FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
*please contact me for course pricing Initial Assessment/ Speech Analysis Every accent reduction course begins with an in-depth speech assessment conducted using either Skype or Adobe Connect, which takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. During your evaluation, you will complete several speaking tasks, which will be used to pinpoint specific areas of weakness. This is also the time for you to indicate what your goals and objectives are throughout your customized course. Hourly Langauge Instruction: Our hourly classes are held once a week for one hour, either on Skype or Adobe Connect. You choose the day and time that is most convenient for you. Scheduling is flexible! Our hourly courses are customized and designed to focus on our clients specific needs. Classes may address but are not limited to workplace communication, presentations, speeches, business English and Accent Reduction. Other ares your course may include: Understanding the basics of American English vowel and consonant sounds and the phonetic symbols used to represent sounds Pronouncing American English consonants, vowels, diphthongs and consonant blends Establishing and using an appropriate speaking rate Making your voice heard comfortably Learn Word stress and intonation and linking so that you speak smoothly How to reduce filler words (such as "um" and "you know") important speaking techniques to help you speak concisely and effectively Practice stories to help you incorporate all of your speaking skills together In order to design and customize your course USAC requires that all students partake in a 90 minute initial evaluation before the start of your course.? The Basic Course: This gives clients the knowledge to understand the basics of accent reduction and their main areas of difficulty. It places great emphasis on the production of vowels, their sounds and some voiced and voiceless consonants. The Standard Course: Includes all elements of the basic package but is more intense and geared toward making a faster change in a more intense manner. Clients will work with their coach to learn contrastive vowel articulation exercises, diphthongs and consonants especially those that are problematic to their native language. The premium Course: Focuses on everything the basic and standard course entails but also works on improving syllable stress and advanced intonation patterns and dialoguing so that their speech is more clear and aligned with other native speakers. This course is tailored to not only meet the pronunciation needs of the student but also improve their confidence by teaching them nuances of American business and social culture. Videos and other advanced software and recording are used as a to ide help the learner improve and practice in the most advanced way possible
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Every accent reduction course begins with an in-depth speech assessment conducted using either Skype or Adobe Connect, which takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. During your evaluation, you will complete several speaking tasks, which will be used to pinpoint specific areas of weakness. This is also the time for you to indicate what your goals and objectives are throughout your customized course.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from George Washington University • Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from John Hopkins University • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate from Georgetown University Jessica specializes in coaching clients in need of accent reduction, business consulting and cultural immersion. My main objective is to teach my clients to speak with more clarity and ease in business and social situations, and become more comfortable and confident with American society. My client list consists of individuals, small to mid-size businesses and government agencies including T-mobile, the Food and Drug Administration and the Social Security Administration. She has also worked with companies such as Communication Workers of America, General Computer Enterprises and Kwikpoint.