Effective Communication for Non-Native English Speakers
Monday, March 9, 2026 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM · 4 hr. (America/Chicago)
Short Course Office - Room 211
Short Course
Professional Development
Information
This interactive half-day course will help English as a second language (ESL) speakers communicate better with enhanced clarity and purpose and neutralize pronunciation while delivering messages to the most critical audiences. It will also help co-workers understand better how to break down communication challenges effectively with ESL professionals. This course will help reduce complaints and communication barriers and improve the bottom line.
Some of America’s scientists, researchers, and doctors are not native-born, and many more immigrants are taking on roles as executives, managers and highly skilled technical professionals. However, many foreign-born professionals struggle to overcome cultural and communication barriers that hinder their goal achievement. That is one reason we see relatively few non-native professionals in top management roles. Often, conflicts arise because of missed cultural and linguistic cues. How do we change that?
A seasoned accent reduction coach, former VOA broadcaster, and television producer, Dottie Li (a non-native English speaker herself) will guide you through this eye-opening training to improve your communication.
Some of America’s scientists, researchers, and doctors are not native-born, and many more immigrants are taking on roles as executives, managers and highly skilled technical professionals. However, many foreign-born professionals struggle to overcome cultural and communication barriers that hinder their goal achievement. That is one reason we see relatively few non-native professionals in top management roles. Often, conflicts arise because of missed cultural and linguistic cues. How do we change that?
A seasoned accent reduction coach, former VOA broadcaster, and television producer, Dottie Li (a non-native English speaker herself) will guide you through this eye-opening training to improve your communication.
Day of Week
Monday
Session Number
SC-7312
Application
Professional & Career Development
Methodology
Education/Teaching
Primary Focus
Application
Morning or Afternoon
Afternoon
Short Course Information
Course Level
Intermediate
Duration
Half Day Course
Learning Objective
This workshop will help native and non-native English speakers:
•Effectively communicate with enhanced clarity and purpose
•Reduce complaints and communication the bottom line
•Neutralize regional and foreign accents while developing clear methods of delivering messages to the most important audiences
•Better understand the communication challenges effectively when working together.
Course Outline
1. Introduction and overview
•What are the benefits of this workshop?
•Communication barriers
•Specific methods and steps to improve communication
•Perception of an accent that people don’t understand
•Obstacles in being promoted and recognized
2.Acculturation
•What is acculturation & where are you in the process be acculturated?
3.Neutralizing, Modifying and Reducing Accent
•What is accent?
•3 components of accent
•How is accent reduction taught?
•What can neutralization & modification do for me?
4.Understanding Speech Production
•Common mistakes by accented non-native English speakers
•Studying American phonemes
•How to use stress, intonation & rhythm correctly to be better understood
5.Challenging Sounds for Non-Native English Speakers
•Unexploded sounds nati use that non-native English speakers are not aware
6.Grammar
•Typical grammatical mistakes non-native English speakers make
Target Audience
Scientists, researchers, reviewers, technicians, STEM professionals, and anyone whose second language is English, as well as those who wish to have more clarity and powerful communication. It will benefit scientists from college graduates to professionals in the STEM field.
Early Fee (before Jan 29, 2026)
$450.00
Full Fee (after Jan 29, 2026)
$550.00
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