Learn to Speak English with a Reduced Accent: Accent Reduction Training

“Pardon, could you please repeat that, I don’t quite understand?” How many times have you said or thought this while on call, in meetings, or directly communicating with a stranger or your boss as a foreigner? So sad.

But wait…

Do you want to learn how to speak English without problems like this?

If so, you’re in luck!

This blog post is all about accent reduction training. We’ll discuss what this type of training entails, and we’ll also provide some tips for getting the most out of it.

Looking to improve your pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker? this post is for you!

What is Accent Reduction Training?

Accent Reduction Training according to Wikipedia is, “a form of  systematic speech training that seeks to reduce the prominence of a person’s accent as well as adopting a new speech accent.” In other words, it’s a way to learn how to speak English clearly and with a reduced accent.

There are many reasons why someone might want to undergo this type of training. Perhaps you’re looking for a job in America, an English-speaking country, or you want to be able to communicate more effectively with such a language.

In a nutshell, it’s a type of speech therapy that helps non-native speakers reduce their accents. This can be done through a variety of methods, including English pronunciation exercises and listening to audio recordings. The goal is to help you learn how to pronounce words correctly, and ultimately, to sound fluent.

How does this program work?

This training typically consists of two parts: learning new pronunciation patterns and practicing these patterns regularly.

To help you reduce your accent, your instructor will likely use a combination of methods. These lessons may include pronunciation exercises, listening to audio recordings, and providing an assessment of your progress.

You’ll learn about the sounds of English and how to produce them correctly, and you’ll also get plenty of opportunities to practice what you’ve learned. The more you practice, the better your results will be.

Purpose of This Training

The purpose of accent reduction training is to help non-native speakers reduce their accents. As you have observed, many people who come from different countries have a very strong accent or maybe speak too fast which can be difficult for others to understand.

While some people may find this interesting, many times it can create communication barriers. With this training, you will learn how to better pronounce words in English so that people can understand you more easily.

Benefits of Accent Reduction Training

There are many benefits of this course. This type of training can help you improve your pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker. These free perks are;

Communication

If you want to learn how to reduce accent in your language, then communication is key. This type of training can help you communicate more effectively with native speakers, your clients or even your colleagues in your company, or business.

Job Opportunities

If you’re looking for a job in an English-speaking country, or you want to be able to communicate more effectively with native speakers in their company, accent reduction classes can help you communicate more effectively with native speakers.

Increase Credibility and Professionalism

In some cases, having a strong accent can make you appear unprofessional while doing business. If you’re looking to increase your credibility and professionalism, then reducing your accent may be something to consider.

Social Cohesion

Have you noticed that strangers become friendly or vulnerable to you when you speak their language? this time not merely void of your accent but with a near-native level of fluency?

Yes, it happens.

And this is one of the benefits you get from training your accent. It builds social cohesion such that it builds confidence in creating interpersonal relationships with people which can have a positive impact on both your personal and professional life.

Standard Bucketlist needed in choosing Accent Reduction Training

At this point, you might be wondering how to choose the right services to reduce your accent. You could be pacing up and down your closet trying to find answers, but right there in your mind, you know what you need.

So, what makes you want to learn how to reduce your accent?? Is it because:

• You want to make it easier for folks to grasp your English while working in their environment?
• You want to be more confident in your English speaking? or
• You want to sound more like a native English speaker? Most people love people who sound like them.

Then, here is a standard bucket list that can help you choose the best training:

Compatibility test

The first step is to take a compatibility test. This will help you determine whether or not the training is a good fit for you. In choosing this course, you must first check whether the course/training is meant for you.

There are many different types of tests, that involve categories of learners (Novices, intermediaries, or experts), but the most important factor is that the test should be able to identify your specific needs. Aside from that, ascertaining why you want to learn and reduce your new language accent is essential as well.

Additional training techniques will aid engineers, nurses, doctors, international medical graduates (IMGs), and other professionals in these courses.

For instance, because English speakers employ a relatively small amount of words; great accent removal training covers the most commonly used vocabulary or phrases in professional English-speaking businesses.

