American Accent TrainingHow To Get Rid Of A Thick Accent

Do you have a thick accent that holds you back professionally or socially? Are you living or working in America and find that many native English speakers simply don’t understand you, even though you know the language? Are you wondering what American accent training is and if it’s right for you? If so, you’re not alone.

Many people have a strong accent and don’t even realize it.

What Are The Challenges?

A heavy accent can make it very difficult for others to understand what you’re saying. It can cause them to perceive you as less experienced or professional than you are. Or, it can cause you to feel shy and interfere with your social life.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

There are a few things you can do to reduce your accent so you can express yourself clearly and without fear of being misunderstood. Accent reduction is not only possible but quite achievable. We know because the professional American accent trainers in our accent academy help people reduce their native accents every single day.

In this article, we’re revealing 3 key accent reduction tips. 

1. Be Consistent With Your American Accent Training

You didn’t learn your native accent overnight. And you’re not going to reduce or retrain a new accent overnight, either. Mastering any physical skill takes time and consistent effort, and reducing your accent is no different.

Accent reduction involves muscle memory. Essentially, you’re retraining your vocal and mouth muscles to move in new and different ways. In this respect, you’re like a novice piano player, sitting down for the first time and reprogramming your fingers and hands for new movements. Just like the new piano student, you should practice accent exercises every day and take weekly accent training classes.

Of course, the more you practice, the faster you’ll progress. We’ve found that most students make great progress with 1-3 short classes each week. Just remember to practice during class and in your regular life. Doing both will ensure you reduce your thick accent as fast as possible.

Read more about American accent training.

2. Slow Down Your Speech

One of the most fundamental principles of learning a new accent is slowing down when you speak. Why is this?

You need extra time to learn to pronounce sounds and words accurately.  The muscle memory that you’re retraining wants to flow on “automatic” – it wants to express your native language and accent.

Your muscles and vocal system aren’t trying to be stubborn – they’re just doing the only thing they know how to do. They’re absolute experts at your native language, after all. But they need time to learn and integrate new movements and ways of making new sounds. For them, this is like learning to walk all over again.

Speaking more slowly sounds so easy! You can do that, right?

Actually, there are two common barriers to speaking slowly.

The first barrier involves language “speed.” By now, you’ve probably noticed that some languages are spoken by native speakers much faster than others. For example, Spanish is generally spoken much faster than English. And Japanese is generally spoken faster than both.

Your muscle memory is trained to create your native speech at a certain speed, and this might frustrate your attempts to speak slowly. Or, perhaps a speed “mismatch” between your native language and the secondary one will make the new accent feel EXTRA-SLOW, causing feelings of resistance or discomfort. 

The second barrier is anxiety over speaking too slowly around native speakers. This is a worry over how native English speakers may perceive you. This is one reason accent reduction classes are incredibly useful. They are safe spaces where you can speak as slowly as you need to, so you can learn and practice. And if you have trouble speaking as slowly as you should, your American accent trainer will be there to prompt you to do so.

3. Take Accent Reduction Classes

We’ve talked about the importance of practicing regularly and slowing down when you speak in a new accent.

Now, it’s time to discuss accent reduction training in more detail. What is it and how can it help you get rid of a thick accent?

What Are Accent Reduction Classes?

Accent classes are specialized classes led by expert accent trainers. For example, our accent reduction tutors use tailored exercises and speech drills that are proven to soften non-native accents. Our trainers are professionals with the expertise to guide you to success.

Classes provide the structure that many busy people need to ensure they follow through with their accent training. Students consistently progress and because of this, they stay motivated. They don’t have to struggle trying to figure it all out on their own. All they have to do is show up, work with their trainer, and stay positive.

Benefits Of Accent Reduction Classes

American accent training in an accent academy like ours provides private, one-on-one guidance. You get 100% of the attention and focus of your trainer throughout the program so that you make the fastest progress possible.

A class format also provides reliable feedback and correction as you progress through the exercises. 

While some people may suggest that you record yourself or practice in a mirror, these methods often don’t retrain your ear. Many of our students simply can’t “hear” many of their mistakes on their own. They often believe that they’ve been saying something correctly for years when they haven’t! 

Finally, an accent reduction class provides the safest, most non-judgmental space for you to learn and practice consistently. 

You don’t have to worry about how you’ll be perceived when you speak slowly to practice pronunciation. You and your trainer are there for one reason – and that is to reduce your accent so you can feel more confident and empowered. Your trainer is a partner who celebrates your efforts and success, every step of the way.

With 800+ 5-star reviews on Facebook and Trustpilot, Accent Advisor is the best online accent academy today. Our affordable plans fit your busy schedule, no matter where you are in the world. 

Enroll in our American accent reduction classes to start getting rid of your thick accent today!