The AI Pronunciation Coach

Steve Kiss is a language learning specialist and technology entrepreneur with over fifteen years of experience teaching English as a second language. He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of California, Los Angeles, where his research focused on the intersection of computer-assisted language learning and second-language phonology. After teaching ESL in classrooms across the United States, Japan, and Spain, Steve founded **VoxAccent**, an ed-tech startup that developed one of the earliest AI-driven pronunciation feedback systems for mobile devices. That experience gave him firsthand insight into how learners actually use—and sometimes struggle with—voice technology.

Steve has since become a recognized voice in the field of AI-powered language instruction. He has contributed to the development of curriculum standards for speech recognition in language learning at the Open University, and he consults with companies like ELSA and Speechling on user experience and pedagogical design. His articles on pronunciation hacking and smart coaching have appeared in *TESOL Quarterly*, *Language Learning & Technology*, and the *British Council’s TeachingEnglish* blog.

A passionate polyglot (Spanish, Japanese, Catalan, and basic Russian), Steve understands the perseverance required to master a new sound system. He is convinced that AI can democratize high-quality pronunciation training, freeing learners from the constraints of classroom time and native-speaker availability. When he is not testing new voice apps, Steve enjoys hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, cooking Thai food, and recording audiobooks for independent authors. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his family and a collection of harmonicas that he plays badly but enthusiastically.

*The AI Pronunciation Coach* is his second book. His first, *The Lexical Advantage: Building Vocabulary through Smart Repetition*, remains a popular guide for intermediate learners. You can connect with Steve at **stevekiss.co** or on Twitter/X at **@stevekiss_esl**.