I teach non-native speakers of Standard American English to speak clearly and expressively.
Meet Grace Wood
Welcome to my website, the home of Prestige Accents, my ESL accent reduction coaching business. I teach non-native speakers of Standard American English to communicate clearly, expressively, and conversationally.
I use a systematic, customized approach to helping clients develop clear pronunciation while also developing their professional and social communication skills. Coaching can include presentations, pitching products or ideas, participating in meetings and interviews, and making small talk to strengthen relationships.
I developed my expertise through decades of teaching students from around the world. I created my unique approach to accent reduction by drawing on my Master’s degree in Teaching ESL and specialized training in acting, improv, animation, many fields of design, the creative process, and broadcasting.
Accent Reduction
I offer one-on-one Accent Reduction Coaching via Zoom. Once clients develop a solid foundation in the basics of my systematic approach to Accent Reduction, we can customize the context for practicing new habits. Everything begins with developing that strong foundation. From there, you can:
Develop skill, credibility and authority in delivering engaging presentations
Develop conversational skills in social and professional contexts, such as making small talk, interviewing, pitching ideas, and participating in panel discussions.
Develop a stronger yet natural sounding speaking voice
Improve grammar and vocabulary.
Discuss current events with an eye to understanding cross-cultural issues
Prepare for citizenship testing
Refine articulation and expressiveness through the use of music, poetry, and improv.
Testimonials
“I didn’t realize how impactful accent reduction sessions could be until I started learning with Grace. My only regret is that I didn’t take these classes much earlier.
I truly enjoyed learning from Grace. She is an excellent teacher, and I was genuinely impressed by the amount of effort, structure, and detail that has gone into the books and learning materials. In a short period of time, I have made significant progress, and I now feel more confident in business meetings with colleagues and customers.
While I still aspire to continue improving the way I speak and pitch, these sessions have already made a significant difference in how I communicate. I highly recommend Grace to professionals, especially those working remotely, who want to improve their communication, clarity, and confidence.”
Here’s what clients are saying
Grace helped me prepare for a difficult presentation at an important conference. She literally saved me. Grace helped me with all aspects of the presentation, from story construction, English grammar, pronunciation and of course, accent. Although I am not a native speaker, I presented a high-level presentation and received applause. Grace was my heroine, and for that, I am grateful to her.
— Oren Diga, CRM & BPM Lead, Proceed CRM, Hebrew speaker
Working with Grace has proven to be one of the best investments I've ever made in my professional development. A key aspect for any leader is clear communication, and Grace has been instrumental in this regard. She pinpointed the specific challenges I faced and then guided me in mastering the American accent, significantly enhancing my communication skills. Moreover, working with Grace was not only immensely beneficial but also thoroughly enjoyable.
— A Director from Airbnb, Korean speaker