Accent Modification & Communication Skills – Packard Communications

Speak Clearly with Expert Online American Accent Training

Accent Reduction | Accent Modification | American English Pronunciation | Communication Skills Coaching

Serving Portland, Oregon and Clients Worldwide

Take the First Step Toward Clear, Confident American English Communication.

Welcome to Packard Communications

Accent Reduction & Accent Modification That Work
Darren Packard, licensed speech-language pathologist and communication coach

Why American English Communication Skills Matter

Even fluent speakers can struggle with pronunciation, speech rhythm, or voice clarity — and these challenges can lead to:

✅ Missed job opportunities

Low speaking confidence

Unfair judgments about your abilities

Being asked to repeat yourself

That’s why I offer results-driven coaching in both professional communication and everyday American English — with online accent modification and reduction training tailored to your goals.

The truth is: clear communication isn’t just about your job — it’s about your life.

Whether you’re

  • ordering coffee
  • chatting with neighbors or
  • speaking in meetings

Curious about my story? Learn more about me

“This series of classes helped me build my confidence in my career and daily conversations. It was a game changer for my communication skills. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who speaks English as a second language and is eager to improve their accent and clarity.”

Smiling student sharing review of accent modification training

Senior Software Engineer, Salesforce
San Francisco Bay Area, California | Native Language: Mandarin

Flag of China – Mandarin speaker testimonial

What You’ll Gain from Accent Coaching

Whether you’re aiming to improve professional communication, advance your leadership skills, or feel more confident in everyday conversations, here’s what clients commonly achieve through accent reduction coaching, pronunciation training, and accent training for professionals:

My American accent training programs are built to help professionals and English learners master pronunciation, fluency, and real-world communication.

This coaching is about more than pronunciation — it’s about unlocking your voice, boosting your confidence, and getting the results you deserve.

“Suppose you want to improve your professional communication skills or generally improve your presenting abilityDarren is the coach you want. I invested my time in ten one-on-one sessions, and it was the best investment I’ve made for self-improvement. Darren quickly understood my challenges and gave me clear, actionable strategies that made a measurable difference.”

Client testimonial for online American English pronunciation coaching

Production Manager, Oregon Corrections Enterprises
Portland, Oregon | Native Language: Russian Flag of Russia – Russian speaker testimonial

Get expert, personalized feedback — and start building real communication confidence today.

Common Challenges I Help Solve

Many of my clients come to me with similar concerns, including:

Man struggling to understand during online conversation, representing common challenges in American English pronunciation
  • Pronunciation, intonation, or melody differences that affect speech clarity
  • Low communication confidence in professional or social situations
  • A fast speaking rate or low speech volume that makes it difficult to be understood
  • Anxiety around public speaking, interviews, or small talk
  • Frequent use of filler words like “um,” “uh,” or “you know”
  • Mumbling, stuttering, or difficulty projecting your voice
  • Misuse of body language or trouble interpreting social cues
  • Frustration with grammar mistakes, limited vocabulary, or feeling ‘stuck’ in your communication.
  • Vocal fatigue after meetings, presentations, or long conversations

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone — and more importantly, you’re not stuck. With the right tools, targeted feedback, and expert coaching, you can reduce your accent, speak clearly, and feel confident being understood the first time.

“Thanks to Darren’s guidance, I’ve gained more confidence as a speaker and made significant strides in my accent journey. He genuinely cares about my progress and goes above and beyond to make sure I feel confident, understood, and supported.”

Speech-language pathologist with satisfied communication skills client

Manager, U.S. Client Relations, New Forests
Atlanta, Georgia | Native Language: Portuguese

Flag of Portugal

I’m a Speech-Language Pathologist — Not Just an Accent Coach

With 25+ years of experience, I bring a unique combination of clinical training, teaching, and real-world communication expertise to every session.

My training includes:

Most importantly, I believe in a kind, supportive approach. People learn best when they feel safe, respected, and encouraged. My sessions are built around those values.

