Hey everyone! 👋 Last week you learned how to disagree politely. This week we take on a tough one: how do you stay honest without hurting someone's feelings? 🤔 It's a skill you'll use everywhere, with friends, family, and especially at work in an international team. 📅 Thursday, Oct 22 · Here's what we'll practice: 🔁 Quick recall from last week: say didn't, important, and did you the American way, then respond politely to a strong opinion 🔤 10 new words for honest talk: blunt, tactful, constructive, sugarcoat, white lie, come across, and more (with pronunciation + Vietnamese meanings) 🇺🇸 American Accent Lab 3: Stress & Rhythm 👉 Can vs. can't, the #1 mix-up for learners! (I can help vs. I CAN'T help) 👉 -ed endings: worked, played, needed (three different sounds!) 👉 Sentence stress: "That's a GOOD i-DEA." 🗣️ Feedback phrases that sound honest but kind: "Can I be honest with you?" · "One thing that could help is…" · "Thanks, that's really helpful." 🧠 Summarize → Synthesize → Conclude: honest vs. polite vs. good timing, connected into one smart conclusion 👥 Breakout groups: How can you give honest feedback without hurting feelings? 📝 Before class: Bring your "text or call" synthesis from last week. A few people will share it in 30 seconds! 🎤 🔥 Warm-up question (comment below 👇): Have you ever told a white lie to be kind? Was it the right choice? Bonus points if you use one of these: 👉 "To be honest, I…" 👉 "I think it depends on…" 👀 Sneak peek: next week is the FINALE! Bridge 4 · Thurs, Oct 29th: "What makes someone easy to work with?" 🏆 It's showcase time. Everyone gives their best 90-second synthesis, plus an accent challenge that mixes everything from Labs 1–3! And then… the new Advanced Coaching program launches November 1! 🚀 Use promo code CONNECT365 👉 lighthouseamericaninstitute.com See you Friday! Come ready to be honest… kindly 😉 Listen. Connect. Conclude.

Hey everyone! 👋 Last week we explored what makes a great conversation: listening, sharing stories, and keeping things flowing. This week we're taking it one step further: how do we actually stay in touch? 💬📞 📅 Friday, Oct 16 · [Time] · [Zoom link] Here's what we'll practice: 🔁 Quick recall from last week: Can you still say water, a lot of, and check it out the American way? We'll find out! 😄 🔤 10 new words for staying in touch: catch up, reach out, tone, misread, voice message, and even the very American slang word "ghost" 👻 (with pronunciation + Vietnamese meanings) 🇺🇸 American Accent Lab 2: the stop T (didn't → DID-n), the D + Y blend (did you → DID-juh), and more reductions (gotta, lemme, dunno) 🤝 How to disagree politely: phrases like "I see your point, but…" and "I see it a little differently" to share your opinion clearly and kindly 🧠 Summarize → Synthesize → Conclude: three opinions on texting vs. calling, combined into one smart conclusion 👥 Breakout groups: How can people communicate better in a digital world? 📝 Before class: Did you finish last week's homework? Bring your "best talker" synthesis. A few people will share it in 30 seconds at the start of class! 🎤 🔥 Warm-up question (comment below 👇): Are you more of a texter or a caller? Why? Bonus points if you use one of these: 👉 "Honestly, I'm more of a…" 👉 "It depends. When it's important, I…" See you Friday! Come ready to talk, laugh, and maybe disagree a little (politely, of course 😉). Listen. Connect. Conclude.