Accent Reduction Classroom

Most non-native English speakers have an accent when they speak English but they don’t understand why.

Most importantly they don’t know what steps they can take to change this!

In this lesson I will tell you why you have a an accent when you speak English. Then I will explain four things you must do if you want to reduce your accent. 

First of all, do you understand why you have an accent?

According to the Linguistic Society of America, “a ‘foreign’ accent occurs when a person speaks a new language using the familiar sounds and patterns of their first language.”

What this means is, as an adult learner, you are probably using the sounds and patterns of your native language when you speak English. The way you unconsciously transfer the sounds and patterns of your native language to English, determines the characteristics of your “foreign accent”. 

When you do this American listeners may not be able to understand what you are saying.

So, what steps can you take to reduce your accent?  Well, your  accent is more often the result of the way you use (or don’t use) syllable stress, sentence stress and intonation than the way you pronounce vowel and consonant sounds.

Therefore any study of accent reduction should focus on these four areas.

1. Syllable stress patterns- This is because Americans rely on syllable stress for comprehension.

2. Sentence stress patterns- American English speech rhythm depends on the correct pronunciation of content words, focus words and function words.

3.  Sentence intonation patterns- Americans use different types of intonation to convey specific meanings in different situations. 

4. Vowel & Consonant Sounds-Of course you will also need to learn to pronounce unfamiliar vowel and consonant sounds and sound combinations.

Some people are able reduce their accent through self study. However, accent reduction involves moving your mouth, tongue, teeth and jaws in ways that may feel strange and uncomfortable, so most people need some help and guidance, especially when they first get started.

By studying the areas that I describe above you can reduce your accent and communicate with confidence. You can enjoy speaking English with Americans!

I teach you all the basic knowledge you need to get started on reducing your accent in my Accent Reduction Essentials Course.