The Pronunciation Clinic will tailor a speech and communication skills program specifically for you.

Training is targeted primarily at non-English background speakers who wish to achieve a high level of proficiency in their English pronunciation and communication in order to communicate clearly and confidently in spoken English.

All training is by private tuition as no two speakers have the same needs, the same learning style, or learn skills at the same pace.

Small group training of up to three students may be negotiated in special cases, where students share the same language background and are of a similar level.

Each program incorporates a diagnostic assessment, a standard focus on pronunciation, a specialist focus on a range of communication skills, a follow-up guide and progress reports where required.

Diagnostic Assessment

At the first session, a comprehensive assessment of your speech is conducted. This includes testing for fluency, problem sounds, stress, intonation, rhythm, and connected speech. In addition, clients involved in public speaking are assessed on their delivery, including pacing, pausing and body language. Where required assessment of students' grammatical accuracy can be included.

Comprehensive verbal feedback is then provided at the end of the diagnostic session and a written report is sent to the client (and the client's corporate sponsor, where required).

Students are welcome to attend a diagnostic assessment session before deciding to commit to a complete program.

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Each individual's training program consists of an intensive course of one-hour sessions, which systematically address the pronunciation issues identified in the diagnostic assessment.

The pronunciation areas addressed include:
               Problem sounds
               Word stress
               Connected speech or linking
               English rhythm
               English intonation
               Introduction to the phonemic chart

The program is negotiated with each individual student to incorporate an additional focus on a specialised range of desired skills, such as:
               Presentations
               Lecturing skills
               Interview skills
               Phone skills
               General speaking fluency and confidence
               Grammar repair
               Vocabulary development
               Test preparation

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Special Focus Programs

The following skills may be incorporated into an individual program to complement the primary focus on pronunciation.

Presentations skills
This module is often a priority for clients, such as managers, lecturers and university students, who need to deliver their message effectively to small teams or large groups. This training package can include work on pausing and pacing, voice projection, pitch variation (for emphasis and contrast) and effective body language.

Effective interview skills
This training is particularly relevant to students seeking employment or promotion.

Phone skills
This package caters to clients who regularly work on the phone. Unlike face-to-face contact, communication on the phone relies primarily on tone, clarity of speech and specific phone language. All these components are included in the package.

Grammar repair
This module targets specific problem areas. No matter how advanced their level of English proficiency, most students admit to some embarrassing gaps in their knowledge or use of English grammar.

Vocabulary development
Many students ask for a focus on vocabulary related to a specific professional or technical field

Specific purpose language
Often, students require specific workplace language, for example:
          the language of meetings
          the language of negotiating
          the language of debate
          the language of networking

Idiomatic language
This language, not easily found in a dictionary, but most often used by native speakers to add polish and variety to their speech, is another popular addition to individual training packages.

Speaking fluency and confidence
This training, which involves intensive speech practice sessions followed by constructive feedback and correction, may also be incorporated as part of a package.

Test Preparation
This includes special preparation and practice for tests such as the university entrance tests (IELTS, CULT, TOEFL), the test for overseas born doctors (OET), and teachers preparing for the Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT).

Listening, Reading and Writing
Modules may be provided, if required.

E-mail writing
This is one of the areas most recently in demand.

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Program Length

One hour training sessions are generally held once a week at the clinic, to enable students to practise and apply what they have learnt. Students are provided with audio-recorded exercises for practice each week. Students who have a limited time in Australia or who require a more intensive course may wish to organize more than one training session per week.

The total number of sessions required varies according to each student's level of English proficiency and intelligibility.

The minimum program consists of a 5 session module.

Most students require between 15 and 25 sessions in order to achieve significant improvement in their pronunciation and communication skills.

Tuitition fees are based on two program lengths:

Five week modules
These modules are suitable for students who wish to focus on one or two specific features of their speech and for those students who wish to review their progress on a regular basis.

Twenty week packages
These packages, charged at a reduced package rate, are suitable for clients who wish to improve clarity of pronunciation and to modify the impact of their foreign accent, as well as to focus on other skills areas.
Typically, clients who speak English as a second language will require a twenty week program.

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Follow-up

Guide for self-study
An individualised 'follow-up package' for self study is issued on completion of all twenty-week courses. This guide includes audio materials, incorporating a comprehensive record of English sounds and sample words and phrases, which provide models for future reference. The guide also includes further training exercises designed to consolidate the skills developed during the course. In addition, the guide provides written recommendations for learning strategies and suggestions for self-access pronunciation resources.

Reports
Detailed progress and final reports are provided to you and to your corporate sponsor, as required.

Confidentiality
All training is conducted in the strictest confidence. Your identity, personal details and progress are covered by the trainer's professional ethics and Code of Practice.

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Fees and further information

Program fees include all recorded exercises and printed materials.

Concessions apply to students and unemployed.

Fee structure available on request by contacting the director.

For further information and to discuss a program to suit your needs, phone or e-mail Dr Perczuk or fill in the on-line enquiry form.

Please take the time to fill in the enquiry form to assist us in gaining an initial picture of your needs. This will enable us to respond more efficiently to your specific queries.