These words are referred to as ‘high-frequency vocabulary,’ and they should be incorporated into your curriculum. Some tools for removing accents also include resources for dealing with industry-specific jargon.

Many effective training businesses, for example, may provide additional materials tailored to important areas such as engineering, finance, information technology, and medicine.

Pronunciation Evaluation

In any case, part of taking an accent reduction course is being able to improve your pronunciation. It is essential to be able to know how you sound when speaking English.

The sound of American English, in particular, can be difficult for non-native speakers to master. You will need an expert’s help to identify which sounds are giving you trouble and how to correct them. This is why a pronunciation evaluation is necessary.

One of the ways pronunciation evaluation is done is through “Speech Awareness”. Here, the sounds, stress, and intonation of American accents are explained.

This will help you understand how the sounds are made and what the differences are between an American accent (for instance), and your native language.

If you are a novice, it is recommended that you get training that covers topics ranging from;

Vowel Structure

The letters ‘a, e, i, o, u’ are all called vowel sounds as there are 12 vowel sounds in American English. However, you must distinguish between lengthy, short vowels and double vowel sounds e.g. sheet, shot, shoot.

The sounds of these vowels are produced in different ways, and you will be able to learn all of them through a good reduction course.

Intonation

This is the rise and fall of your voice when you speak. It helps create meaning and shows how you feel about what you’re saying. For example, if you increase the pitch of your voice at the end of a sentence, it sounds like you are asking a question.

Stress

This is when you make one syllable in a word more prominent than the others. For example, if you stress the first syllable in the word ‘present,’ it sounds like you are saying ‘pre-sent.’ If you stress the second syllable, it sounds like you are saying ‘pres-ent.’

Speech Rate

This entails how fast or slowly you speak. For instance, Americans usually speak at a rate of 150-160 words per minute. If you speak too slowly, people may not understand you. If you speak too quickly, they may also not understand you.

You can be taught all of these things and more in a good accent reduction course. It is essential to get the best possible training so that you can reduce your accent and sound clearly.

With the right instruction, you will be well on your way to speaking English with confidence.

The Tutor/instructor’s experience

Inquire about the experiences of the instructors. How long have they been doing this? Do they understand regional accents, and can they help you with yours? Do they have any success stories? These are all the things you should consider before setting your goals, your learning style, and your budget.

Firstly, you should know that working with ESL Tutors (for instance), who have little or no knowledge of this field and aren’t conversant with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), can do more harm than good.

A Speech Therapist or Speech Pathologist on the other hand is an ideal choice if they have experience working with clients in the area of accent reduction training.

The key benefit of using a Speech Therapist for accent reduction training is that they are familiar with and use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) (International Phonetic Alphabet).

They’ll also employ tried-and-true strategies for learning and modifying speech sounds, as well as significant knowledge of articulated mouth placement.

Because most Speech Therapy / Pathology University courses do not include accent reduction teaching, you must do your research on this.

You should be aware that it is a distinct industry in which they will need to gain additional experience and knowledge once their degree is completed.

In other words, the right instructor will make all the difference in your training. They should also be experienced and well-versed in different methods of teaching (including online delivery).

Budget

Of course, you will also need to consider your budget. There are many different programs out there, and they all have different price tags. You will need to find a program that fits your budget.

If your budget is below $200, then you may want to run to the nearest store to buy cassettes, rent/buy books, or, look into a free online class. If your budget is above $1000, then you may want to look into a more comprehensive program.

Conclusion

Accent reduction training is an essential tool for anyone who wants to learn to speak the languages of his choice with confidence. With the right instruction, you can reduce your accent with clarity.

There are many different factors to consider when choosing accent reduction classes. You will need to consider your goals, your learning style, and your budget.

You also need to make sure that the program is compatible with your needs. Lastly, you will want to make sure that your coach is experienced and well-versed in different methods of teaching as well as sure he/she/they are offering quality professional services.

Once you have considered all of these factors, you will be well on your way to finding the perfect program for you. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!