Darren Packard

About Darren Packard

I\'m a nationally-certified Speech-Language Pathologist with 23 + years of experience, specializing in online and in-person training to improve the professional communication skills of non-native English speakers in the areas of:American English Pronunciation Melody / IntonationSpeech RateSpeech VolumeSpoken English Skills Business Communication Presentation SkillsInterview SkillsConversation Skills Pragmatic and Social SkillsNon-verbal LanguageTo speak more clearly and with confidence In:ConversationsMeetingsPresentations InterviewsTraining is provided through my company Packard Communications, based in Portland, Oregon. Assessments, classes, and 1:1 instruction are in-person or online for both individuals and corporations. I\'m also on the faculty at colleges and universities, specializing in American English pronunciation and communication skills and I\'m the co-founder of the YouTube channel \"Sounds American\" and our forthcoming American English pronunciation app. My areas of expertise include American English pronunciation; accent reduction and accent modification; American English melody and intonation; English language; business communication; presentation skills; interviewing skills; and conversation and social skills. Certifications: American Speech-Language and Hearing Association; Oregon and Washington licensed speech-language pathologist.

Experience

1. Faculty

   Portland Community College

   Mar 2005 — Present

   Developed and teaching Accent Reduction and Accent Modification classes for non-native English speakers throughout the Portland, Oregon area for Portland Community College.Over 180 classes with 1,250 students taught since 2005. Improving American English pronunciation (vowels and consonants); intonation and melody of American English; learning how sounds are spelled in American English; learning how to apply new speech skills; and providing students with a home practice program, to improve on their own. Areas served by these classes include Portland, Oregon, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bethany, Cedar Mil,l Cedar Hills, Oak Hills, Lake Oswego, West Linn, West Slope, Camas, Happy Valley Rock Creek, Sherwood, Raleigh Hills, Tigard, Tualatin, Gresham, Wilsonville, Aloha, Salem, Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Oregon City, Woodburn, Forest Grove, Newberg, Milwaukee, Sherwood, Canby, Troutdale, and Cornelius.

Education

• University of Oregon

  Master's degree, Speech Language Pathology

  1994 — 1997

• Portland State University

  Master's, Speech-Language Pathology

  1997 — 2001

Skills

• Training
• Language Disorders
• Rehabilitation
• Intonation Training
• Community Outreach
• Public Speaking
• Clinical Research
• Cognition
• Articulation
• Phonology
• Cognitive Rehabilitation
• English
• Pronunciation
• Speech Therapy
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• English Speaking
• English Pronunciation
• Executive Coaching
• Coaching
• Therapists
• Treatment
• Accent Reduction
• Teaching
• Leadership
• Speech
• Accent Modification
• Business English