Clever Girl: Cheryl Cole works with a voice coach

I read an interesting report in the Daily Mail today, saying that Cheryl Cole, who has just won a huge contract to appear on American TV is having vocal coaching.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1360171/X-Factor-USA-Cheryl-Cole-flies-LA-meet-voice-coach-role-preparation.html

I like Cheryl's voice and in particular her accent. The Geordie accent is a warm, friendly, happy accent. However, unless you are familiar with the accent and slang words, it is a challenge to understand what is being said. The same applies to any strong accent, whether it be UK Posh; Texas or even Sarah Palin.

Cheryl has made a very smart move; she is wanting to be a success in USA, so she is modifying her accent and vocabulary for the new audience/environment. Instead of saying 'biscuits' apparently she'll be saying 'cookies' and 'pants' for 'trousers'. She will also be working on her diction and vowel sounds so that her speech is much clearer for the audience.

She is making it easy for her audience to listen to her. By making her accent clear to them, and changing her vocabulary, they won't have to work so hard to listen and understand her. This is a positive, successful approach. How many times have you listened to someone speak in meetings, at conferences or on the TV where it is hard work listening and understanding their accent? Do you switch off too? I certainly do!

Cheryl is doing the right thing by modifying her speech. I wish her the best of luck!

Executive Voice also do 'Accent Calming' services for individuals and teams. Go to our website http://www.executivevoice.co.uk or call 0844 576 3015 to discuss your vocal requirements.

The occupational hazard of teaching

today I read an interesting article about a teacher that has received compensation for damaging her voice. Here is the article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328093/Teacher-lost-voice-trying-make-heard-wins-150k-payout.html

I am very aware of the challenges teachers have using their voices, since one of the areas of training I offer is for teachers. I focus on vocal health; non-verbal communication and ensuring teachers use their voices in the correct way to prevent vocal damage.

Teachers receive, on average, a 1 hour workshop on using their voices, when they are training. This could be with 200 other students. When singers and actors learn to use their voices; to project and learn to pace themselves when using their voices, they spend hours on training, and often it is one to one tuition. Yet teachers have to speak every day for 40 weeks a day; they can't whisper but must project their voices.

Unfortunately many schools being built now are acoustically unsuitable for teaching; a well trained singer or actor would find it challenging to project their voice in some of the rooms being built. Add to that the challenge that many rooms are not sound proofed: noise in adjacent rooms carries, which disturbs classes and makes it more difficult for teachers to project their voices.

Another challenge is that many children don't know HOW to listen and concentrate. They are so used to passive entertainment from the television, computer or ipod and don't understand how to engage. More children have little concept of being quiet when someone is speaking, or they will be distracted by a text message on their mobile.

I am aware that some schools are buying microphones for their teachers and in fact one microphone manufacturer claimed that results improved when teachers used microphones. I would like to see the research first but suspect that the 'magic of statistics' was able to create this result... I have a number of concerns for using microphones in a classroom environment:

• Teachers still need to know how to use their voices healthily and effectively. If they are using their voices for 5 hours a day, poor vocal technique will still lead to vocal damage, whether they are using a microphone or not.
• Unless you are properly trained to set the sound levels for using microphones in the environment where they are being used, the sound levels not be set to appropriate levels. Given the acoustic of many classrooms, the sound will still be too loud in certain areas and too soft in others. Wraparound sound is not provided with these systems.
• The sound of the teacher's voice is likely to disturb classrooms adjacent to the class. If all the classrooms have sound enhancement, the work environment is going to become very, very noisy.
• When a voice or sound is loud, pupils will speak louder to be heard when having a conversation. Surely a classroom environment should not be about shouting at each other.
• Pupils are so used to loud background noises; why should an amplified teacher be any different.
• Pupils have to learn the skill of listening and concentrating.

The problem is that teachers are not taught how to use their voices. Teachers voices and body language are their principle communication tools. Teachers need to be given training - and more than an hour at college. They also need support to develop these skills; be self aware and be able to recognise when they are having problems with their voices.

Executive Voice offer one to one and group training for teachers. We focus on good vocal usage; vocal health; prevention of damage and non-verbal communication. Call 0844 576 3015 for more information.

We also have an excellent CD 'Make an impact with your voice for teachers and trainers'. Buy here.

BBC Three Counties Radio Interview

I now have a recording of the interview I had with the wonderful Lorna Milton on Three Counties Radio. I have posted it onto the home page of the website: www.executivevoice.co.uk I have been invited back to follow the progress of Kelly Betts; I am currently coaching her and over a period of time we will be able to measure her progress. Kelly is a great client; she works hard and is picking up new skills all the time. She is an absolute pleasure to train!
I will keep you posted as to when I appear again.

Introductions

Welcome to the blog of Executive Voice - Vocal and Communications Training. This blog is dedicated to making the most of your speaking voice and body language: what a positive impact it can make in the workplace and in your general life.

I am sure you know someone who is brilliant at what they do, but doesn't present themselves in the best way possible. Throughout my life I've met people that are real stars, but fail to make the grade because they can't communicate their star quality. On the flip side, I'm sure you have also met people that you can't understand HOW they have been so successful - yet they have been brilliant at communicating.

I will be adding postings regularly, when I see, hear and experience good - and poor communication styles and trying to work out what works!

If you have any comments, do post them.

Susan