Language Rhythm and Melody

Welcome to my educational segment on Language Rhythm and Melody!

The Structure:

Introductory Part comprises two videos. In these videos I compare language to music and briefly explain what creates rhythm and warm you up for further work.

Observation and Application Part comprises three videos and three worksheets. They are arranged in such an order that first, you'll observe more, then, you'll start applying by preparing to read expressively, lastly, you'll be ask to mimic someone.

Put-It-Into-Practice Part which currently comprises only a list of your next steps to do. This list has three bullet points.

This Educational Segment is for you if:

You are an aspiring speaker who wants to learn tips that will help you conquer fear of speaking and develop your unique style that will set you apart and stay in memories of your listeners.

You are someone who gives presentations regularly; you have developed a unique speaking style which prevents you from rising to the next level; so you want to learn tips how to break out of the routine.

You feel that you have a lot to share and contribute to the English speaking world but English is not your native language; and you think your message is not perceived as effectively as you desire because of how you speak.

Go fully in and experiment fearlessly! Practice first in the comfort of your home! Then, let's come together and have some fun in my virtual cohort! 😉

Introductory Part

Session 1

This is the first warm-up session.

In this video, I briefly explain the concept of language rhythm and melody by comparing language to music.

Then, the focus moves to discussing accents on separate words. Other words for accents are stresses and emphasis.

Session 2

This is the second warm-up session.

In this video, I show that words may lose their accents when they are in sentences. If unstressed syllables blur together too much, it may be difficult to understand the speech. This happens more with native speakers of English, especially if they speak a lot.

Non-native speakers of a English tend to accentuate all syllables more so make their speech to sound more pleasantly for an ear, they may want to try to copy native speakers noticing the nuances I am bringing up.

Observation & Application Part

Session 3

In this video, you'll watch a fragment of Marc Randolph's speech to observe his language rhythm and melody. Marc Randolph is a Co-Founder and Former CEO of Netflix. He is also an exemplary public speaker.

Click the symbol below to download your worksheet.

Session 4

To make use of this video, first, I will ask you to mark the transcript of a fragment of Filips Berzins (11 at the time) speech. I ask you to watch hims speak only after you have completed the marking.

Click the symbol below to download your worksheet.

Session 5

For this video, I decided to feature Marty Raney. Marty is a homesteader and teaches beginner homesteaders to homestead. I think that his unique speaking style has a lot to do to make him a TV star.

Click the symbol below to download your worksheet.

Homework and Put-It-Into-Practice Part

Your next steps:

Practice mimicking Marty Raney by reading from the transcript. Do it multiple times so that you drill his language rhythm, intonation, vocal pitches and even gestures until you can do it like he does without watching him.

Pick a speaker of your choice to mimic. When deciding whom to choose, think about the effect to bring to your public. (Do you want to sound more assertive, calming and comforting or funny and entertaining?)

Develop a speech to present to an audience outside of our cohort. (The doesn't need to be completed before we meet in the cohort to discuss your choices but it's good to start working on it now if you can.)