PODCAST · education
The InFluency Podcast
by Hadar Shemesh
The InFluency podcast is your go-to resource for learning, speaking and teaching English. Hadar Shemesh is a pronunciation expert and fluency coach with thousands of students around the world, though she herself was an intermediate speaker of English once. In this podcast she will share her best strategies for learning English, speaking English with confidence and mastering the American accent. Discover how becoming fluent has everything to do with acquiring the right mindset, setting goals and learning how to overcome challenges. Hadar will also share her teaching philosophy and techniques to support English teachers looking to help their students become fluent.
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533. 20 Years Later: My Friend From Acting School Wrote the Book I Didn't Know I Needed
This conversation is a very special one for me. Danielle and I met many years ago when we were both studying acting in New York, long before either of us knew where life would take us. We were young, ambitious, certain about some things, completely lost about others, and both trying to figure out who we were going to become. And now, all these years later, I got to sit down with her and talk about her first adult novel, a story she has been carrying with her, in one form or another, for about 16 years. Danielle also shares a beautiful exercise for getting started with writing. This is a conversation about books, yes. But really, it's about friendship, identity, dreams, reinvention, and all the unexpected ways our lives unfold. Get the book "This Changes Everything" here: https://www.amazon.com/This-Changes-Everything-Danielle-McKechnie/dp/0063519399
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532. 5-minute TH Practice | Do this every day for 2 weeks!
Want a quick, effective TH practice? Do this every day for 2 weeks and I promise, you'll feel the difference! Practice words, phrases, sentences and minimal pairs.
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531. How to sound powerful in English (shadowing Jennifer Aniston)
Want to sound less monotone, more powerful and more expressive when you speak English? Then come shadow this scene! In this week's episode, we're practicing with a scene from The Morning Show, featuring Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy. We'll break it down together and play with prosody, reductions and focus on how to use your voice to sound more powerful and expressive I'll walk you through it line by line, and then we'll shadow the scene together. Close the door, press play and have some fun with your voice! Get out of your comfort zone! By the end, you might not only sound more powerful in English. You might actually FEEL more powerful, too. Download the script to follow along with me: https://bit.ly/4wKi6Zl Check out my other shadowing videos here: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t
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530. The 3 things I regret not starting sooner (this is one of them!)
How many things have you NOT done because you felt like your English wasn't ready yet? Applied for that job. Started creating content. Spoke up more. Started a business. There were three big things I postponed because I kept telling myself I wasn't ready: teaching in English, starting my YouTube channel, and starting my podcast. And looking back, I wish I hadn't waited. Because waiting didn't make me more ready, taking action did. In this episode, I'm sharing these three stories and what they taught me about confidence, fear, perfectionism, and the idea of being "ready." If there's something you've been waiting to do because of your English, I hope this episode gives you the push to start before you feel ready! ♥️
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529. Pronounce Irregular Verbs the Easy Way (Grouped by Sound)
In this episode, let's practice common irregular verbs according to sounds! When you organize irregular verbs by how they sound instead of how they're spelled, everything starts to click. And saying them out loud, in groups, in sentences is how pronunciation actually sticks. This episode is the intersection between pronunciation and grammar, and I hope you enjoy it! Want to keep going? My free Pronunciation Masterclass will show you exactly which sounds to focus on and how to use rhythm, stress, and intonation to sound clear and expressive in English 👇 https://bit.ly/4gv9Iqe Other resources mentioned: Watch the full video on how to pronounce the T before N: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/t-sound-in-kitten-button-manhattan/ Practice irregular verbs with the rap from Fluency MC: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/interview-with-jason-levine/
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528. How to get fluent when you're on your own | Gilbert's story
What does it take to become fluent in English when there is no one around you who speaks English? Meet my student, Gilbert. He's from Guinea, living in Morocco, studying engineering in French, and one of my New Sound Scholarship winners. In this conversation, Gilbert shares how he went from silent, afraid and unable to open his mouth to someone who speaks English with confidence, teaches others, and is now building a public speaking club in his own community. I hope you enjoy this interview!
