This advanced-level seminar explores key suprasegmental features, such as rate, intonation, linking, syllable stress, word stress, and phrasal stress, which can significantly impact intelligibility and naturalness for non-native speakers. The seminar combines brief theoretical overviews with practical strategies to use in accent modification. Participants will examine common challenges faced by non-native speakers and learn adaptable, client-centered activities to target suprasegmentals effectively.
Live Webinar
Tue, Sep 22, 2026 at 3:00 pm EDTCEUs/Hours Offered: ASHA/0.1 Advanced, Professional; Calif SLPAB/1.0; IACET/0.1; Kansas LTS-S1370/1.0; SAC/1.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to evaluate which suprasegmental features of English have the greatest impact on non-native speakers’ intelligibility and naturalness.
- After this course, participants will be able to create client-centered suprasegmental intervention plans that address specific prosodic challenges, such as rate, intonation, linking, and stress.
- After this course, participants will be able to design evidence-based activities to target the suprasegmental features that will have the greatest impact on clients’ ability to communicate effectively in English.
Agenda
| 0-10 Minutes | Introduction to Suprasegmentals |
| 10-30 Minutes | Rate and Intonation |
| 30-45 Minutes | Lexical and Phrasal Stress |
| 45-55 Minutes | Linking and Other Features of Connected Speech |
| 55-60 Minutes | Summary / Q&A |
Presented By
Robert McKinney
MA CCC-SLP
Robert (Bob) McKinney, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the lead Speech-Language Pathologist at the Sweetwater Union High School District, where he heads the district's Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Assessment team. At San Diego State University, he supervises graduate students in the Accent and Communication Training Program and teaches phonetics. He had a 26-year career as a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) instructor, teaching and conducting teacher training in six countries, including 17 years at UCSD's English Language Institute. He holds an M.A. in Communicative Disorders, an M.A. in Education/TESOL, and an M.A. in International Relations. He speaks six languages and has worked with clients from more than 80 countries. Bob is active in the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has served on its board of directors.
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Continued and its subsidiaries provide professional education authored by qualified Subject Matter Experts for continuing education purposes. These materials are intended for educational purposes and do not constitute medical advice or a substitute for individual clinical judgment. Continued is not a clinical healthcare provider; the licensed professional is solely responsible for ensuring that the application of any techniques or information presented is within their legal scope of practice and jurisdictional requirements.
Financial: Robert McKinney was paid an honorarium for this presentation. He is the author of “Hereʼs How to Do Accent Modification” published by Plural Publishing in 2019, for which he receives royalties.
Non-financial: Robert McKinney has relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by SpeechPathology.com, a Continued site.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Course participation information
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American Speech-Language-Hearing Assn.
Advanced Level
0.10 ASHA CEUs
California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board
SpeechPathology.com is approved by the California Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Board as a Continuing Professional Development Provider, approval number PDP 268. This course may meet the requirements for 1.00 hours of continuing education credit for speech-language pathologists as required by the California Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board. The responsibility for determining whether or not this specific course counts toward an individual's requirements for license renewal is up to the individual. Please refer to the CA state board rules regarding allowable topics and self-study limits: https://www.speechandhearing.ca.gov/licensees/slp-au_cpd_req.shtml Live webinars on SpeechPathology.com are not included in the self-study limit under California professional development guidelines.
International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training
Continued, LLC, DBA SpeechPathology.com, is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Continued complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, Continued is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. continued, LLC, is authorized by IACET to offer 0.10 CEUs for this program.
Kansas Dept for Aging and Disability Services
Approved for 1.00 continuing education clock hour(s) for Kansas licensed Speech Pathologists by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Long-Term Sponsorship number: LTS-S1370.
Speech-Language and Audiology Canada
Clinically certified members of Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) can accumulate continuing education equivalents (CEEs) for their participation with SpeechPathology.com. One hour of coursework equals 1 CEE. All SAC members are encouraged to participate in on-going education.