Happy New Year!  Here's a quick practice idea to work on present and past tense verbs.  Notice the ng sound at the ends of the present tense verbs (be sure to use ng, not n or ngk).  Noticed the final t and final d consonant clusters on the past tense verbs.  Try these phrases, using the recording to listen for the patterns:

This year, I plan on walking a lot.  Last year, I walked a lot.
This year,  I plan on cooking at home.  Last year, I cooked at home.
This year, I plan on working more efficiently.  Last year, I worked too much.
This year, I plan on traveling.  Last year, I traveled a little bit.
This year, I plan on exercising regularly.  Last year, I exercised a lot.
This year, I plan on talking to my family.  Last year, I talked to them often.

Now make up your own phrases with present and past tense. 
Like this exercise?  Get more generalization practice tips with our S.M.A.R.T. Video Course.

You've been practicing your American accent, working on words, patterns, and changing pronunciation.  You are able to change how you say words when you practice, but when you go to speak with colleagues, friends and strangers, you still have an accent.

Sound familiar?  Changing your speech patterns can be challenging because in order to have conversations, we have to think about what we are saying, rather than how we are pronouncing words.  Here's a practice tip to help you get those new patterns into your everyday speech.

Think of something you say on a regular basis.  For example, do you order the same coffee drink at the drive-through, or greet the same person as you arrive at work each day?  Think about the words you use.  Do any of them have your target sounds?  For example, if you usually order a vanilla latte, are you using a good intial V sound on the word vanilla?  If you typically say "good morning" to the receptionist, are you able to used a voiced "d" at the end of the word good?  Select one small target to keep in mind, and try to use it each time you are in the setting.  Soon you will find you don't have to think so hard to use your correct pronunciation pattern, because it has become a habit.  Then you are ready to add a new target or a new setting.  It may seem like an insignificant step, but small changes are the way to get real results in in your real communication interactions.

Leave your ideas and successes in the comments below.

Hearing and pronouncing the difference between can and can't is more than just having the "t" at the end.  Listen for these clues:

We reduce can when it is used with another verb.  It sounds like "ken" or "kn."  For example, we say "I ken do that, I kn see it."  We don't reduce can't, so it will have a clear vowel /æ/.

When there is not another verb (e.g., "yes, I can" or "no, I can't."), can is usually longer in duration, while can't is more abrupt.  "Yes, I caaaan."  "No, I can't."

Want more practice for can and can't?  Subscribe to our S.M.A.R.T. Video Course.

Americans use small talk to make new connections, interact with strangers, and begin interactions with friends and co-workers.  Being able to use small talk comfortably is an important skill when communicating in all types of situations with Americans.  Here are some basic considerations to help you be a more effective communicator:

Who:
Americans use small talk with anyone, regardless of social standing or circumstances.  It’s appropriate to engage in small talk with strangers, co-workers and higher-ups at work and in business.  It may seem too casual to engage in light chatting with someone to whom you want to show respect, like a boss, an executive from another company, or someone who is interviewing you for a job, but it is actually a necessary step in showing you are a confident communicator.

What:
Small talk is positive, light, restricted to certain “safe” topics, and balanced between talking about oneself and directing the topic to the other person.  Usual small talk topics include the weather, entertainment (movies, books, television), travel, food and sports.  Topics to be avoided are politics, religion, money, sex, family problems, or anything potentially controversial.

When and Where:
Use small talk when first meeting someone, or beginning an interaction with someone you already know.  Respond if someone starts a small talk conversation with you, and start a conversation yourself when waiting for something to begin, when you are introduced to someone new, or when you would like to speak with someone about something else.  Opening with small talk will put the other person at ease and allow you to make a connection in order to have the conversation you need afterwards.

Why:
Using small talk demonstrates that you have good communication skills and cultural understanding.  It enables you to make connections for more important communication.  It allows you to get to know someone and have them learn about you.  It puts others at ease and gives you a starting point for interactions.

How:
Practice and have a plan.  If you have a few comments and questions ready, you will feel more confident when it is time to engage in some small talk.  Start with “how are you?” or an equivalent (how’s it going; how have you been?).  Be ready with your answer (I’m fine; I’m doing well, thank you; things are going well, thanks). Comment on the weather, ask a question about the other person, or introduce a topic you enjoy talking about.  Have a short list of possible compliments to give the other person based on what you know about them.  Have a few comments about your surroundings or neutral topics ready.

Small talk may not be your favorite thing to do, but it should be a skill you feel comfortable with.  Knowing how to use it effectively will increase your confidence and have a positive effect on your communication in social and business interactions. 

Americans use contractions frequently in everyday speech, conversation, formal written language, and all types of communication.  Contractions aren’t slang or for informal use, they’re standard American English.  Using contractions rather than the other language forms is one way to make your speech sound more American.  But sometimes the combinations of sounds in contractions can be difficult to pronounce if you have certain accent patterns, such as consonant cluster deletion or final consonant deletion.  Practice contractions by themselves and in short phrases to get used to using them in your speech, and to pronounce them correctly.

instead of I am, he is, etc.
say I’m, you’re, he’s, she’s, we’re, they’re

instead of I would, he would, etc.
say I’d, you’d, he’d she’d we’d they’d

Instead of I have got, he has got, etc.
say I’ve got, you’ve got, he’s got, she’s got, we’ve got, they’ve got

instead of can not, do not, etc.
say can’t, don’t, won’t, shouldn’t, couldn’t, wouldn’t

instead of I have not, he has not, etc.
say I haven’t, you haven’t, he hasn’t, she hasn’t, we haven’t, they haven’t

instead of I am not, he is not, etc
say I’m not, you aren’t, he isn’t, she isn’t, we aren’t, they aren’t

instead of I will, he will, etc,
say I’ll, you’ll, he’ll, she’ll, we’ll, they’ll

Interested in hearing how these contractions sound in the standard American accent?  Try our SMART online practice.