FREE
WASP free program for speech analysis
Provided by University College London. When an American speaks, their voice goes up and down in inflection/pitch. Use this resource to record yourself. Practice until you mirror the pitch/inflection of an American speaker.
ELSA Pronunciation Coach – Application of Android or Apple phones
ELSA – which stands for English Language Speech Assistant – is an APP free to download to help non-native English speakers learn the language based on their pronunciation.
Watch all their free video lessons and use all basic membership features for free.
Listen to Ted talks to hear outstanding American speakers and thinkers.
Use the top 100 speeches to listen to American speakers.
Dr. Christi Barb’s website has great resources, including StoryCorps and EnglishCentral, as she is a speech-language pathologist specializing in foreign accent modification. She frequently guest-teaches workshops at Northeastern for International students. Check the Career Development calendar for dates and times.
GLOBAL STUDENT SUCCESS
Global Student Success (GSS) provides students, faculty, and staff with high-quality English language, academic, and cultural support throughout their time at Northeastern University.
- Like: https://www.facebook.com/globalstudentnu/
- Email: [email protected]
- Call: 617-373-2455 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm)
INTERNATIONAL TUTORING CENTER (ITC)
Make a free account with your Husky email and sign up for appointments at: https://neu.mywconline.net
- ESL Tutoring – High-quality English language instruction for international students through 50-minute individual and group tutoring appointments with professional tutors. Appointments are available in person or online. Focus areas include: academic writing, listening, speaking, reading, TOEFL, and career preparation. Students can make up to three appointments per week.
- Language & Culture Workshops – Fun and exciting workshops that cover English language skills, U. S. American culture, and academic success. Workshops are hosted by international students, faculty, and staff and are offered in-person and virtually. Recorded workshops can be viewed on the GSS website anytime.
- Coding in English Sessions – The sessions are hosted by graduate students and recent alumni at the Seattle Campus who are in technical fields. Each session is open to virtual participation and is different. Topics discussed include: inside information into internships, careers, coding, and more!
- Listening & Speaking Classes – Free courses which offer opportunities for students in all programs to improve their pronunciation, listening comprehension, and speaking and presentation skills. Two sections are offered each term: a general class and a business case class.
Participate in NU Student Organizations
Northeastern has hundreds of student groups of many types. Joining an interest-focused student organization will put you in contact with American students speaking everyday American English, and provide you with opportunities to speak and interact in an informal setting.
COURSE or FEE-BASED
Voice and Articulation
Course Number: COMM 2312
Open to All NU students. Please see the catalog for exact course times/days.
Public Speaking
Course Number: COMM 1112
Open to All NU students. Please see the catalog for exact course times/days.
Services include:
- Speaker Anxiety
- Assessment and Treatment of Articulation, Language, and Fluency Disorders
- ACT NOW (Accent and Communication Training) (individual and group settings) If you have a good understanding of English grammar and vocabulary but have difficulty being easily understood because of your accent, the Speech-Language and Hearing Center at Northeastern University provides accent modification training and a variety of other services to enhance communication success.
- For further information, about cost and availability please call 617-373-2492 or contact Sarah Young-Hong, Director, Speech-Language Pathology, 617-373-3046, [email protected].
FREE BOSTON AREA RESOURCES FOR IMPROVING YOUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS
The YMCA International Learning Center
316 Huntington Avenue, Lower Level
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617.927.8244
Free English Classes in Boston and in other select communities
For Boston Residents only:
- The main library and its branches offer free English Conversation Groups and other English learning opportunities. Obtain a Boston Public Library card to utilize this opportunity.
- Auralog is a language learning software program available through the Boston Public Library online, and can be found under Electronic Resources on the web page.
American English is one of the languages listed.
Libraries in other nearby cities
- The public libraries in many cities offer free English as a Second Language (ESL) groups. IF you live in the city, you can get a public library card for free. Google the public library of the city you live in to find its locations. Many cities offer weekly ESL groups.
- On the library website, look for Library Resources, which will list other services you can access. Mango is a language learning program that you can utilize via your computer at home. It is available through the Somerville Public Library and other libraries.
LANGUAGE SCHOOL OPTIONS IN THE BOSTON AREA AVAILABLE AT ADDITIONAL COST
These language school programs are fee-based and NOT part of Northeastern University. Many of these programs are for students who have not yet passed the TOEFL, although they may also have programs for others who wish to improve their English speaking skills.
Kaplan International
Phone: 1-800-818-9128
Several locations are available
The Boston Language Institute
Phone: 617.262.3500
648 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215
Berlitz Language Center
Phone: 1-866-423-7548
437 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116-3330
EC Boston
Phone: 1.617.247.3033
1 Faneuil Hall Square
Boston, MA 02109
ASC English
Phone: 1.617.338.5288
65 Harrison Ave. 6th Floor Boston, MA 02111
*Also located at 1106 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, Tel 617-730-3705 or 617-730-3706