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527. 3 Things Musicians Know About Pronunciation Practice That English Learners Don't
You can spend hours practicing pronunciation and still feel like you're not making progress. And sometimes, it's not because you're not practicing enough. It's because of how you're practicing. There are things musicians know about practice that most English learners have never been taught, but they still apply to language learning just the same! In this episode, I'm sharing 3 of them with you. 🎹 Get it in your body (repetition is not optional) 🐢 Go slower to go faster (yes, really) 🧠 Manage your brain when people are actually listening Want to keep going? My free Pronunciation Masterclass will teach you everything you're not getting in conventional English classes, such as rhythm, stress, intonation and more. 👉 https://bit.ly/4cJVbGf I'll see you there.
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526. How to say big numbers in English | 10-min Pronunciation Sprint
Do you find it hard to pronounce BIG NUMBERS in English? You're not alone! I'm not talking about our basic 1-100! As soon as we get to hundreds, thousands, or millions - things get a little messy. In this Sprint, we're drilling big numbers together out loud, in real sentences, so they actually stick. We'll practice: ✔️ Three-digit numbers (like 304 and 989) ✔️ Four-digit numbers the natural way (2,462 → "twenty-four sixty-two") ✔️ Numbers with zeros in tricky spots (2,052) ✔️ Five, six, and seven-digit numbers, including millions ✔️ Real sentences you'll actually use such as prices, stats, dates, and more 🔁 Want more sprints like this one? Check out this playlist! https://bit.ly/sprints-playlist 🎯 Want daily Sprints delivered inside my practice community? Join my community Beyond and get a new Sprint each day. https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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525. The "ping pong" trick that makes English small talk feel natural
Sometimes the best conversations are like a ping-pong match. 🏓 No awkward silences, no gaps, just fast flowing conversations. Today, we're taking a scene from the TV show, First Dates to practice exactly that. We'll go sentence by sentence: you listen and test your comprehension, then we'll break it down, and shadow it together, paying attention to intonation, rhythm, stress, and pronunciation the whole way through. This is a great exercise for shadowing, but also, if you wanna practice your flirty side in English ;) Watch the full clip here: https://youtu.be/2i5l33TxIpI Join my pronunciation masterclass to learn more: https://bit.ly/3SXWZop
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524. Do you need to reduce your accent? What that really means
In this episode, I'm breaking down the real difference between three things people often confuse: 1: Reducing an accent 2: Acquiring a new accent 3: Speaking with clear, predictable pronunciation. I'll share my story, why "accent reduction" is actually a myth, and what really matters, depending on your personal goals. If you want to work on your pronunciation with me, join my FREE Pronunciation Masterclass, where I teach you the elements they don't cover in conventional English studies. The ones that actually make your speech clear, expressive, and confident: https://bit.ly/4gBnjg5
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523. She could barely speak English. Now she runs her own business
Who am I? That was the question Glenda kept asking herself when she first moved from Costa Rica to the US. She was not able to communicate and felt terrified to even answer the phone or turn on her camera in a video call. In this conversation, my student Glenda shares her journey from feeling powerless and dependent on her husband for everything, to building her own dog training business, hosting conversation groups and book clubs, and now raising her daughter… all in English :) I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did ♥️ 👉 Join our Beyond community for English learners (Glenda is there too!): https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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522. Daily 10-minute pronunciation exercise (Sprint)
These Sprints are designed to set yourself up for success using daily articulation and speech exercises to make your pronunciation effortless and to be more clear in English! Do this 10-minute pronunciation practice every morning before you start your day, or before an important meeting, and you'll feel the difference. And if you want 30 daily Sprints just like this, get full access in my course, Sprint Master: https://bit.ly/419T61z
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521. Read out loud with me! Atomic Habits PART 2 – Vocabulary, pronunciation and intonation
Get ready to read Atomic Habits Chapter 2 by James Clear out loud with me! Follow along and improve your vocabulary and pronunciation with an excerpt from Atomic Habits! Personally, I love this book. It's such a great book all about building habits that last (and these tips are great for language learning too!) Check out Chapter 1 here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/464/ Get a 30-day Audible free trial using my referral code and get Atomic Habits for FREE: https://adbl.co/2ESq3ro
