Foreign Accent Modification
Success in American society depends greatly upon one’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
While many speakers of English as a second language have a strong grasp or mastery of the English language, their pronunciation or intonation patterns and lack of familiarity with idiomatic expressions may interfere with their ability to be clearly understood or to comprehend the subtle nuances of communication. Particularly strong accents may give the impression that you do not communicate well in English. These limitations may result in frustration and embarrassment, and may even present career barriers for the individual aspiring to obtain leadership roles requiring additional public speaking.
In the corporate environment, public speaking skills are extremely important as individuals must often engage in extensive conversations, presentations, and telephone calls. Professional image is created by visual, verbal, and vocal messages. The inability to communicate effectively with power and confidence may have a direct impact on company image, result in loss of business, and decrease productivity in the workplace
In addition to those individuals who speak English as a second language, others who pursue accent modification may wish to change their regional accent (such as a Southern American accent) in an effort to increase personal and professional opportunities. Whether you're a businessperson seeking to expand your career opportunities, a physician representing a hospital or private practice, or an actor hoping to achieve more diverse roles, improving your speech through accent modification will allow you to be more confident and effective, both socially and professionally.
Accent modification is a systematic method for changing speech patterns, including pronunciation, voice production, intonation, and rhythm. Working with an accent modification specialist, you will become familiar with the basic sounds of spoken English and identify those that are challenging for you. You will learn how rate, melody, rhythm and placement are as important for clear speech as properly formed vowels and consonants. When necessary, vocal presentation including pitch, loudness, and intonation will be addressed. In general, you'll begin to hear and feel how to modify your speech to communicate more clearly, and achieve a more North American sound.
Anyone who speaks English as a second language or whose accent impacts their personal or professional life.
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Attorneys
- Receptionists
- Executives
- Broadcasters
- Telemarketers
- Teachers
- Clergy
- Realtors
- Politicians
- Actors
- Customer Service Representatives
- More effective speech
- Greater understanding from listeners
- Career growth opportunities
- Increased self confidence and esteem
- Improved professional image of your company
- Foreign Accent/ Regional Dialect Reduction
- Professional Speaking Skills
- Voice Improvement
First, a certified and licensed speech-language pathologist will carefully analyze your speech to determine how your speech and pronunciation varies from standard American English. Your speech pathologist will then determine which accent modification techniques would best address your specific needs. The recommended frequency and duration of an accent modification program will depend on a number of factors and can be tailored to fit your needs.
No two individuals are the same. Rate and degree of improvement depend on a number of factors, such as the extent of the foreign accent, additional needs such as grammatical or voice improvement, and commitment to the program. Foreign accent modification takes hard work and dedication. Individuals who attend recommended sessions and practice diligently can expect a significant change in their accent or dialect.
- Individual training
- Corporate/ Group training
- Accent reduction for medical professionals
- Voice training
- Compton P-ESL
For more information on our foreign accent modification services or to schedule an appointment, please contact us at (443) 849-2087.
- Watch the mouth movements of native speakers! Observe the mouth movements of native American speakers. Repeat what they are saying, imitating the intonation and rhythm of their speech.
- Slow down! Until you learn the correct intonation and rhythm of English, slow down your speech. If you speak too quickly with the wrong intonation and rhythm, native speakers will have a hard time understanding you.
- Use your dictionary! Become familiar with the phonetic symbols of your dictionary and look up the correct pronunciation of words that are hard for you to say.
- Ask someone! Make a list of frequently used words that are difficult for you to pronounce and ask a native speaker to pronounce them for you. Record these words, listen to them, and practice saying them.
- Listen to books on tape! Listen and read at the same time. Record yourself reading some sections of the book. Compare the sound of your English with that of the speaker.
- Pay attention to word endings! Pronounce the ending of each word. Pay special attention to “s” and “ed” endings.
- Read aloud! Read aloud in English, such as a novel or the newspaper, for fifteen to twenty minutes each day. This will help you strengthen the mouth muscles that you use when you speak English. Research has shown that it takes about three months of daily practice to develop strong mouth muscles for speaking a new language.
- Listen to yourself! Record your own voice and listen for pronunciation mistakes. This is an excellent exercise because it will help you become conscious of the mistakes that you are making.
- Be patient! You can change the way you speak but it won’t happen overnight. People often expect instant results and give up too soon. You can change the way you sound if you are willing to put some effort into it.
