Writing & Speaking

Article distribution services are becoming quite popular and lucrative businesses on the internet. Thousands upon thousands of articles move around the web daily, from the writer to the services to the buyers. These buyers, generally website owners, spend thousands of dollars a year to buy the services, most of which, if not all, are posted for reading and viewing by the general public.

But those articles just don't materialize out of thin air, like the unknowing might think.

Understanding Why Your Speech Is Accented

By Elizabeth Peterson, Speech-language Pathologist

Successful accent reduction is simply a matter of improving your awareness of how you want to make sounds and practicing. Studies demonstrate that anyone can lose their accent. The intensity or origin of your accent, age or level of education is not a factor in changing your speech. All you need is the motivation to do it and the commitment to regular practice to reinforce your newly-learned skills. Anyone and everyone, including you, can eliminate their accent.

Learning How To Control Your Fast Rate of Speech

Talking too quickly is one of the most common behaviors that can discount professional speaking skills. Studies show that people who speak too quickly appear cluttered and unorganized and are not judged as competent or polished. An out-of-control rate of speech hinders the quality of your message as listeners are forced to work harder to understand. In addition, an error in pronunciation is more likely to occur because your speech articulators are tripping over one another as they attempt to produce sounds.

Additional Information Regarding Speech and Language Issues
By Elizabeth Peterson, Speech Language Pathologist

What Are the Signs of a Speech, Receptive or Expressive Language Delay?

Difficulty processing or following directions. Sometimes parents might think of this as a behavioral issue.
Children might not fully participate in the classroom since they might be uncertain of the direction or what is expected of them.
Some children might only follow simple directions and have difficulty with longer ones.
Children might point or gesture to make their needs known to someone.

Serving Up Strong Language, Speech and Academic Skills through Cooking and Kitchen Fun!

By Elizabeth Peterson, Speech-Language Pathologist

Cooking and baking is an outstanding opportunity for building your child's developmental language, thinking and academic skills through activities that are fun and enjoyable. Children love to bake.

Language Adventures while Grocery Shopping!

By Elizabeth Peterson, Speech Language Pathologist

The grocery store is common ground for busy families. Have you ever considered what a language rich environment the supermarket can be for you and your child to explore concepts together? Granted mothers with young children are busy people and the grocery store is the last place they want to be. However, consider allowing some additional time in your shopping budget.

Speaking Styles of Known Broadcasters and Politicians

Many people who pursue professional speech training ask to speak like a broadcaster since most of them model ideal career professional speech habits. Presented here are some male and female broadcasters who model good examples of intonation, appropriate speech rate and speak with precise articulation. As you are learning intonation and other speech skills, tune in to their programs to observe their speaking styles and to identify any skills you want to have.

Establishing the Foundation for Proper Breathing Skills

Setting the Tone for Your Best Voice Image

By Elizabeth Peterson, Speech-language Pathologist

There is a difference between breathing to sustain life and breathing for optimal voice usage. Breathing properly is the primary foundation for producing an ideal voice image. Without proper breathing achieving your ideal voice image will not occur. Most individuals breathe in a way that impairs their ability to produce a voice that is strong and rich in tone.

Spanish is quickly becoming America's second language. Just about everywhere you go you will find at least 10 people who are speaking fluent Spanish who didn't start out speaking it. It is a liberating feeling to know Spanish when someone doesn't speak English and you need to communicate with them. Learning Spanish is pretty easy these days with great programs like "Tell me More Spanish" and audio programs like "Rocket Spanish".

With the software you can easily practice your Spanish vocabulary and even sentence structure.

Writing about what you know - that basic advice all novice writers are given - can actually lead you into problems if you stick too closely to the truth. Particularly when it comes to poetry, a precise and concise form where every word and every sound should be carefully chosen to contribute to the overall effect.

Using personal experience as a jumping off point for what you write is often effective. But once you've decided to turn the reality into poetry, it's important to let go and shake off your personal attachment to it.