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520. The 5 R vowels of English
The R is one of the hardest sounds in English…but it doesn't have to be after this episode ;) In American English, there are two R sounds: the strong R (red, around, crazy) and the soft R, or R vowels. That's when the R appears AFTER a vowel (car, here, first). In this focused practice session, we're working through the 5 key R vowel sounds together. For each sound, I'll give you words and example sentences to follow along with. By the end, these tricky words like world, work, word, girl and first won't feel so scary anymore. Want to go deeper into pronunciation? Join my FREE Pronunciation Masterclass! A full hour of everything I know about sounds, prosody, intonation, rhythm, and stress, so you can stop putting so much effort into speaking English. It's completely free, and it's going to be fun. → https://bit.ly/4xZGyqv Check out these other R videos to keep practicing: https://bit.ly/4vMcltM
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519. Rediscovering your identity in English: Interview with my student, Valentina
If you've ever felt funny, smart, and expressive in your first language, but timid, or smaller the moment you switch to English, this conversation is for you! In this interview, I spoke with Valentina, a longtime student of mine, to talk about something almost every English learner feels but rarely has the words for: the gap between who you are and how you show up in English. We get into the difference between the language gap (knowing more than you can say) and the identity gap (not feeling like yourself), why your English behaves differently depending on the room you're in, and how letting go of who you "should" be is the thing that finally sets your voice free. This one is tender, honest, and full of permission. I loved every minute of it. 💛 To join our community, check it out here! Beyond Community → https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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518. 10 things I LOVE about being a non-native speaker
Today's episode is a bit different. That's because today, I am going to talk to you about the 10 reasons why I ABSOLUTELY LOVE being a non-native speaker. From having multiple personalities and voices in different languages, to the personal development journey that language learning truly is…this episode is not about pronunciation or grammar. Just the truth about what it means to speak more than one language. If you've ever felt embarrassed about your accent, guilty about making mistakes, or like you're "not enough" compared to native speakers, this episode is for you.
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517. How to Sound More Confident in English: 4 Speech Patterns to Notice
Want to sound more confident in English? In this video, I'm sharing 4 speech patterns and speaking habits that may be making you sound less confident, less clear, or less certain without you even realizing it. If English is your second language, these patterns may come from your first language or from habits you've built over time. The good news is that once you become aware of them, you can start changing them and sound more clear, natural, and confident in English. In this episode, we'll talk about: how rising intonation can make you sound uncertain why dropping your volume at the end of a sentence affects clarity how separating every word can hurt your flow why speaking too fast can make you sound less confident If you want to go deeper, save your seat to my free Pronunciation Masterclass! https://bit.ly/4hVBsa8
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516. 15-minute shadowing practice for English pronunciation | Breaking Bad
Shadowing is a great way to practice your pronunciation, prosody, grammar and so much more, but the key is knowing what to focus on. In this video, we'll practice pitch and rhythm using a scene from Breaking Bad. Download the script to follow along with: https://bit.ly/4v8pa1d Check out my other shadowing videos here: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t Join my pronunciation masterclass: https://bit.ly/3UUR9Vj
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515. American English Pronunciation: The T Sound in Kitten, Button, and Manhattan
Do you hear people say words like kitten, Manhattan, forgotten, or written in a way that sounds different from what you learned? In this video, I'll teach you how the T is really pronounced in American English when it appears before a reduced vowel (schwa) and N, like in the words kitten, button, certain, written, and forgotten. Disclosure: This sound is a nuance of American English! It's not necessary for clear pronunciation. This lesson is here to help you notice the pattern, improve your listening, and practice the details of American English pronunciation if that's something you want to work on. If you want to go deeper into pronunciation and learn how it can improve your fluency, clarity, and confidence, join my free Pronunciation Masterclass here: https://bit.ly/4wQnuKi
