I wasn’t sure where to post this but it can always be moved can it not 
I’ve had my cockatiel for around a year now and she will not make a single sound besides the annoying squawk. I talk to her constantly, repeating often used and simple words but she still won’t speak, my question…how can I get her to speak? Any help appreciated 
Some links that might help.
http://www.cockatiel.com/training.shtml
http://www.lafeber.com/ask-lafeber/messages/6667.html
http://www.nitasnest.homestead.com/bwbtalking.html
They say female cockatiels tend not to talk, but opinion on that is divided.
I’ve never owned a cockatiel, but if the experience is in anyway transferable I have an African Grey that talks almost constantly
Four things I think might be useful for teaching any bird to talk - firstly pick a time when the bird is interested to talk to her. If the bird isn’t paying any attention to you, give up and try again later.
(Personally I’ve never had any success trying to teach specific phrases, my parrot has only learnt phrases that we use in normal conversation, particularly things we say on a daily basis (“hello” “goodnight” “see you later” etc). You might be better trying to teach words that you also regularly use in conversation in front of her. Other birds don’t tend to pick up context like Greys though, so this may not be relevant)
Secondly, same way as one of the articles Ice Wolf has posted suggests tapes, leave the television or radio on when you’re at work. It stops them getting bored anyway, and exposes them to more human voices.
Thirdly, my parrot talks far, far more when she isn’t getting attention. Don’t give your cockatiel constant attention, or she’ll have no need to talk to you.
Finally, bear in mind you may just have a bird that doesn’t talk. In my experience, they manage noises (doorbells, mobile phone rings) before words. Certainly they babble before mastering speech, if after a year of trying she is still just squawking she may never manage it. On the other hand, it is very true to say that, once they manage their first word they will speak far, far more in future.
Also, cockatiels aren’t the best talkers in the world even when they learn to. My friend had one that would “talk,” but you really had to know what you were listening for to understand him. It was more like he would make sounds similar to the syllables and inflections in words, without the actual word sounds (if that makes any sense.) My cockatiel wouldn’t talk at all. Don’t expect african grey-type behavior; greys are among the best mimics in the bird world.
That being said, cockatiels are pretty good mimics of whistling sounds. We both got ours to whistle “super bird” and wolf whistle, among other things.
Enjoy the little guy. Birds are a lot of fun.
Is she finger tame? All training should be done “face-to-face” so you have her undivided attention. Start with one word like “hello” or “baby”. Do not try another word until she learns the first one. Give her a 15 minute “lesson” at the same time every day.
If you have a tape recorder, record the first few lessons so you have about an hours worth on tape. Play the tape for her when you’re not around and the house is quiet.
Patience and repetition, my friend. . .
Cockatiels aren’t the best talkers but they are awesome whistlers. Try whistling a tune or phrase everytime you enter the area where your bird is. Soon he/she will “whistle” the tune whenever you come in the area. I started with the “charge!” whistle. You know, the catchy “Charge!” chime your hear at sporting events…Da da da dat dada…Charge! After a couple weeks A.J. (my bird) would whistle and then I’d say “Charge!”. Within a few months he was whistling the charge! part also. Too bad he died a few years ago, but I loved him dearly while he was alive.
Brazin