Another video--the difference between /w/ and /v/

Hi everybody!  Got another video for you;  this one explains the difference between /w/ and /v/. 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hannukah, and a generally happy, warm, safe holiday season.  Holidays are the time for family, for peace on Earth and goodwill to all men.  So mote it be!   And remember if you are thinking about New Year's Resolutions, and you think you'd like to improve your English, give me a call @ (732) 807-5424 or you can reach me via Skype @ david.berlin.esl.  I'll teach anyone anywhere in the world.  Call me today.  Okay?  All right!

Video: When the /tt/ sound is pronounced like a lightly articulated /d/ sound

Hi everyone.   Its been a while since I posted to this blog...business  has exploded!  Thanks to all my current and former students for their business.  I'm really happy to be teaching a lot of people and helping them to improve their spoken English.  Once again, if you'd like to reach me, and discuss how I can help YOU improve YOUR spoken English, call me at (732) 807-5424.  Or check out my twitter feed @ The American Idiom of the Day or my website @David Berlin's ESL and Accent Reduction Training.  I have taught other people just like you, and I can teach you and help you.   Give me a call today!

Well, I finally got a videocamera.   At first I didn't think it worked but then I realized that I just needed to replace the batteries.   WOWIE KAZOWIE!  What a difference.  I am going to be shooting a lot of video now and posting it here and on my You Tube channel, which you can find here:  David Berlin's ESL YouTube Channel.

I hope this video is helpful to some of you.  Its about when the /t/ or /tt/ sound is pronounced like a lightly artculated /d/ sound.  I believe there is also a podcast on this topic on the right hand side of this screen.  Podcasts on my blog are working again.

Remember, if you are interested in your free, no obligation phone consult or free trial lesson, give me a call @ (732) 807-5424.  You can also contact me on Skype @ david.berlin.esl or via email @ david.berlin.esl@gmail.com.

All right?  All right.   Take it easy, you guys, 'til next time...see ya!

A Cruel Summer

Well, we are having a cruel, brutal summer. The heat where I live got up to 107 degrees today with the heat index (the heat index is the heat with the humidity and wind/breeze factored in. Today the temperature was 100 degrees, but the high humidity and nonexistent breeze made it feel like 107 degrees. It was pretty terrible.)

 Now is a good time to stay indoors and enjoy a cold drink. Americans will often drink beer, but if you don't drink alcohol, lemonade is a good choice. In America, we make lemonade very simply--a cup of lemon juice, half a cup plus an eighth of a cup (which you measure by filling a quarter cup measure halfway) of white sugar, and eight cups of water--usually you just add ice and fill the pitcher to the brim.) Then stir. Refreshing, delicious lemonade.

We also make sun tea by taking a large glass jar and putting cold water in it with several teabags. Then we put the jar on a windowsill or on a deck outdoors. The sun heated through the glass brews the tea. Some people simply drink it unsweetened, but in the Deep South they put sugar in it and make Sweet Tea--a Southern staple in hot weather. Some people also like lemon juice in their tea. These are good nonalcoholic American treats for when it gets very hot like this.

Mostly we stay in our air conditioned homes and try to take it easy. If you'd like to talk sweet tea, lemonade, American food, any other point of American culture, or ESL and accent reduction (or perhaps to get your FREE phone consult and your FREE no obligation trial lesson) call me at (732) 807-5424. I'd love to hear from you.

'Til then, stay cool and hydrated.

American Small Talk: The Basics; A (Hopefully) Helpful Video

Hi everybody!  This is a new video of me explaining some of the basics of American style small talk.  The first thing I always recommend to new speakers of English is to relax.  Take a few deep breaths, loosen your shoulders, be easy.  No one will laugh at you.  Then, smile.  In America, a genuine smile invites conversation.  It invites warmth from the other person.  Then plan out in your mind what you want to say and how it should sound.

If you want to practice your English, if you need a conversation partner, if you want English or accent reduction lessons, give me a call @ (732) 807-5424.  My per hour rates are reasonable; you can view them on my website here https://sites.google.com/site/davidberlinesl/.  Just click on the "David Berlin's ESL/Accent Reduction Lessons" drop down in the sidebar and click on "My Rates".

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you with your English and your accent!

'Til next time,

Dave

New Policy w/re Payment: I no longer require monthly payments!

I am instituting a new payment policy as of late February 2012:  I no longer require payment in advance of a month.  All lessons are payable on a per lesson basis at the rate of $40/hour.  I also no longer require students to book a specific time slot.  I am very flexible in terms of lesson times.

Skype lessons are available at the rate of $15/hour for international students and distance learners.  You can reach me on Skype @ davidberlinesl.

I will continue to offer a free trial lesson and a free phone consult to all potential students.

Feel free to call me @ (732) 807-5424 to set up your free trial lesson and get your free phone consult TODAY! 

I look forward to hearing from you.  New video and podcasts coming soon.