Aurora Academy

Purchase now. Course commencing in March.

We are proud to introduce SpeakSmart™, a clinically focused Accent Management and Speech Modulation program designed specifically for healthcare professionals working in English-speaking environments.

SpeakSmart™ is not about changing who you are.

It is about clearer, more standard pronunciation for better communication—while preserving identity.

This program equips clinicians with practical, evidence-informed tools to improve clarity, confidence, and connection with patients, colleagues, and multidisciplinary teams.

Who This Course Is For

SpeakSmart™ is designed for:

• Overseas-trained healthcare professionals

• Dentists, doctors, and allied health practitioners who are Culturally and Linguistically diverse (CALD)

• Students, interns, and early-career clinicians who are of CALD groups

• Experienced clinicians seeking improved patient communication and case acceptance

This course is particularly relevant for clinicians working in high-communication, high-stakes environments such as consultations, informed consent discussions, emergency care, and multidisciplinary settings.

Program Leadership & Faculty

Program Director

Dr Shahana Abed

Dr Shahana brings a unique combination of:

• Clinical healthcare experience

• Applied communication psychology

• Accent management coaching

• Cultural competence in multilingual clinical settings
  
  

The course integrates principles from:

• Speech modulation and phonetic clarity

• Communication psychology

• Applied neuroscience

• Cross-cultural clinical communication

Program Overview

SpeakSmart™ is a structured, practical, and clinically relevant program delivered through a blend of:

• Online learning modules

• Guided exercises

• Case-based clinical examples

• Self-recording and auditory feedback

• Mentored practice and reflection

The program is designed to be flexible, allowing participants to continue their working norms while completing the course.

What You’ll Learn

1. Foundations of Accent & Speech Clarity

• What “accent management” actually means (and what it does not)

• The difference between accent, pronunciation, intonation, and clarity

• Why accent softening is strategic—not personal

• Common myths around accent and intelligence
  
  

2. Anatomy of Speech & Sound Production

• How sounds are physically formed (tongue, lips, jaw, airflow)

• Why certain sounds are challenging across languages

• Understanding consonant precision and vowel shaping

• The role of breath control in clear speech

3. Standard Pronunciation for Clinical Settings

• High-impact clinical words and phrases that affect understanding

• Sound substitutions that commonly cause miscommunication

• Improving intelligibility without losing identity

• Clinically relevant pronunciation drills

4. Speech Modulation & Prosody

• Intonation, stress, rhythm, and pacing

• How monotone or rushed speech affects patient trust

• Modulating tone for authority, empathy, and reassurance

• Speaking clearly under pressure or fatigue
  
  

5. Neuroscience & Psychology of Listener Perception

• How the brain processes unfamiliar accents

• Why patients may “mishear” even when listening carefully

• Cognitive load, stress, and comprehension in patients

• Using speech modulation to reduce misunderstanding
  
  

6. Accent Management in Real Clinical Scenarios

• New patient consultations

• Informed consent conversations

• Emergency or high-stress interactions

• Multidisciplinary handovers

• Telephone and telehealth communication

7. Confidence, Identity & Professional Presence

• Managing self-consciousness around accent

• Speaking with confidence without overthinking speech

• Preserving cultural identity while improving clarity

• Developing a professional, calm, and authoritative voice

8. Practical Integration & Ongoing Practice

• Daily micro-practice strategies

• Self-assessment tools and progress tracking

• Recording, playback, and self-correction techniques

• Long-term speech refinement strategies

What You Get

• Structured online learning modules

• Guided pronunciation and modulation exercises

• Clinically relevant speech drills

• Case-based communication examples

• Practical tools you can apply immediately in clinic

• Certificate of completion

• Access to a professional learning community

Why SpeakSmart™ Is Different

This is not an elocution course.

This is not accent “removal.”

This is not generic public speaking training.

SpeakSmart™ is:

• Healthcare-specific

• Clinically grounded

• Identity-respecting

• Practical and outcome-focused

It is designed to help clinicians:

• Be understood the first time

• Reduce communication friction

• Improve patient confidence and trust

• Feel more confident speaking at work

Delivery Format

• Online, self-paced learning

• Guided exercises and structured progression

• Optional live or mentored components availbale

Outcomes

By the end of SpeakSmart™, participants can expect:

• Clearer, more standard pronunciation in clinical English

• Improved speech modulation and vocal confidence

• Reduced miscommunication with patients and colleagues

• Greater ease and confidence in professional interactions