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514. LISTENING and SHADOWING practice with The Devil Wears Prada 2 | FAST ENGLISH
Let's get ready to test your listening skills with a fast, fun clip from The Devil Wears Prada 2! First, you'll listen to the full clip and answer a few comprehension questions. Then, we'll break it down together, fill in the missing words, then uncover the connected speech, rhythm, stress, and intonation, and finally shadow the scene line by line. This episode will help you: - Understand fast English in context - Identify reduced and connected words - Notice pitch, rhythm, and tone of voice - Shadow naturally full of expression Liked this? check out my shadowing episode with The Devil Wears Prada 1: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/482/ Want to improve your pronunciation and understand fast English with more confidence? Join my free pronunciation masterclass here: https://bit.ly/4wPgHk8
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513. 5 Great Ways to Practice English (When You're Tired of Everything Else)
Looking for new ways to practice your English? In today's episode, I'm sharing with you some of my favorite strategies that can help you improve your fluency, listening, pronunciation, and vocabulary. I've used these myself learning English (and now Spanish!) and I've shared them with my students time and time again. These strategies are simple, powerful, and will help you turn everyday English practice into something more active, consistent, and fun. Do you want to build a consistent English practice routine? Learn more about Beyond, my English practice community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N More resources for you to practice with: My shadowing YouTube playlist https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t Vocabulary practice YouTube playlist: https://bit.ly/4cZItm4 Impromptu speaking practice episode: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/510/ My membership Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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512. The #1 Strategy to Improve Your Pronunciation Fast
If you've been trying to improve your English but still don't feel clear, confident, or fully yourself when you speak, this video is for you! In this lesson, I'm sharing the number one strategy I use to help students improve their pronunciation, speak more clearly, and feel more confident in English. A lot of people think pronunciation is only important if you want to sound more polished, that pronunciation is a 'luxury' problem. But the truth is, pronunciation is a core part of fluency. It affects how clearly you communicate, how easily people understand you, and how confident you feel when you speak. In this episode, we'll talk about: Why pronunciation matters so much for fluency and confidence The difference between sounds and the music of English How pronunciation work can improve clarity, credibility, and ease My step by step method for improving pronunciation effectively How to identify what to practice first so you can get better results faster If you're ready to improve your pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, and stress, this will help you build a stronger foundation and start seeing results. Want to go deeper? Join my free Pronunciation Masterclass! https://bit.ly/4qH5RLF
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511. From afraid to speak to expressing herself fully in English | Real Student Story
In today's episode, I'm introducing you to a dear, long-time student of mine, Elisa! Elisa is Italian, and works in hospitality, but her relationship with English started long before any of that. One day, Elisa found herself stuck in a cycle: consuming English every day through music, YouTube and movies, but terrified to speak a single sentence out loud. In this interview, Elisa will share with us the exact shifts that changed everything for her: how she moved from overthinking every word to focusing on the message and what it felt like to finally become not just a more confident English speaker, but a more confident person. If you have ever told yourself, "I'm not ready yet," this one is for you! ⬇️ Resources mentioned: Free Shadowing Practice Playlist: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t Read Out Loud With Me Series: https://bit.ly/4cFoiJV New Sound Course: https://bit.ly/4cGxbmC Beyond membership: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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510. Stop overthinking, start speaking faster | Impromptu speaking
