Accent Modification & Communication Skills – Packard Communications
Speak Clearly with Expert American Accent Training
Accent Reduction | Accent Modification | American English Pronunciation | Communication Skills Coaching
Learn more about my background, methods, and results — all shaped by my work as a licensed online accent coach and speech-language pathologist.
Take the First Step Toward Clear, Confident
American English Communication.
Hi, I’m Darren Packard, M.S., CCC-SLP
- I’m a licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist based in Portland, Oregon.
- I specialize in American English pronunciation, accent modification, communication coaching, and American accent training.
- Whether you're looking for an online accent coach or an English pronunciation specialist, I’ll help you reach your communication goals.
- I’ve worked with thousands of students from around the world—each with their own unique voice, to help them gain the clarity and confidence they need to succeed in both personal and professional settings.
- Whether you’re preparing for a job interview, navigating workplace communication, or simply tired of being asked to repeat yourself, I offer personalized coaching to help you speak English clearly and confidently.
🎧 Hear More About My Background and Expertise
In this quick 10‑minute podcast about my experience as a Portland‑based, ASHA‑certified speech‑language pathologist, you’ll hear about my qualifications in American accent training and communication skills coaching, and how I help non‑native English speakers improve clarity, confidence, and pronunciation.
🎙️ Play Podcast: Darren Packard – American English Communication Expertise
Want the full overview of all my services? Return to the Homepage
Education & Advanced Training
My academic foundation includes four years of rigorous graduate study in Speech-Language Pathology at Portland State University.
This training emphasized advanced speech methods, American English pronunciation, and executive communication coaching, with coursework in:
- Anatomy, physiology, and neuroanatomy of speech
- Phonetics, articulation, and pronunciation
- Speech fluency, breath support, volume, and rate
- Assessment and treatment of communication differences across diverse populations
- Evidence-based methods for creating lasting change
In addition to my master’s degree, I’ve pursued extensive post-graduate training in accent modification:
- LDS & Associates — Completed in-person Level 1 and Level 2 accent reduction training
- Institute of Language and Phonology — Certified P-ESL Instructor (ILP 101 & 102)
Clinical Training
Over the years, I’ve worked in a wide variety of clinical and academic settings, gaining hands-on experience with diverse patient populations and communication needs.
This experience helped me apply the knowledge I learned in graduate school, sharpening my ability to identify clients’ needs and adapt to different personalities and communication styles.
This foundation deepened my expertise in American English pronunciation, accent modification, and communication coaching for non-native speakers.
Portland State University Speech and Hearing Clinic
Portland Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA)
Oregon Health & Science University Hospital (OHSU)
Northwest Clinic for Voice and Swallowing (OHSU)
Legacy Emanuel Hospital Outpatient Speech-Language Pathology Clinic
Take the First Step Toward Clear, Confident Communication.
“Before working with Darren, I often felt anxious speaking English in meetings and had trouble being understood. He helped me slow down, enunciate clearly, and become more aware of my rhythm and tone. I don’t mumble anymore, and I’ve received compliments from coworkers who now understand me better. The transformation has been huge.”
Customer Service Manager, Atlas Packaging & Displays, Inc
Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Native Language: Turkish
🌎 Who I Work With
I specialize in helping non-native English speakers from all backgrounds improve their American English pronunciation and fluency. I’ve coached students with a wide range of backgrounds, first languages, and accents. I’ve worked with clients whose first languages include:
Asian Languages
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
- Hindi
- Bengali
- Japanese
- Korean
- Vietnamese
- Telugu
- Marathi
- Tamil
- Urdu
- Javanese
- Turkish
- Filipino (Tagalog)
- Thai
- Gujarati
- Burmese
- Punjabi
- Malayalam
- Kannada
European Languages
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- French
- German
- Italian
- Polish
- Ukrainian
- Romanian
- Dutch
- Greek
- Hungarian
- Czech
- Swedish
- Serbian
- Norwegian
- Danish
Middle Eastern & Central Asian Languages
- Arabic
- Farsi (Persian)
- Kurdish
- Pashto
- Hebrew
- Armenian
- Georgian
- Azerbaijani
African Languages
- Swahili
- Hausa
- Yoruba
- Amharic
- Igbo
- Berber
- Wolof
- Tigrinya
- Shona
Other Languages
- Malay
- Indonesian
- Somali
- Nepali
- Sinhala
- Khmer
- Lao
- Mongolian
- Tibetan
No matter what your first language or accent, I’ll build a personalized coaching plan to help you speak English clearly, confidently, and naturally.