Learn more about my background, training, and experience

Sounds American logo

Free American English Pronunciation Practice Video

How to Pronounce the ‘TH’ Sound /θ/ in American English

Mastering the tricky “TH” sound in words like think and thank can be challenging — even for advanced English speakers.

That’s why I created this free American English pronunciation training video, one of my most popular lessons. In just a few minutes, you’ll learn:

This video reflects how I approach accent and pronunciation training — combining speech‑language pathology methods, professional experience, and years of expertise helping non‑native speakers improve clarity.

Headphone   Written and narrated by Darren Packard, M.S., CCC-SLP

Free to watch or download — no signup required

Want more practice? Explore other free resources

What to Expect During Your Communication Skills Training

Whether you’re looking to reduce your accent, refine your American English pronunciation, or build stronger professional verbal and communication skills, every training session is customized to your individual goals.

As your dedicated online accent coach, I’ll guide you through a personalized program that includes:

PronunciationPronunciation coaching based on your native language

Blue IconFluency and intonation drills to improve rhythm, stress, and pacing

Aim IconReal-world roleplays for meetings, interviews, and social conversations

Speech iconConfidence coaching so you can speak with ease and authority

Headphone iconCustom audio practice and weekly strategies to reinforce learning

Japanese woman practicing pronunciation during an online Zoom lesson with a speech-language pathologist

Whether you’re in Portland, Oregon or anywhere else in the world, my sessions are flexible, online, and results-focused. Together, we’ll build lasting speech habits so you can speak English clearly and confidently — in the boardroom, classroom, or everyday life.

Curious how this works? Schedule a free call and get a personalized roadmap for your American English communication goals.

Online American Accent Training Options to Fit Your Goals

At Packard Communications, I offer three core services to help you speak clearly, confidently, and naturally:

Woman wearing headphones smiling during an online communication skills coaching session

Communication Assessments

Before-and-after evaluations identify your strengths and challenges before you begin training and demonstrate your progress after your classes. Each assessment includes live testing, a detailed report, and a 1:1 review.

Man in suit smiling during one-on-one online accent and communication coaching session

1:1 Accent & Communication Coaching

Work privately with me on pronunciation, fluency, intonation, grammar, communication skills coaching, and more. You choose the schedule. We focus on the skills that matter most to you.

Small group of students in an online American English accent on Zoom

Small Group Accent Classes

Join a 10-week, small-group class designed for intensive feedback, guided practice, and peer connection. Limited to 4–5 students per group.

All sessions are available online, with select in-person coaching in Portland, Oregon — so you can work with an online accent coach no matter where you live.

My Process: A Proven Path to Clear, Confident Speech

Every coaching program follows a supportive, step-by-step process — designed to help you improve your American English quickly and effectively. Whether you’re working with me from Portland, Oregon or anywhere in the world, I’ll guide you every step of the way.

Initial Assessment

We clarify your communication goals and assess your speech, pronunciation, and confidence levels.

Personalized Plan

You receive a customized roadmap based on your native language, industry, and individual needs.

Targeted Training

Through focused pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm coaching, we retrain your speech for clarity and confidence.

Real-World Application

We role-play meetings, interviews, conversations, and presentations — so you can speak naturally in the moments that matter.

Ongoing Support

You get recordings, personalized feedback, and daily practice routines to reinforce learning between sessions.

Final Review

We evaluate your progress and build a strategy for continued improvement after your program ends.

This process works — because it’s designed around you.

What Makes This Training Different

You’re not getting a one-size-fits-all curriculum or pre-recorded, generic video lessons.
You’re working with a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 25 years of experience helping professionals and English learners speak clearly, confidently, and naturally.

Here’s what sets this coaching apart:

SLP Credentials – Formally trained in phonetics, articulation, prosody, and the science of speech

Evidence-Based Methods – Backed by research and personalized to your goals and native language

National Certification – ASHA-certified (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)

State Licensure – Licensed by the Oregon Board of Examiners; committed to the highest professional standards

25+ Years of Experience – Coaching clients in tech, business, academia, and healthcare

No One-Size-Fits-All Curriculum – Every student receives a unique training plan based on their goals, industry, and communication needs

Truly Personalized Coaching – Flexible online training designed around your learning style, profession, and schedule

If you’re serious about American accent training, professional communication, or simply want to speak English clearly, this is a proven, personalized approach that delivers real results.

