I often meet students who feel that their foreign accent holds them back and even prevents them from feeling confident when they are communicating with native English speakers.
We expect that the main challenges involved in learning a new language are things like grammar, vocabulary, and writing, but we forget about the challenges presented by an accent.
One way to resolve this issue is to take an Accent Reduction Course. Just like English classes, Accent Reduction Courses are for everyone. Keep reading to find out directly from my students the top 15 reasons my students gave for taking an Accent Reduction Course, and see how many ways it can help your daily life.
- “My boss told me that some clients are complaining that they don’t understand me.”
You might feel that your accent is preventing you from progressing and moving forward with your career. Something as simple as reducing your accent could help you to take that next step towards where you deserve to be.
- “I am an actor and my agent told me I have to get rid of my accent if I’m going to get the parts that I want.”
The entertainment industry is extremely competitive and every advantage counts. Something as adjustable as your accent should never get in the way of your dreams and ambitions becoming a reality, and with a bit of time and investment, it doesn’t have to.
- “I am tired of always being asked ‘Where are you from?’”
You have a lot to say and there is a lot more about you than your origins. Help to take the focus off where you’re from and steer the conversation in the direction that you want it to go in.
- “I am ambitious and driven in every area of my life. I believe in self- improvement and I know that I can improve the way that I communicate in English.”
Life is a classroom, and we never stop learning. There are always aspects of your learned language such as your accent that can be improved and perfected if that’s where your motivation takes you.
- “My American friends are not able to correct me. I need a professional to help me. I know the mistakes that I am making but I don’t know how to fix them.”
Friends have the best intentions, but there are times when you need help from a professional who can teach you the rules and mouth positions and give you the learning strategies you need to help you to conquer those mistakes permanently.
- “I get the impression that people take me less seriously at work because of the way that I speak.”
Nobody should feel undervalued in their professional life as a result of their accent. Your skills and professionalism should shine through. An adjustment to your accent could really help with this.
- “I am a nurse and sometimes my patients complain to my supervisor that they don’t understand me.”
In the medical profession it is crucial that you are understood by your patients. They are under your care, and the bond of trust between nurses and their patients is built on successful communication.
- “I love the American culture and the way the accent sounds. I want to learn to sound like that.”
There are times when our goals and reasons for learning different things are a matter of personal preference. Accent reduction classes can focus on helping you speak with the accent you dreamed of when you decided to learn English.
- “My boss told me I need this course. He told me that my company would pay for it.”
Professional development comes in many forms. We get training in other areas of our careers, so why should this be any different?
- “I want to feel more confident when I give presentations in English.”
Whether in college or at work, giving presentations can be a very stressful experience. Eliminating this particular worry means that you can focus on the content and overall delivery of your presentations. Real confidence shines through when you speak. Accent reduction could give you the confidence you need to express your opinions and ideas.
- “I am a college professor. My students complain that they don’t understand me. Sometimes they also use it as an excuse for not doing their assignments.”
In professions where we are often the focus of other people’s attention, it’s important to sound both competent and confident.
- “My kids make fun of my accent.”
Sometimes people make fun of us when they love us but it can also be frustrating. With a bit of work on your accent, you could surprise your kids and tease them right back!
- “People love my foreign accent and I don’t want to lose it, but I just want to reduce it a bit.”
Your accent is part of your charm and who you are, but sometimes you struggle to be understood. By reducing your accent a little, you can keep your individuality and style while communicating more easily with others.
- “I want to learn the rules of correct English pronunciation.”
Some of us are perfectionists and strive for excellence in everything that we do. Accent reduction classes could help you to reach the goals and standards that you set for yourself.
“I hate speaking on the phone in English.”
Speaking on the phone in a new language can be a truly nerve-wracking experience that is difficult to avoid. With a little help with your accent, making a dinner reservation can be a pleasure instead of a source of pain and frustration.
As you can see from these quotes from my students, there is a great variety of reasons why people choose to take the accent reduction course. Whatever your reasons, you can be sure that you’re not alone, and that through these courses you can achieve your goals! Why not give it a try? Why do YOU want to reduce your accent?
Whether your reason is one of the ones listed above, or you have your very own, if you are ready to learn all the rules you need to know, get the New Edition of our most popular video course: “The American Accent Course.” The new version contains a lot more content.