Want details on training options? Explore our classes
Certifications & Licensure
CCC-SLP: Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Oregon State Licensure: Licensed in Oregon by the State Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology
Take the First Step Toward Clear, Confident Communication.
“I’m finishing my 10th class now and the improvement is very noticeable. Darren is an excellent teacher and I truly appreciate his work. On top of pronunciation/accent, you will also improve melody, volume, confidence, and pace. Excellent ROI for my investment of time and money. I highly recommend Packard Communications.”
Channel Reseller and SLED Account Executive, Intel Corporation
Hillsboro, Oregon | Native Language: 
Want results like Angela’s? Read my latest blog posts
🛡️ Ethics You Can Trust
As a licensed clinician and ASHA-certified Speech-Language Pathologist, I follow the highest ethical standards in the field of speech-language pathology.
✅ Evidence-based practice
✅ Client-centered care
✅ Cultural competence
✅ Confidentiality and professionalism
You can learn more about these standards by reviewing the ASHA Code of Ethics.
Local Expertise, Global Reach
Local Expertise, Global Reach 
🌍 Based in Portland, Serving Clients Worldwide
I live and work in Portland, Oregon, and proudly offer both in-person and online accent coaching.
As a communication coach serving Oregon and beyond, I tailor my coaching style to each client’s region, profession, and goals. Whether you’re looking for:
- Accent reduction classes in Portland
- A speech coach in Oregon
- Pronunciation training for work or social situations
- Expert support anywhere in the U.S. or abroad
…I’m here to help.
Many of my clients are based in the Pacific Northwest, while others join me from across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America. As an online accent coach, I work across time zones — bringing flexibility, consistency, and a global perspective to every session.
I understand the nuances of local communication expectations — and bring that insight to every session. I’ve worked with professionals at Microsoft, Intel, Amazon, Facebook, Nvidia, Google, and other industry leaders.
Whether you’re in Portland or abroad, online accent coaching can help you speak English clearly and confidently.
Take the First Step Toward Clear, Confident Communication.
❤️ Why I Love This Work ❤️
For over 25 years, I’ve helped professionals and English learners find their voice and speak with clarity, confidence, and authenticity. There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing someone say, “People listen to me now — really listen.”
Free American English Pronunciation Practice Video
How to Pronounce the /z/ Sound in American English
Struggling with the /z/ sound in words like zoo, busy, or music? You’re not alone—it’s one of the most common pronunciation difficulties for non-native speakers.
That’s why I created this free American English pronunciation training video, designed to help you master this sound step by step. In just a few minutes, you’ll learn:
- Exactly how to position your tongue and airflow to create the correct /z/ sound
- How to tell the difference between /s/ and /z/ in everyday words
- Common spelling patterns for the /z/ sound in American English
- Guided pronunciation practice with real-life vocabulary
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.
Written and narrated by Darren Packard, M.S., CCC-SLP
✅ Free to watch or download — no signup required
Want more practice? Explore my free accent training videos
“Darren’s ‘Small Intensive Accent Modification’ class is very helpful for improving your English communication skills. After this class, you will understand why native English speakers can’t understand you before. Darren showed me my mistakes and how to solve them. I realized how important it is to pronounce the words correctly when I am speaking. I highly recommend you to attend!”
EHS & Quality Coordinator, BSH Home Appliances Group
Traunreut, Bavaria, Germany | Native Language:
Ready to train like Mavera? See class options
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s build a plan that fits your goals, your voice, and your life.
Serving clients in Portland, Oregon and worldwide with online accent training and speech coaching consultations.