It’s not your accent that’s unclear. It’s their bias thatis.

In Episode 3 of UnMuted Voices, I sit down with Jhon Cardona, an adjunct instructor in Rhode Island College’s ESL Intensive Program who has been teaching English as a Second Language for nearly 20 years in both the United States and his native Colombia. Jhon also teaches at RIC’s Workforce Development Hub, writes and translates for RIC’s Office of College Communications and Marketing, and teaches introductory Spanish at Salve Regina University.

We talk about how accent bias can influence how people seeour credibility, leadership, and worth. This conversation is honest, uplifting, and might just help you see your voice in a new way.

Here is what you can expect in this episode:

·      Stories from Jhon’s personal and professionaljourney with accent bias

·      Insights on how bias focuses on how we speakinstead of what we say

·      A deeper look at why clear does not have to meanstandard

·      Thoughts on how bilingualism can build trust andopen unexpected doors

·      Practical ways to challenge bias and own the wayyou speak

 Jhon shared so much wisdom in this conversation. If you’d love to keep learning from him, connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhon-j-cardona-ramos-6a488616b/

And if you’d like to explore more of Jhon’s work, you can read his articles for RIC News:

 • First feature on the refugee experience:https://our.ric.edu/news-events/news/refugee-struggle-worth-it

 • Wilmer’s journey to a RIC degree:https://our.ric.edu/news-events/news/meet-our-graduates-esl-classes-led-wilmer-ric-degree

 • Jenny Galvez’s strength in the face of adversity:https://our.ric.edu/news-events/news/meet-our-graduates-jenny-galvez-strength-face-adversity

Have you ever felt underestimated because of how you speak?

I’d love to hear your story in the comments or in a DM.

Want to learn more about accent bias and how to tackle it? Check out our upcoming book, Unmuted Voices: How We Hear Accents and Learn to Judge Differently. You’ll find stories, insights, and practical strategies to recognize bias and create more inclusive ways of listening and communicating. Learn more here: https://www.sitbstudio.com/unmutedvoicesbook

#UnMutedVoices #AccentBias #FindYourVoice #BilingualStrength #CulturalConnection