Want to speak English without freezing, overthinking, or needing a full script first? In this episode, I'll show you how to practice impromptu speaking in English so you can talk more freely, clearly, and confidently, even when you have little time to prepare. Impromptu speaking is one of the best ways to improve your fluency because it helps you close the gap between the English you know and the English you actually speak. It also helps you think faster, organize your thoughts, build vocabulary in context, and speak with more ease. Check out this website for impromptu speech topics: https://random-topic-generator-woad.vercel.app Here is a list of other prompts for you to practice with: A skill I wish I had Is social media more helpful or harmful? Are people too dependent on technology? Do we have too many choices today? Is working from home better than working in an office? The importance of discipline Should people follow passion or money? Why presentation skills matter
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509. She hit rock bottom in English, then rebuilt everything
What happens when you prepare for your dream interview for weeks… and then get to the interview and realize you can't actually say what you want out loud? That's exactly what happened to Monica. In this student interview, Monica shares the heartbreaking moment that changed everything in her English journey. After being invited to interview for her dream position, she realized that all her preparation had stayed in her head. The moment she had to speak, she froze. And that painful experience became the turning point that pushed her to finally change the way she was learning English. Since then, Monica has completely transformed the way she speaks, practices, and shows up in English. In this conversation, we talk about: How one difficult interview became her wake-up call, why passive learning wasn't enough, how daily habits helped her become consistent, the role of pronunciation and prosody in building confidence, and how English helped her reconnect with her purpose Monica's story is powerful, honest, and incredibly inspiring. If you've ever felt like English was holding you back from showing the world who you really are, this conversation is for you. I'm so honored to share Monica's story with you. She is thoughtful, brave, and deeply inspiring, and I know you're going to love her. Check out Monica's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/frenchsoundsbeautiful/ Monica discovered me through Luke's English Podcast. Watch that interview here! https://teacherluke.co.uk/2023/06/20/831-learning-how-to-learn-with-hadar-shemesh
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508. Not making progress in English? Here's what might need to change
Learn more about Beyond here: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N Feeling stuck in English and haven't seen progress, even though you've been working on your English for a while? This is probably because of 1 of 2 reasons: Reason 1: You're not practicing consistently Reason 2: You're learning in a way that is not actually effective This video is focused on how to shift your mindset, build better habits, and create a learning experience that helps you feel more confident, more free, and more like yourself in English. I'm sharing with you 5 powerful values that can completely transform the way you practice English: Action over comfort Practice builds confidence Communication over perfection Lead with care Own your growth These are the same values we use inside Beyond, our English practice community, and they can help you change not only how you learn English, but how you show up for yourself.
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507. Do you know the different ways to pronounce 'CH'?
In this pronunciation episode, we're breaking down the most common "CH" sounds you'll find in English (hint: there is more than one way to say it!) Follow along and repeat out loud in today's pronunciation practice! Did you enjoy this practice? Want more? Join my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5 * There are two other pronunciations of CH not mentioned in the episode. Yacht → the CH is silent Loch → in some dialects, it's pronounced as a /x/.
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506. Read out loud with me! Practice vocabulary, pronunciation and connected speech | The Housemaid
Improve your vocabulary, pronunciation and pace while reading a story out loud with me! We're reading a part from The Housemaid by Frida McFadden. Download the PDF to read along with me and learn the vocabulary from the episode! https://bit.ly/4sqQeb7 #readaloud #readoutloud #thehousemaid #reading Want more reading practice? Check out my read along playlist! https://bit.ly/4dcJedr
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505. Why "don't you" turns into "donchu" in spoken English: American English Pronunciation
Have you ever listened to a native English speaker and thought… wait, that sounds funny! You HEAR one thing, but you SEE something completely different when it's written. Today, I'm going to share with you a linguistic feature of English called coalescence (also known as fusion). It's one of the most common processes in spoken English. Once you understand it, a lot of things that used to sound confusing will suddenly make perfect sense, AND know this will help you understand native speakers so. much. better. To practice more, download the free practice sheet here → https://bit.ly/4sTJH8O For more information about consonants, check out my consonants masterclass → https://bit.ly/4sZkkTb
