Friday, August 20, 2010

Why Should I Take an Accent Reduction Class?

"Why should I take an accent reduction class?" you may have asked yourself. "Would I really benefit from it?" you wonder.

One way to determine if it would be worth it is to ask yourself these questions:

  • Have you ever been misunderstood when you thought you had been very clear?
  • Do people ever ask you to repeat yourself because they don't understand what you said?
  • Are you concerned that you may miss a job opportunity or promotion because of your accent?
  • Are you afraid to speak up because you are worried that you'll be misunderstood?
If you have ever experienced any of these things, you may have wondered how to make yourself more easily understood without losing your regional dialect or native accent.

The great news is that you can have it all!



By working with a trained speech professional, you can improve your English pronunciation, often by 70% or more, without completely losing the accent that reflects your heritage.

Would it improve your self-esteem to be understood every time you speak? Would you gain self-confidence if you never had to repeat yourself again? Would you sleep better at night knowing that your speech no longer negatively impacted your job performance?

If you answered yes to those questions, then accent reduction training could be right for you.
First, look for a speech trainer or coach who specializes in accent reduction. Speech pathologists have the highest degree of training in how to teach you to pronounce sounds correctly.

To determine if an accent reduction class will be beneficial, ask for a free screening or consultation and tell the trainer exactly what concerns you have about your speech.  A quality program should include a customized evaluation and a training plan tailored to your individual needs.

It may include either individual or small group sessions, since it is often beneficial to hear others practice even if their native language is different from yours. Your classes may be held in person at your office or at the office of your speech coach. Alternately, you may choose to have private lessons via webcam, a more private and often more cost-effective option.

During the sessions, you should learn to hear the differences in your speech, discover a new way to pronounce troublesome words, and practice your new skills in relevant conversation.

Reducing your accent will require a time of dedication and practice on your part, but by working with a qualified speech professional and practicing at home, you will soon find yourself communicating more easily with everyone around you.

As Anthony Robbins says, "The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives."

Don't you want a better quality of life?

Then make a difference in your life by enhancing your communication skills. Find an accent reduction class today, because every word counts.

Why don't you take my free online speech and accent screening at http://www.losemyaccent.com? It only takes a few minutes, and you will get free tips on how to improve your communication skills.