About

Hi, I'm Joshua Popenoe

^{I was born in the United States, and lived with my family first in Malaysia and then in England. Living in both Asia and Europe at an early age gave me a love for the tremendous variety of sounds, rhythms, and textures of language and the human voice.}

^{As a teenager, I attended the well-known alternative school in England, SUMMERHILL, and wrote a book about my experience called INSIDE SUMMERHILL, which was published along with my photographs, when I was 17 years old. After publication I lectured about my experience at Summerhill at colleges around the United States.}

^{I’ve been playing with my voice, writing songs and making music since I was a child. As a young man I lived in Japan for 16 years, working as a voice talent, singer and musician. I performed and recorded original music and songs, wrote and recorded TV and radio commercials, did voice-overs, narration, and every kind of voice job imaginable.}

^{After returning to the US, I decided to use my experience and creative ability as a vocalist to help foreign speakers of English improve their pronunciation. After years of study and practical experience, I developed the POPENOE METHOD, a unique and highly effective approach to teaching American-English pronunciation.}

^{I currently live in New York City, where I teach the POPENOE METHOD in person and online in private sessions and group classes. I produced the POPENOE METHOD ONLINE PRONUNCIATION VIDEO MASTER COURSE to reach foreign speakers of English anywhere in the world, and help them speak English with more comfort and confidence.}

^{I continue to write and perform my original songs in venues around NYC. In October 2024 I won 3rd prize singing an original song in a citywide talent contest that started with over 1000 performers. Here's a link to the song I sang. Enjoy!}

^{Josh's Signature Song!}

^{I love living in this amazing international city, where I make music, swing dance, and enjoy connecting with people of so many nationalities, culture and languages!}

^{Pronunciation is a physical skill}

^{* We shape our voice into language using our}^{jaw, tongue, teeth,}^and^lips.

^{* Every language is spoken with its own unique}^{mouth movements, rhythm patterns}^and^intonation.^{In our first language, these movements flow effortlessly and unconsciously.}

^{* As a non-native speaker, mastering fluent English pronunciation requires}^{learning to move your mouth in new ways.}

^{* Think of this like training at a}^{'MOUTH GYM,'}^{where you}^{learn and} ^{practice conscious, focused, physical exercise.}

No regular English teacher could have pointed out to me how to make my English easier to understand. Josh made me realize that a minor change can result in tremendous improvement. Thank you!!
-Naoko Honda

Joshua’s revolutionary correction method will be surprisingly effective in improving your pronunciation.
-Yuuhi Masui (fashion-related businessman)

Joshua’s lessons focus not only on pronunciation, but on what muscles around the mouth to use and what mouth shapes make which sounds. I don’t think you can find this kind of teacher anywhere else!
-Sayuri Goto (jazz pianist)

Josh's method is well-organized and easy to understand. His basic step-by-step system starting from vowels, consonants, rhythm and connection, really helps me understand the structure of English pronunciation and be able to use it in my everyday conversation.
-Bina Kijmedee (graphic designer)

I used to have a strong complex about my English. When I began Josh's pronunciation class, I was astounded! He pointed out basic pronunciation mistakes that I hadn’t been able to hear, and taught me how to use the muscles in my mouth to achieve the correct pronunciation.
-Mari Koga (jazz vocalist)

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