Welcome to Speekie!
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What kind of speaker do you want to be? Accurate? Clear? Confident? Engaging? If the answer is "YES!" to any of these questions, pronunciation training may be the next step in your personal and professional development. Working with native and non-native speakers of English to speak clearly and confidently in natural, spontaneous speech is one of my greatest passions. Whether you are a non-native speaker who's frustrated by communication break-downs or a native English speaker who wants to improve their communication skills, I'd love to get to know you and your needs. Thanks for stopping by, and I look forward to hearing from you!
About Me
My name is Jeanine Kosinski (ja-neen ka-zin-ski) and I am an experienced linguist with a passion for pronunciation! Since beginning my career in language teaching, I have worked with students and professionals from around the world, including international scholars, business executives, diplomats, and engineers, helping them elevate their English language skills, intercultural communication, confidence.
I hold a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with a specialization in Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) from Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and a bachelor’s degree in Language Studies (Linguistics) with a concentration in French from University of California, Santa Cruz.
It's my belief that clear, confident communication is essential to thrive, and is achievable to anyone with quality instruction and consistant practice. I'm excited to meet you and join you as your guide in your pronunciation journey!
Why Speekie?
I use a simple and effective learning model focusing on four key areas: curiosity, clarity, accuracy, and confidence. Being curious, allows us to fully explore and embrace the American English sound system without self-judgment or apprehension. Together, through guided exploration of the mouth and other speech organs, we develop clarity on how to produce each sound individually, in combination, and in spontaneous speech. With clarity and targeted practice comes accuracy which builds confidence as your communication improves.
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I am committed to making language accessible to everyone using the Universal Design of Instruction. In a nutshell, I consider all possible needs when designing language coaching programs--there is no one-size-fits-all. If you have specific needs that aren't addressed here, or have questions or concerns, please reach out.
Services
Accent Modification
1:1 pronunciation coaching including assessment, instructional sessions, pronunciation materials, and a continuous improvement plan. $75/hr in packages of 6, 8, 10, and 12 sessions.
Business English
Industry-specific content for interviewing, giving/receiving feedback, note-taking/meeting prep, speech/email-writing, vocabulary improvement, etc.
Pronunciation Workshops
Group pronunciation workshops (3 or more learners) focusing on one particular sound or collection of sounds. $60 for 2 hours
Intercultural Training
1:1 sessions or group in preparation for working abroad, moving to the U.S., or working effectively in diverse teams.
Corporate DEIB
You have a diverse team, but the members aren't using their full potential. Intercultural teams can be some of the most effective, and we can help your team leverage it's diversity.
Conversation Groups
Coming Soon!
Please note, anyone is welcome to request any communication help no matter what their abilities are. Native speakers, English language learners, those with disabilities or speech impediments, anyone who wants to improve their English is welcome. If you don't see what you need here please reach out!
Let's Connect!
Please contact me to book your 30 minute assessment conversation. The Assessment can be done alone, or credited to a package of 8, 10, or 12 sessions. Don't see what you need or have a question not addressed here? Send me a note, and I'll be happy to see if I can meet your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see what you need here? Contact me!
What is Pronunciation Training?
Pronunciation training is the process of training your speech organs to produce the sounds of a particular language clearly and accurately. Think of it as weight training for your mouth /other speech organs. Pronunciation training consists of focusing on difficult or "target" sounds, as well as patterns of stress, rhythm, and intonation. Working with a pronunciation coach is different from an ESL teacher in that you have an advanced command of English. You know what you want to say, but people struggle to understand you due to the way you speak.
Why invest in a pronunciation coach?
The most common reason my clients want to improve their pronunciation is to be more easily understood by other speakers of English generally, in a professional environment. If you have ever been frustrated by repeating yourself, or getting that "look" that means your listeners are trying (and failing) to pretend they understand your English, you get it! Some learners want to elevate their English for professional development, others see it as the next step in their personal or academic language learning journey. Whether your goals are academic, professional, or social, targeted accent training will help you reach your pronunciation goals.
What are your rates?
Most sessions are 60 minutes long, and cost $75/hr with an 6 session minimum. Workshops are $60 for 2hrs for three or more people.
Where are sessions held?
To best serve a wide variety of clients all over the world and give the most scheduling flexibility possible, sessions are held online over Google Meet, barring special needs or select corporate events. Please send me a message for further information.
What is an American Accent?
There are many dialects and accents in the US. New England, Pacific Northwest, Midwestern, California, East Coast Dialects (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York), Hawaiian/Pidgin, New Orleans/Cajun, North Carolina, Appalachian, and so many more! Check out this video for a tour of some of the different American Englishes:
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You may be wondering, what is "Standard American English (SAE)". The truth is, there is so standard, most linguists agree on this, but many people think of a "standard" as having no accent at all. This is completely untrue. "SAE" is an accent, too! You most likely hear this version of English on TV, in the news/media, etc. Here's an example.