What we’re about
Portland Oregon Accent Modification Accent Reduction American English Pronunciation Speaking Speech Speech-Language Pathology Speech Sounds Communication Skills Classes
Welcome to Accent Modification and Accent Reduction in Portland Oregon!
Our Group
Welcome to our group! Accent Modification Portland is a social and educational group started in 2011 by Darren J. Packard M.S., CCC/SLP nationally certified speech-language pathologist specializing in accent modification and communication training.
Group Topics
American English pronunciation, American English melody (also know as intonation), speech rate, speech volume, and non-verbal language to improve your ability to speak American English in conversations, when interviewing, giving presentations, or participating in meetings. Anything that will improve how you communicate!
Our Group Members
Group members are persons from throughout the world who speak English as a non-native language. Members are usually professionals or students who have adequate use of the English language (reading, writing, and understanding) but would like to improve how they speak and communicate using American English. We are a fun and welcoming group that likes to have a good time while learning how to speak more effectively and with confidence!
Our Events
We have events every month. Most of our events are free (although I do ask for donations to support the group) or at a minimal cost. One of our most popular events is a monthly seminar. In this event, we socialize before participating in a 1.5-hour-long training in areas such as American English pronunciation (vowel and consonant sounds), rules for conversational pronunciation, speech rate, speech volume, non-verbal language - anything that improves how you speak! The content of the free seminars is exactly the same that is provided in the accent modification training courses I provide for companies, classes, individual students, and universities – only it is free for group members!
Group Leader
I'm Darren J. Packard, MS, CCC/SLP a speech-language pathologist who specializes in accent modification and communication training. I'm an active member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and an Oregon licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. I have over 20,000 hours and 18 years of experience training people in accent modification and communication skills. I've been on faculty as an adjunct lecturer at Portland State University, am currently an adjunct faculty for Portland Community College, and have taught classes for Pacific University. Feel free to view my work and educational history and experience on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenpackard/
Packard Communications Private Training Courses
Through my company Packard Communications I provide comprehensive communication evaluations (including your pronunciation and melody), "Small, Intensive Accent Modification Classes," 1:1 accent modification training, and online training throughout the world. To find out more please visit my website: https://packardcommunications.com/
Facebook and Twitter
I frequently post information about new classes and resources that are extremely helpful to non-native English speakers who would like to improve their communication skills. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more information: https://www.facebook.com/PackardCommunications/ https://twitter.com/PackardCommun
Free American English Professional Communication Skills Meetup Group
I also have a Meetup.com group dedicated to improving the professional communication skills of non-native English speakers. We have free monthly training sessions focused on improving your ability to give presentations, participate in meetings, interview, use business idioms. and have 1:1 work conversations. For more information or to join this group go to https://www.meetup.com/Communication-Skills-for-Non-Native-English-Professionals/
YouTube American English Pronunciation Video Channel "Sounds American"
In addition to all the above (whew!) I also have a Youtube channel, where you can find excellent videos with detailed instructions and visuals to learn to better "hear" and pronounce most of the sounds in American English. The channel is called "Sounds American" and I write and record the videos. Check them out! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-MSYk9R94F3TMuKAnQ7dDg
Contact Me
Have questions? Please feel free, I'm always happy to help!
Darren J. Packard, M.S., CCC/SLP. Packard Communications. 503-201-3008. darren@packardcommunications.com www.packardcommunications.com 1815 SW Marlow Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97225
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https://packardcommunications.com/about/
https://packardcommunications.com/services/
https://packardcommunications.com/communication-assessment/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-classes/
https://packardcommunications.com/individual-communication-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/online-american-english-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#yoututbe
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Upcoming events (3)
See all- American English Accent Online Pronunciation Class Portland Oregon Nasal SoundsLink visible for attendees
To attend this event, you'll need to register through Zoom 24 hours before the start of this class. Use the below link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkc-yupj0jG90OJ0E2vqjqFGQSd2qwjh29
After doing so, I'll receive your Zoom request. After I approve it, you will receive a confirmation Zoom notification that you're registered.
Welcome to our monthly online accent modification class! This event is a great way to learn how to communicate more effectively and efficiently speaking American English.
In this class, we'll continue to learn to better "hear" and pronounce the consonant sounds of American English by learning several consonant sounds that are difficult to pronounce for many non-native American English speakers. These are the "nasal sounds" - /m/, /n/, and "ng". They may look easy to make, but they can be really difficult, especially the "ng" sound. Plus, these sounds can easily distort the vowels surrounding them.
We'll discuss how these sounds can be represented in spelled words, what you need to do to make the sounds (what to do with the airflow for each sound, where the sound is made, and how to "vibrate" each sound) and we'll practice these sounds in words and some sentences.
I'll provide as much 1:1 training as I can during the class. I'll also provide you with practice materials you can use at home and teach you the best way to practice to improve on your own.
Thanks and hope to see you soon!
