the number one job-related skill. Don’t let your communication differences get in the way of climbing the corproate ladder or achieving your persoanl and professional aspirations.

In this eight-session, two-hour class, you will learn to:

1. Produce vowels and consonants in a manner consistent wth mainstream North American English
2. Use natural North American English stress patterns for words, sentences, and conversation
3. Increase understanding and use of casual speech, idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms
4. Improve workplace communication including speaking on the phone, expressing ideas and opinions, negotiating, managing meetings and discussions, persuading others, and more
5. Speak in an effficient, clear, and confident manner

Jerry Seinfeld memorably quipped that most people would rather be the guy in the casket, than the one giving the eulogy. Does this describe how you feel when you are asked to give a formal presentation at work, speak up at meetings, or even talk to new people at a networking event? Learn how to effectively use your speech and body language to connect with your audience, convey your ideas convincingly, and provide effective and captivating formal and informal presentations.

Participants will receive a text, plus customized handouts for in-class and independent practice.

In this four-session, two-hour class, you will learn to:

1. Recognize and overcome anxiety about public speaking
2. Manage ineffective vocal and verbal habits
3. Speak with clarity using precise and effective language
4. Speak extemporaneously while maintaining composure
5. Handle Q and A with aplomb
6. Nail non-verbal communication
7. Network effectively - craft meaningful elevator speeches and master small talk
8. Organize content - preparation worksheets
9. Utilize effective visuals
10. Tackle telephone communication
11. Rehearse well - use tips and techniques to prepare effectively
12. Critique with rating scales and self-assessments including video feedback

In a perfect world, E-mail would be easy, fast, and clear. In the real world, we get bogged down with an overloaded inbox, our messages go unread and unanswered, and we struggle to effectively communicate in writing. In today’s competitive workplace, written documentation must positively reflect professionalism and credibility. Excellent written communication can improve a firm’s reputation with valued partners and customers, increase staff efficiency, and enhance the likelihood of garnering future referrals for business. Prior to the first class, participants are required to submit 5 sample E-mails. Participants will receive a comprehensive packet of writing guidelines to use for future reference.

In this three-session, two-hour class, you will learn how to:

1. Organize messages so they are brief, understandable, and effective
2. Use accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation
3. Compose organized E-mails using active voice
4. Recognize and edit contect and sylistic errors in your own sample documents

You never get a second chance to make a first impression! This course will help you evaluate the kind of impression your voice is making on others, understand how your voice conveys your personality and emotion, and learn techniques to improve your vocal health.

In this six session, one-hour course, you will learn how to:

1. Assess your own voice and identify strengths and areas for improvement
2. Minimize distracting and ineffective habits that are detracting from your professional impact
3. Increase vocal variety and expressiveness, and banish your monotone delivery
4. Improve voice projection through practical techniques
5. Learn easy and fun vocal warm-ups to tune-up your vocal instrument
6. Align your voice with your non-verbal communication for a consistent message

Do people look at you as though you were invisible, or do they say, “Oh, I remember you!” When you walk into a room, do you own it, or do you fade into the background and practically disappear? If you are looking for that IT factor, we can help!

In this six-session, one-hour class, you will learn how to:

1. Exude confidence with effective verbal and non-verbal communication behaviors
2. Develop and polish appropriate skills for a variety of situations
3. Fine-tune your business and electronic etiquette
4. Communicate with positive assertiveness and a “can do” demeanor
5. Receive tips on your personal stule appropriate to your industry
6. Heighten your cross cultural awareness and sensitivity

Are you repeatedly asked to say, “Pahk ya cah in the Hahvid Yahd,” to amuse your friends and acquaintances? Do you feel that inaccurate judgements are made about your education, professionalism, or social status because your speech patterns identify you with a particular geographic area? Take the Boston RULES course as seen on NBC’s Today Show!

In this eight-hour class you will learn how to:

1. Identify the common sound features unique to your regional accent
2. Listen to your own speech and identify the qualities that contribute to your perceived accent (increase self-awareness)
3. Discriminate and learn how to hear the difference between “neutral” and accented sounds in your own speech and the speech of others
4. Learn how to produce sounds in a more neutral manner at the word, phrase, sentence, and conversational level
5. Have a “wicked-good time” modifying your accent!

Many non-native English speakers are shy about communicating with other native and non-native English speakers. However, listening and talking are some of the best ways to improve your English proficiency and fluency. Guided conversations can reinforce new vocabulary, help speakers understand and use situationally relevant figurative expressions and slang, use and respond to socially appropriate humor, improve fluency, enhance pronunciation, and foster confidence. If you have limited opportunities to practice your English skills at home or at work, and are looking for a relaxed and constructively supportive atmosphere to fine-tune your communication skills, please join us! In our upcoming intensive Spring Session beginning on April 2, you will learn how to:

1. Prepare conversational topics ahead of time by exploring newspapers, magazines, TV, and the internet for topics of interest such as politics, business, movies, science, fashion, etc.
2. Learn tips and techniques for effective small talk
3. Explore and role play the nuances of starting, maintaining, and ending conversations
4. Discuss controversial topics in socially appropriate ways
5. Analyze humor and figurative expressions in various media such as advertisements
6. Learn and review vocabulary through interactive activities
7. Practice public speaking skills including pronunciation, rate, volume, and intonation

Sessions meet Saturdays, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

Register as a drop-in, or purchase packages of five meetings for $100. Contact us at wg@prospeech.com for registration information.

For most people, telephone screening and workplace interviews are nerve-wracking, high-stakes experiences. If you are shy, or uncomfortable talking about yourself in these situations, focused preparation and practice are the keys to success. Learn some practical techniques so you can “put your best foot forward,” and make the experience a resounding success.

In six, one-hour sessions, you will learn how to:

1. Identify your fears and overcome your nervousness
2. Prepare and rehearse answers to expected questions
3. Manage difficult questions with poise
4. Generate appropriate and thoughtful questions for the interviewer
5. Be an effective, active listener
6. Use effective non-verbal communication (facial expression, gestures, body language)
7. Practice your vocal tone, rate, and volume modulation to sound confident and enthusiastic
8. Explore effective word choices to express yourself in a direct, and honest manner
9. Minimize distracting vocal and verbal habits such as mumbling, rambling, trailing off when speaking, and using empty fillers and interjections
10. Review interview etiquette for telephone and in-person interviews
11. Generate and practice an effective elevator speech
12. Network effectively and manage small talk

Medical interpreters are an integral link in our increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse health care settings. Medical interpreters must interpret the patient’s questions and concerns, as well as effectively relay that information between the healthcare provider and patient. Clear pronunciation and effective intonation patterns are critical to conveying vital information accurately. Medical interpreters who are estimated to be non-native English speakers in the majority of cases, must understand and use effective non-verbal and verbal communication to ensure a positive and safe exchange of information. Effective communication enhances trust and rapport, increases patient and family satisfaction, and improves patient safety and care.

In six, two-hour sessions, you will learn how to:

1. Use specific and effective strategies to maximize communication between this challenging triad of healthcare provider, patient and interpreter
2. Use supplemental stress rules to pronounce common words in the medical setting such as acronyms, numerical terms, proper names, medical tests, instruments, and procedures
3. Self-monitor and adjust speaking rate, voice projection and other parameters to enhance communication
4. Pronounce challenging consonants and vowels in a manner consistent with mainstream North American English