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504. How English helped her say yes to a whole new life
In this interview, I'm bringing Jelena to the stage! Jelena is one of my New Sound and Beyond students from Serbia, who now lives in the US. When she arrived, she could barely leave her apartment. She avoided grocery stores, doctor's appointments, and meetings with her supervisor. Today? She's a research fellow, teaches salsa in English, and has a thriving social life she once thought to be impossible. In this conversation, she shares: What it really felt like to be isolated and dependent on her husband's English The turning point that proved she could communicate outside a "safe environment" Why pronunciation work was the key that unlocked her confidence How mindset shifts that changed everything What she'd recommend to anyone stuck in the same loop she was in This is the kind of conversation I love having: a public catch-up with a former student who is living proof that English doesn't have to be an obstacle to the life you want. 👉 Learn more about New Sound: https://bit.ly/4uqgMuD 👉 Practice with my Sprints for free: https://bit.ly/43pCotf Jelena's story is not unique, it's what's possible. If you've ever avoided a doctor's appointment, stayed silent in a meeting, or felt like a different person in English, this one's for you. ❤️
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503. How to learn vocabulary the RIGHT way
Are you actually learning vocabulary the right way? Most English learners aren't, and it's holding them back from real fluency! In this episode, I break down the vocabulary groups every English learner has, why your passive vocabulary is secretly your biggest asset, and the #1 mistake people make when trying to memorize new words (hint: it's all about quantity vs. quality)! If you've ever felt like you know a word but can't find it when you're speaking… this episode is for you! ♥️ Download my FREE vocabulary planner: https://bit.ly/3XiF0qv Join Beyond: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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502. Fluency isn't A1-C2: The 5 speaking stages no one talks about
Take the quiz and find out your stage: https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0 Want to move up and need a boost to make it happen? Join Beyond Community? https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N For years, we've been told that fluency is measured from A1 to C2. But those levels measure grammar and comprehension. They don't measure how you show up when you speak. You can be "B2" and still avoid conversations. You can understand everything… and still feel anxious when it's your turn to talk. So what if fluency isn't about levels… but about stages of speaking confidence? In this video, I introduce a different way to think about fluency! With the 5 Speaking Stages. 1️⃣ The Avoider 2️⃣ The Anxious Speaker 3️⃣ The Brave Speaker 4️⃣ The Challenger 5️⃣ The Influencer ✨ Want to find out YOUR stage? Take the Speaking Stage Quiz here! https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0
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501. Shadowing Practice: English Pronunciation & Vocabulary | The Matrix
Get ready to practice with me! In this lesson, we're going to train our pronunciation and vocabulary by shadowing an iconic scene from The Matrix. Shadowing is one of the most effective ways to improve rhythm, stress, intonation, and connected speech. Instead of just listening, we repeat with the speaker in real time. We copy the melody, the reductions, and the flow. In this episode, we will: Break down key pronunciation challenges Practice connected speech and reductions Learn natural vocabulary from the scene Repeat together step by step And more! Download the Matrix PDF here: https://bit.ly/3MMXI8L
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500. English spelling is confusing. Here's proof (native speaker fails!)
Have you seen that trend going around on social media where native speakers share a word they mispronounced once… and it still haunts them years later? Today we're turning those viral confessions into a pronunciation lesson 🙈 You'll learn how to pronounce Hepatitis, chihuahua, paradigm, fatigue, stomachaches, Yosemite, Arkansas, Connecticut, chaos, elbow, and manslaughter. I'll explain where the primary stress goes, why some letters are silent, how American pronunciation changes certain sounds, why English spelling can be so confusing and why even native speakers get it wrong! Here's the truth: English is not a phonetic language. You cannot always guess the pronunciation from the spelling. That is exactly why mispronunciations happen. And not just to non-native speakers. If you want more lessons on pronunciation, fluency, and building confidence in English, make sure to subscribe to my FREE Accent Crash Course! https://bit.ly/3BnPC0S
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499. Read out loud with me! Practice vocabulary, pronunciation and connected speech | The Alchemist
