Asa on Larry King Live (Part 1)

This is a great interview of Larry King by ‘guest host’ and YouTube sensation Asa the comic. If you watch part 2 as well there is a very deep story about an interview Larry did with a paralyzed police officer many years back – powerful story. Larry is truly the king of interviews. Excellent voice […]

Accept, except, access, excess, etc.

This is a common speaking mistake.  When English words have a double c (cc), we sometimes pronounce the first c as hard, like a K, and the second c soft, like an S.  For example: “Accept” is pronounced AKSEPT, not ASSEPT. “Access” is pronounced AKSESS, not ASSESS.  That’s a different word with a different meaning, […]

“I’ve been here for 14 years – but I still can’t speak English well!”

(Original post from 2011)  This is what I heard today over the phone from a potential client.  She does not have a thick accent but she does has one.  She sounds fairly confident and certainly intelligent.  She has a couple of degrees and valid work experience.  So what’s the problem, right? She sometimes feels shy […]

“Squish” the middle vowel in some 3-syllable words

Take a look at these 3-syllable words: Business Chocolate Corporate If we read them as if English was a syllabic language, like Japanese for example, then we would read/pronounce them “bus-i-ness”, “choc-o-late” and “cor-por-ate”, right? But that is not the way we say it, at least here in North America. The way the word is […]

Transfer Worker from China gets Speaking Award

Hello everyone, I would like to share an email I received today from Grace, one of my private coaching clients here in Toronto.  (I have her permission to share this.)  Before I do I just want to give you a little background on her.  She has been transferred here from Shanghai, China, and works for […]

Random Canadian English

Hi folks, I originally compiled this list of Canadian English for a workshop I did recently for an organization that helps new immigrants settle and learn job skills, but I also think this list is great for people that visit Canada for business or pleasure. I know there are words and phrases that I’ve missed, […]

21 Accents

This is entertaining. Good job Amy. I don’t agree with your Toronto accent – too fast – but thanks for the laughs!

I Believe in the Power of You and I…or Me?

Can’t fool you and me: Grammarian says lyrics to ‘I Believe’ anthem flawed By Bruce Cheadle, The Canadian Press Feb 23, 9:00 am EST WHISTLER, B.C. – It has become as emblematic and familiar to TV viewers of the 2010 Winter Games as Alexandre Bilodeau, underperforming Canadian medal hopefuls and venue weather woes. But that […]