Are you wondering how to develop your accent? Can American accent training help you communicate more clearly?
If you have a non-American accent and you’re living and working in America, then you know how important it can be to improve your American accent.
Standard American English is increasingly considered a global standard of communication. In America, speaking heavily accented English has been shown to negatively impact career mobility.
You can work on improving your American accent. This may feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a few essential things you can do to reduce a non-native thick accent.
The good news is that you can do them on your own, although this requires a lot of effort and discipline on your part. Another option that’s often easier and more effective is to find an accent academy and enroll in accent reduction classes.
Focus on these 3 basic things to succeed on your accent journey.
1. Maintain a Positive Mindset and Motivation
As American accent trainers and coaches, we write a lot about the importance of mindset and motivation. As someone who’s already learned at least 2 languages, you know that language acquisition and accent development take ongoing, consistent effort. This doesn’t change, even if you’re someone who enjoys language learning.
This is why we like to stress the role of mindset and motivation. Learning an American accent requires regular training, similar to working out at a gym or any other goal that requires developing a new skill. When it comes to keeping a training program, positivity and patience go a long way.
You’re going to need to stay patient and keep your eyes on the ultimate goal, which is feeling confident that your accent and speech support your greater aspirations and success. –-Read our tips on speaking with an American accent with confidence.
Learning your native accent took years, though it happened so naturally during childhood that you didn’t notice. A new accent is also going to take some time. And as with any process like this, there will be ups and downs.
If you’re working on your own, anticipate periods of challenge or discouragement and have strategies in place. If you’re working with an American accent trainer, your trainer will encourage you when you need it most, and help keep you motivated if it feels hard.
2. Create a Routine For American Accent Training
Developing your American accent requires dedicated effort with two things. The first is accent reduction or softening your native accent. The second is accent training. Essentially, you subtract the features you don’t want (speech patterns of your native accent). And you add the features you do want (speech patterns that create the American accent).
There are many general practices and exercises that people use to accomplish both of these things. The most common practices are things like listening to the American accent, practicing it through various exercises such as tongue twisters or pronunciation drills, or deliberately speaking slower than usual.
If you’re taking accent reduction classes, a trainer will choose the accent training exercises for you and help create a routine. For example, in our classes, an American accent trainer meets with you one-on-one to give you personalized exercises and help you practice them correctly. This takes the guesswork out and ensures you’re practicing the most effective exercises in the most effective way. All you have to do is show up and work the program.
3. Enroll in a Professional American Accent Training Program
There are a lot of decisions and potential pitfalls in the journey of refining and developing your accent. That’s why one of the most important things you can do is make sure that you have adequate support and resources.
From books to blogs, from YouTube videos to TikTok accent trainers, the Internet is full of an overwhelming amount of advice. Where should you start? How can you avoid unreliable advice or misdirection? How can you ensure that your accent journey is successful and positive?
The best way is to enroll in an accent academy with a proven record of success. An accent training program offers specialized accent reduction classes and can provide the expertise and structure you need.
With 800+ 5-star reviews on Facebook and Trustpilot, our leading accent program is the best and fastest-growing one out there. Our professional coaches know what works and can tailor classes to your specific needs and native accent.
Are you ready to learn more about how we help people just like you get rid of their thick accents? Learn about our American accent training plans and sign up today.
