| Are you a non-native English or regionally | | | | receive your training. In addition, comparing your |
| accented speaker and would like some assistance | | | | own patterns to your trainer or other native |
| with improving the clarity of your spoken | | | | English speakers will assist with recognizing the |
| messages? Here are seven accent reduction tips | | | | differences, whether subtle or overt, between |
| to assist you as you work to increase your | | | | your speaking style and theirs. |
| listeners' ability to understand your spoken | | | | 4. Imitate Someone Who is a Native Speaker of |
| communication. | | | | English |
| Top Tips to Reduce Your Accent | | | | This can be a co-worker, a friend, or your trainer. |
| 1. Listen to Books on Tape | | | | Listen to how they pronounce words. Listen to |
| For your next read, why not choose to listen | | | | where they put stress on words and the rhythm |
| rather than peruse? Aurally attending to a book | | | | of their speech. Ask them to say a word that is |
| on tape is a perfect opportunity to listen to | | | | particularly hard for you to articulate and try to |
| speakers of standard American English as this is | | | | imitate the way they say it. |
| the customary dialect for books on tape. Pay | | | | 5. Use a Pronunciation Tool |
| attention to the intonation, stress, and rhythm of | | | | Go to Merriam Webster online and type in the |
| the speaker. This will assist you as you modify | | | | word that you have trouble saying. It has a |
| your own speaking habits. | | | | wonderful tool to listen to the standard American |
| 2. Speak Slowly | | | | English pronunciation. Imitate the way you hear |
| Many times, due to an increased rate of speech, | | | | the word. |
| a speaker can lessen his intelligibility or ability to be | | | | 6. Use Target Words in Multiple Situations |
| understood simply because he is "speaking too | | | | Once you have heard the correct pronunciation |
| fast." When beginning to modify your accent | | | | for the trouble word and have imitated it, use it in |
| patterns, a slow rate of speech will assist with | | | | a sentence. Use it in a longer utterance by |
| proper enunciation of words, therefore improving | | | | describing it or having a conversation about it. |
| your chances of being understood. | | | | Practice using the word in different situations. |
| 3. Record Yourself and Listen to How You Speak | | | | 7. Be Patient |
| This is a good opportunity for you to raise an | | | | Reducing an accent takes time. Don't be too hard |
| awareness of your own accented speech | | | | on yourself. With persistence and commitment, |
| patterns. Recording yourself is also beneficial for | | | | you can achieve your desired communication |
| monitoring your progress over time as you | | | | goals! |