*Suggested donation to attend this event is $10 or more. Donations are appreciated, to cover the cost of Zoom, supplies, meetup fees, and my time to prepare and lead the event. ALL FEES GO DIRECTLY TO THE SUPPORT OF THIS GROUP. Please send donations via:
Venmo: @Darren-Packard
PayPal: darren@packardcommunications.com
Zelle: darrenpackard@hotmail.com*Since these events are very popular, please do not RSVP unless you can attend
*This event is for non-native English speakers
*You can always join the event up to 15 minutes early - I'll be there!Darren J. Packard M.S., CCC/SLP
Owner and Director
Packard Communications
Phone: 503.201.3008
E-mail: darren@packardcommunications.com
Website: http://www.packardcommunications.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenpackard/Accent Modification Accent Reduction Speaking English Speech Skills Learning American English Online Training Classes Coaching Intonation Vowels Consonants Communication Spelling Presentation Skills Interviewing Conversation Speech-Language Pathologist SLP Portland Oregon Hillsboro Beaverton
https://packardcommunications.com/about/
https://packardcommunications.com/services/
https://packardcommunications.com/communication-assessment/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-classes/
https://packardcommunications.com/individual-communication-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/online-american-english-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#yoututbe
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#meetup
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#pcc
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/#intel
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/#boeing - American English Accent Online Class Portland Oregon Intonation in WordsLink visible for attendees
To attend this event, you'll need to register through Zoom 24 hours before the start of this class. Use the below link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtdu2hrT4iGd1XHJ8hKDGtJ797RynLIqPu
After doing so, I'll receive your Zoom request. After I approve it, you will receive a confirmation Zoom notification that you're registered.
Welcome to our monthly online accent modification class! This event is a great way to learn how to communicate more effectively and efficiently speaking American English.
In this class, we're beginning a new chapter! This is our first class where we explore the use of intonation (also known as melody) in American English. We'll learn how to use melody in words when speaking English - especially how to stress the correct syllable and use the right pitch. I'll train you on the different types of melody patterns. You'll also learn how you can determine the melody pattern in any word and how to use the correct pattern when pronouncing any word.
I'll provide as much 1:1 training as I can during the class. I'll also provide you with practice materials you can use at home and teach you the best way to practice to improve on your own.
Thanks and hope to see you soon!
*Suggested donation to attend this event is $10 or more. Donations are appreciated, to cover the cost of Zoom, supplies, meetup fees, and my time to prepare and lead the event. ALL FEES GO DIRECTLY TO THE SUPPORT OF THIS GROUP. Please send donations via:
Venmo: @Darren-Packard
PayPal: darren@packardcommunications.com
Zelle: darrenpackard@hotmail.com*Since these events are very popular, please do not RSVP unless you can attend
*This event is for non-native English speakers
*You can always join the event up to 15 minutes early - I'll be there!Darren J. Packard M.S., CCC/SLP
Owner and Director
Packard Communications
Phone: 503.201.3008
E-mail: darren@packardcommunications.com
Website: http://www.packardcommunications.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenpackard/Accent Modification Accent Reduction Speaking English Speech Skills Learning American English Online Training Classes Coaching Intonation Vowels Consonants Communication Spelling Presentation Skills Interviewing Conversation Speech-Language Pathologist SLP Portland Oregon Hillsboro Beaverton
https://packardcommunications.com/about/
https://packardcommunications.com/services/
https://packardcommunications.com/communication-assessment/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-classes/
https://packardcommunications.com/individual-communication-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/online-american-english-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#yoututbe
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#meetup
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#pcc
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/#intel
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/#boeing - Online American English Accent Class Melody in Sentences Portland OregonLink visible for attendees
To attend this event, you'll need to register through Zoom 24 hours before the start of this class. Use the below link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApf-qhqDgiHNUTC-P68bUeadAiG6TaHNI6
After doing so, I'll receive your Zoom request. After I approve it, you will receive a confirmation Zoom notification that you're registered.
Welcome to our monthly online accent modification class! This event is a great way to learn how to communicate more effectively and efficiently speaking American English.
This is a "must attend" class for anyone who would like to improve their American English communication skills, as almost every non-native English speaker has difficulty with what we'll learn today and it's a part of everything that you say when you speak English.
You'll begin to learn how to use the correct melody (also called intonation) when speaking American English, specifically when making statements. This is important because there are distinct rules for which words you stress and how you use your pitch (or tone) when you speak American English; if you don't follow these rules you may sound uncertain or rude. We'll learn how to avoid this by learning to use the rules for word stress and pitch used in sentences when you speak.
After learning the rules we'll talk about common differences with stress and pitch that you hear in various accents. I'll listen to you and provide you with feedback on what you are doing with your intonation when speaking and how you can improve, and we'll practice using what you learned in statements.
I'll provide as much 1:1 training as I can during the class. I'll also provide you with practice materials you can use at home and teach you the best way to practice to improve on your own.
Thanks and hope to see you soon!
*Suggested donation to attend this event is $10 or more. Donations are appreciated, to cover the cost of Zoom, supplies, meetup fees, and my time to prepare and lead the event. ALL FEES GO DIRECTLY TO THE SUPPORT OF THIS GROUP. Please send donations via:
Venmo: @Darren-Packard
PayPal: darren@packardcommunications.com
Zelle: darrenpackard@hotmail.com*Since these events are very popular, please do not RSVP unless you can attend
*This event is for non-native English speakers
*You can always join the event up to 15 minutes early - I'll be there!Darren J. Packard M.S., CCC/SLP
Owner and Director
Packard Communications
Phone: 503.201.3008
E-mail: darren@packardcommunications.com
Website: http://www.packardcommunications.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenpackard/Accent Modification Accent Reduction Speaking English Speech Skills Learning American English Online Training Classes Coaching Intonation Vowels Consonants Communication Spelling Presentation Skills Interviewing Conversation Speech-Language Pathologist SLP Portland Oregon Hillsboro Beaverton
https://packardcommunications.com/about/
https://packardcommunications.com/services/
https://packardcommunications.com/communication-assessment/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-classes/
https://packardcommunications.com/individual-communication-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/online-american-english-training/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#yoututbe
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#meetup
https://packardcommunications.com/accent-modification-reduction-resources/#pcc
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/#intel
https://packardcommunications.com/corporate/#boeing