Are you ready for another read out loud practice? In today's episode, we're reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is an excellent way to grow your vocabulary, practice your pronunciation, and improve your flow while reading. Download the book excerpt with vocabulary definitions and audio: https://bit.ly/4tzLMYQ Liked these? Check out more videos like these: Read along with Harry Potter: https://bit.ly/401eST4 Read along with Let Them: https://bit.ly/4tldKHs Read along with Atomic Habits: https://bit.ly/4qyEq4N
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498. Can you guess the primary stress? (Pronunciation Quiz)
How well do you know primary stress? In today's lesson, we're doing a quiz to test your knowledge of just how much you know. For more primary stress practice, check out these videos! How to Find the Primary Stress in Words https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/how-to-find-the-primary-stress-in-words/ Everything you need to know about WORD STRESS in English https://youtu.be/QR50k5Kz63o Keep practicing with my FREE Accent Crash Course: https://bit.ly/3BnPC0S
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497. Pronunciation Practice: Consonant Clusters
Do you say estrong instead of strong? In today's video, we're talking about consonant clusters. Consonant clusters can happen at the beginning, middle or end of words, and today, we'll practice pronouncing words, phrases and sentences without dropping any sounds! Want more pronunciation practice? Join my 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5
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496. 10 words even advanced speakers mispronounce
Today, we're stepping into the world of just how confusing English spelling can be! In this video, we're going to analyze words that even advanced speakers mispronounce. Want to keep practicing your pronunciation? Get the free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5
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495. Speaking monotone can lower your IELTS score. Here's what to do
Do you ever feel like you speak monotone in English? In this episode, Aubrey from the amazing All Ears English podcast is here to talk about how monotone speech can affect your IELTS speaking score (and the other ways it can impact you!) In this conversation, we talk about: Why sounding monotone can lower your IELTS pronunciation score What examiners actually listen for in the speaking test Why monotone speech makes people tune out in real conversations How nerves and overthinking affect your voice Why feeling "fake" when you change your intonation is normal How to practice sounding more expressive Whether you are preparing for IELTS or simply want to sound more confident and expressive in English, this episode will help you understand how to work on it! Find Aubrey and the All Ears English podcast here! https://www.allearsenglish.com/
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494. 5 Truths About Making Mistakes in English (That Will Set You Free)
Are you afraid of making mistakes when you speak English? In this episode, we're talking about something that silently blocks fluency for so many people: the fear of making mistakes. In today's episode, you'll learn 5 truths about mistakes in English that will completely change the way you speak, practice, and show up in real conversations. Because the goal is not to speak "perfectly." The goal is to speak clearly, confidently, and consistently, even when things are not 100 percent. Want more? Join us for the Start Strong Challenge! https://bit.ly/4qAqR5l Join Beyond, my English practice community https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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493. 10 everyday English expressions to level up your fluency in 2026
Today, we're learning 10 super common English expressions that will help you start the year with energy, confidence, and momentum. You might already recognize some of them, but today you'll learn what they really mean, how to say them more naturally, and how to use them in real sentences so they actually stick. Download the practice PDF (expressions + definitions + example sentences): https://bit.ly/3YMyA4n
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492. 5 things to LET GO OF in 2025 for better English
As we wrap up 2025 and step into 2026, I want to invite you to leave a few things behind with me: the need to be perfect, the fear of judgment, habits that aren't working for you, comparison, and that old story you keep telling yourself about your English. Because here's the truth: you don't need "perfect" to be powerful. You just need practice, permission, and a new story. If you want a little extra support to start 2026 feeling clearer, freer, and more confident, I've got two free ways to do it: 👉 Join the free 7-Day Confidence Challenge https://bit.ly/3UmzZMY A short daily email with a simple activity to help you build confidence in English, one step at a time. 👉 Get on the Start Strong Challenge list We're kicking off 2026 together with a free Start Strong Challenge so you can start the year with momentum and confidence. Click here to join https://bit.ly/498Lnmu Let's make 2026 a year to remember!
