Speaking Pods: Unlock American Culture and Communication Skills with Film – Boost Your Career and Social Life (December-January Session)

OVERVIEW

American film vividly showcases the language playbook essential for becoming an agile speaker at work and in social settings. Each week, we analyze a film, breaking down key scenes for language and cultural insights. Students practice reciting with vocal variety, mirroring the characters’ emotional intent, building muscle memory and confidence for presentations, storytelling, and impromptu speaking.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

In groups of three, you will:

1. Explore and unpack American culture, learning key cultural references.

2. Rehearse and perform iconic scenes, honing your ability to use intonation to convey meaning by mimicking how film actors speak.

3. Practice “movie small talk,” using your insider knowledge of film to master techniques that apply to any conversation—a vital skill for building relationships and networking in America.

4. Enhance your speaking flow with conversational expressions that complement your academic skills, helping you sound natural and relatable.

By blending academic and conversational styles, you’ll become a powerful cultural connector, excelling in both your professional and personal life.

SCHEDULING

November-December

Four 75 min. sessions

Register and your Coach will contact you. Session dates and time will be determined in conjunction with your fellow Pod Mates and Coach Joe.

COST

$400 for 4 one-hour sessions, renewable at the start of the next session.

Instructor BIO:

Since his time living in China in the 80’s, Dr. Rios has helped Chinese and other global professionals worldwide, develop the communication skills and mindset needed to bravely advance their careers and gain the visibility and professional recognition they deserve. He holds a Stanford University PhD in the field of Language, Communication, and Culture and has trained and coached in fortune 500 companies for over 25 years including for Google as Communication coach, and with Google Brain as AI and Human Language Learning Consultant/Researcher.

Endorsement 1:

Attending the “Speaking Pod” class has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me. The teacher Joe brings a unique blend of both American and Asian thinking to the lessons, adding depth and richness to the learning process. His ability to bridge these two perspectives has provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the language and its cultural nuances. He is a great instructor—patient, understanding, and always willing to go the extra mile to help his students succeed.

Endorsement 2:

One of the most valuable aspects of his teaching is how he guides us to master the rhythm of English and the technique of chunking, breaking down sentences into manageable parts. Additionally, he taught us how to communicate effectively with others and make them feel comfortable during conversations. This has significantly improved my fluency, confidence, and interpersonal skills.

Endorsement 3:

His engaging and interactive style makes every class both enjoyable and informative. I highly recommend this class to anyone looking to enhance their English speaking skills.

Disclaimer: MyT may change the pricing for all products and offerings subsequent to the initial offering, and may change the date of its offerings and events, at its sole discretion.  Users may retain and continue use of all MyT offerings provided prior to the effective date of termination or expiration of the offering except if MyT terminates this offering for cause. For any and all offerings, no refunds will be issued.  Any recordings(audio, video, and pictures) become the property of MyT to use as it sees fit, all participation of users is voluntary.