182. The Immigrant Experience | Saying goodbye & learning to belong again

182. The Immigrant Experience | Saying goodbye & learning to belong again

Author: Hadar Shemesh December 21, 2021 Duration: 7:53

Every immigrant has their own story to tell: a story about the circumstances that led them to move to another country, a story about the life they're building in that new country; The things they left behind, the things they brought with them, the things that they left behind and brought with them. And in their story, you would often find English.
One of the things I would like to focus on this year is exactly that, the place where English intersects with the immigrant experience. Many of my students are immigrants, I was an immigrant myself. There are commonalities, for sure, but each story is unique, a story worth telling and listening to. And English had – and for some of us still has – a big part in our story.

If you'd like to share your English story as an immigrant, I'd be happy to hear from you (click here – https://bit.ly/3GSp6d4). During the next months I'll share some of your stories, answer questions you might have, and host immigrants as well as people whose work involves English and the immigrant experience.

For now, you can watch these videos where I discussed the experience of being an immigrant with guests and students:


Hadar Shemesh hosts The InFluency Podcast, drawing from her own journey from an intermediate English speaker to a recognized pronunciation expert and fluency coach. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a practical, empathetic guide for anyone who feels stuck in their language learning. Hadar's conversations and solo episodes delve into the tangible strategies that actually work for acquiring an American accent, building unshakeable confidence, and moving beyond textbook English to authentic, fluid speech. You'll hear a blend of mindset shifts, technical pronunciation breakdowns, and stories from a global community of learners. The focus is always on the human side of fluency-how it connects to identity, courage, and communication. Each episode of this podcast feels like a direct coaching session, offering actionable steps that address the real frustrations and aspirations of students and teachers alike. Hadar's approach demystifies the process, making the path to speaking English with assurance feel not only possible but deeply personal. Tune in for a resource that understands the journey because the host has lived it, creating a space where progress is celebrated over perfection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 508

The InFluency Podcast
Podcast Episodes
507. Do you know the different ways to pronounce 'CH'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:43
In this pronunciation episode, we're breaking down the most common "CH" sounds you'll find in English (hint: there is more than one way to say it!) Follow along and repeat out loud in today's pronunciation practice! Did…
504. How English helped her say yes to a whole new life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:26
In this interview, I'm bringing Jelena to the stage! Jelena is one of my New Sound and Beyond students from Serbia, who now lives in the US. When she arrived, she could barely leave her apartment. She avoided grocery sto…
503. How to learn vocabulary the RIGHT way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:52
Are you actually learning vocabulary the right way? Most English learners aren't, and it's holding them back from real fluency! In this episode, I break down the vocabulary groups every English learner has, why your pass…
502. Fluency isn't A1-C2: The 5 speaking stages no one talks about [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:26
Take the quiz and find out your stage: https://bit.ly/3PbGOl0 Want to move up and need a boost to make it happen? Join Beyond Community? https://bit.ly/4nrfM5N For years, we've been told that fluency is measured from A1…