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491. Why speaking English makes you so tired
Do you ever feel tired after speaking English even when you can speak for hours in your first language with no problem? In this episode, I'll explain why English feels more exhausting and what you can do to feel lighter, clearer, and more effortless when you speak. You'll learn practical strategies to reduce physical tension, stop overusing your muscles when pronouncing tricky sounds, ease voice strain, and manage the mental load that comes from overthinking and self editing. These small shifts can help you conserve energy, feel more confident, and enjoy speaking without ending the day completely drained. Learn more about your voice with these videos: https://bit.ly/48Z774o Join my programs 👇 My English Mindset: https://bit.ly/47wXuYD Beyond Community: https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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490. How to Tell Powerful Stories in English (Even as a Second Language)
Do you ever feel like you are "not a storyteller" or worry that your stories are too long, too messy, or "not interesting enough" in English? Join this conversation with us! In this episode, I talk with Bree from the podcast "Into the Story" about what storytelling really is and why you do not need perfect English, fancy vocabulary, or a big dramatic life to tell powerful stories that connect. We also talk about confidence, perfectionism, and that little feeling of shame when you remember a tiny mistake you made in English hours later. If you are tired of waiting to "fix" your English before you share your story, this episode is for you. Connect with Bree: Into the Story podcast: https://intostory.com/ Bree's website: https://intostory.com/ TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking" by Chris Anderson: https://www.ted.com/read/ted-talks-the-official-ted-guide-to-public-speaking
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489. One vowel sound, 15 different spellings: The /ɑ/ as in FATHER vowel
One vowel sound, but so many spellings in English! English spelling is not phonetic, which means that just because it has one spelling, doesn't mean it always sounds the same way! In this video, we're going to talk about the 15 (!) different spellings that just ONE sound has in English. Crazy, right? For more information about this vowel, check out these episodes: How to pronounce 'water': https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/water/ /ah/ as in father (and coffee, job and office): https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/aa-as-in-father/ The 3 A's : cap-cup-cop: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/cap-cup-cop/
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488. Shadowing Practice: How Tone of Voice Changes Your Message
In this lesson we'll practice together how the same text can sound happy, sad, serious, or excited, only by changing your voice! I'll read two paragraphs in different ways so you can hear how tone, pitch, and rhythm change the meaning. Then we'll shadow together and you can practice your own intonation. Shadow with me, repeat after me, and train your voice to tell the story you want! If you want more practice with intonation, pronunciation, and real speaking skills, check out my free 14-day pronunciation plan! https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5
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487. How to stop LIMITING yourself and become your full self in English
Unlock the parts of you that stay quiet in English and finally show up as your full self. In this episode, we talk about the habits and thoughts that limit your expression and how to break them so you can speak with clarity, confidence, and freedom. You will learn how to: • Notice the beliefs that hold you back • Shift from fear to curiosity • Practice in simple daily ways that build real confidence • Express yourself with more presence and ease Want to keep practicing and building your true voice in English? Check out my practice community, Beyond. https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N
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486. Avoid these common preposition mistakes in English!
Struggling with prepositions in English? In this lesson, we'll discover the most common preposition mistakes and practice them together with clear drills so you can use them confidently in real life. Learn with me in my courses 🤝 https://bit.ly/4oBeZzC
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485. The American R sound made simple: girl, term, certain, earth
Do you struggle to pronounce words like "girl," "term," "certain," and "earth"? In today's lesson, we're going to talk about how the American English R really sounds in these words! We'll also talk about spelling patterns, and how you can identify the pronunciation easily. Download the R practice sheet here: https://bit.ly/3Alq9Eq Get my 14-day Pronunciation Plan: https://bit.ly/3YAWcJ5
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484. 5 easy ways to start thinking IN ENGLISH!
Do you want to stop translating, and start thinking in English? This episode will show you 5 steps you can do every day to build the connection in your brain in English, and make it yours. Here are the resources mentioned in the episode: Join my membership, Beyond, and get access to HadarAI! https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N Practice with daily Sprints: https://bit.ly/4qtZJ8P Practice shadowing: https://bit.ly/4fx9j4t
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The InFluency podcast is your go-to resource for learning, speaking and teaching English. Hadar Shemesh is a pronunciation expert and fluency coach with thousands of students around the world, though she herself was an intermediate speaker of English once. In this podcast she will share her best strategies for learning English, speaking English with confidence and mastering the American accent. Discover how becoming fluent has everything to do with acquiring the right mindset, setting goals and learning how to overcome challenges. Hadar will also share her teaching philosophy and techniques to support English teachers looking to help their students become fluent.
HOSTED BY
Hadar Shemesh
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