What Is Involved In Accent Training?

A leopard can’t change its spots, and a zebra can’t change its stripes. But you can change your accent with the right methods and a little bit of effort.

What is accent training all about?

It is the process of modifying your pronunciation to the standard of the area where you live. Most people who seek out accent training live in the United States and want to make their lives easier by speaking clear and understandable English. Accents are beautiful, but they tend to distract people from the business at hand.

If you want to cut through the confusion and get some work done, then “Broadcaster’s English” is the dialect to aim for to have clear, professional English.

What are the best methods for accent training?

Start by breaking down the sounds that make up the language in a mechanical way. For example, what should your tongue do? What position should it be in? Should it move or stay still? What about the lips, jaw, throat, etc.? These are the questions you have to start with to standardize your pronunciation. But where can you find the answers to those questions? You might find helpful tips if you google sounds that everyone has difficulty with, like R or TH. However, your best bet is to hire an accent coach who can give you personalized training and feedback.

Your accent coach will show you how to move your mouth for each sound and give you on-the-spot corrections that will help you develop better pronunciation habits. An accent coach can also help you to connect the sounds together using reductions and word linking exercises. Once you are comfortable with the new sounds and can use them consistently and accurately, then your accent coach can train you to catch the right rhythm and intonation patterns.

Learning a little bit once a week is better than attending a one-time class or lecture. Sure, you can learn a lot in one of those events, but you won’t get the chance to apply what you learn over time and receive the feedback you need. So instead, sign up for a service that pairs you with an accent coach who can address your personal needs and questions.

What is the goal of accent training?

Sometimes, we say we want to “lose” our accent or “reduce” our accent. But you’re not losing anything. On the contrary, you’re gaining something new. With the standard American accent, you gain clarity and ease of communication.

The goal is not to forget your home culture. Instead, you want to blend in better with the culture and dialect of the people you live and work with. Your goals should go beyond simply being understood, though. Skillful communication can help you to overcome the social boundaries that keep you from moving up and moving on. It’s a soft skill that enables you to connect with colleagues on another level.

How hard is accent training?

Accent training is easier than you might think. The two elements that can make it seem hard are change and consistency. A lot of folks don’t like change. But with the proper determination and the right outlook, you can reach your goals. Embrace your mistakes and learn from them. That will make you stronger.

You may get an overwhelming feeling when you realize that almost every single sound needs to change. But as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Each little step adds up. You start building on prior knowledge so that your communication style can reach new heights. Your accent coach can help you see how you are progressing and help you press on and stay consistent. Eventually, the clouds clear, and you start to see the patterns between all the little things you have learned. The process takes some time, but it is fascinating and rewarding.

How can I get started?

You can sign up for a subscription to accent training and set your program to once, twice, three times, or more per week. The more, the better. But, even if you have a busy schedule, consistency is the most important thing. So, get started today and find out what accent training can do for you!