Darren’s coaching helped me find a new voice. I used to feel unsure about how I sounded when speaking English, but now I speak with clarity, calm, and confidence. His support was exactly what I needed at this point in my life — and I’m incredibly grateful.”

Student review after completing accent reduction program

PhD. French to English Translator, Owner, Grandchamp Translation, LLC
Portland, Oregon | Native Language: French  Flag of France

U.S. flag icon Local Expertise, Global Reach Globe icon

I’m based in Portland, Oregon, but my clients come from across the U.S. and around the world — including Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
As an experienced online accent coach, I work across time zones and cultures with a flexible, results-driven approach that adapts to your schedule and goals.
No matter where you’re located, your voice deserves to be heard.

Whether you’re in Portland or abroad, online accent coaching can help you speak English clearly and confidently.

What’s Included in Every Coaching Program

Every coaching plan is fully customized — and includes the tools, structure, and expert training you need to succeed:

Live 1-on-1 coaching Work directly with a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist — no junior instructors or pre-recorded sessions.

Personalized improvement roadmap Built around your goals, background, and communication needs.

Pronunciation & intonation training Master American English vowels, consonants, rhythm, stress, and melody through guided practice.

Specialized coaching Role-play real-world situations: meetings, interviews, presentations, and social conversations.

HD class recordings Rewatch every session anytime for long-term retention.

Homework & practice materials Weekly assignments and resources to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Real-time feedback Receive live corrections, audio exercises, and coaching in every session.

Progress tracking Checkpoints, quizzes, and assessments built into your program.

Certificate of Completion Recognize your achievement at the end of the course.

Whether you’re preparing for interviews, improving workplace communication, or simply want to feel more at ease speaking English, we’ll focus on the skills that matter most to you — and build lasting communication confidence.

Darren Packard, licensed speech-language pathologist and communication coach

❤️ Why I Do This Work ❤️

❝ For over 25 years, I’ve helped professionals, bilingual speakers, and non-native English speakers find their voice, build confidence, and speak in a way that earns trust and respect.❞

❝ I’ve coached engineers, healthcare providers, professors, and entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries — both online and in-person in Portland, Oregon.❞

❝I love teaching. I have a deep respect for different cultures. And I’m genuinely moved when students tell me how our work together changed their lives.❞

I want to help everyone improve, even if you’re not a student. Explore my Resources and Blog to keep learning on your own.

“Darren is very specific in his instruction, concise, and incredibly effective. In every session, we understood exactly how to produce each sound. By the end of the class, I had tools I could use in daily life — and so did everyone else. Whether you’re a busy professional or a recent immigrant, Darren has got you covered.”

Happy client giving feedback on communication coaching

Software Engineer, Meta
Seattle, Washington | Native Language: Russian Flag of Russia

Want to hear more success stories? Visit my reviews

Want more strategies and insights? Read our latest blog posts on pronunciation and communication skills.

📅 Book Your Free Accent Reduction Consultation

Ready to speak English clearly, sound more natural, and communicate with confidence?

Start with a free consultation — designed for professionals and English learners who want to improve their pronunciation and speaking skills in American English.

What’s Included:

  • Personalized accent and communication feedback
  • A customized roadmap based on your goals, background, and industry
  • A live Q&A to answer your specific questions

 Whether you’re in Portland, Oregon or joining from across the globe, my online coaching and pronunciation training, accent reduction, and accent modification coaching is flexible, accessible, and designed to deliver results.

Most clients notice meaningful improvement after just one session.

If you’re preparing for a big presentation, stepping into a leadership role, or just tired of repeating yourself at work — or at Starbucks… Wherever you’re starting, I’ll help you move forward with expert strategies, personalized support, and real, measurable results.