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Q: Why Would I Want To Change My Accent?
A: Each one of us
has an accent. In the English-speaking world alone there are hundreds of
distinct accents and dialects. The variety of accents makes the world a vibrant
place. Our accent ties us to our homeland. Most Americans will tell you that a
"foreign" accent is pleasant, even beautiful. Accent modification does not
attempt to remove any of these positive aspects of accents and dialects but is
a tool to make you more understandable to your co-workers, customers and
friends. Accent modification is for those who feel a genuine need to express
themselves more clearly in the workplace, thereby increasing their ability to
pursue a successful career path. If you find that people concentrate more on
how you are speaking rather than what you are saying, accent
modification training is for you. |
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Q: I Have Already Taken English Classes. Why Don't
I Speak More Clearly?
A: Thousands of non-native speakers of English
have found that accent training with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) offers
a distinct and important enhancement to traditional English classes. An SLP has
a master's degree and has been uniquely educated to analyze the sounds of
speech and to train clients to modify their speech patterns. Our
speech-language pathologists are certified by the
American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association (ASHA). |
Q: How Does Accent Modification Training
Work?
A: Accent training focuses on the sounds and melody of American
English. In an individualized course, your speech will be evaluated thoroughly
and analyzed in detail to determine goals that are unique to you. The trainer
will set up a schedule that addresses your accent needs, and meetings will
focus specifically on the consonants, vowels and intonation patterns that will
make your speech more easily understood. Media such as workbooks, cassettes,
and software are used to enable you to practice at home. |
Q: How Will You Analyze My Speech?
A: During
the first meeting, you will be asked to say numerous words, phrases and
sentences. The SLP will transcribe your speech using the International Phonetic
Alphabet and make detailed notes regarding your intonation patterns and
grammatical errors. This session will be videotaped for further reference.
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Q: How Will the Trainer Set Goals for Me?
A:
After the first session, the SLP will review your videotape and, based on the
transcriptions, determine which sounds and patterns are most difficult for you.
Your trainer will then set up a syllabus based on these targeted
areas. |
Q: How Many Weeks Will We Meet?
A: Our
accent modification courses are 16 weeks and 1 1/4 hours per session (20
hours). Experience has shown that it takes approximately four months to change
ingrained speech habits. |
Q: What Will We Actually Do Each Week?
A:
Each session will focus on a different English sound or speech pattern. You
will learn to identify and imitate sounds that you may not have noticed before.
You will learn how the mouth moves to produce each sound and how to imitate the
correct productions. More subtle issues such as stress, vowel length and
sentence intonation will be addressed and, with practice, become part of your
speech. |
Q: What is the Main Objective of This
Course?
A: Naturally, your native language influences your pronunciation
of English. The main objective of accent modification is to change your speech
habits to more closely match American speech patterns. In other words, the
targeted outcome is the correct production of the consonants, vowels and
intonation patterns of English in everyday speech. In a practical work
environment, this means you will be able to communicate thoughts and ideas more
effectively with less focus on how you are speaking and more focus on
what you are saying. |
Q: Will I Need to Practice?
A: Yes. Practice
is an essential part of this training and practice materials are provided.
Practice is important because you are training your mouth to move in a
different way -- it's a little like learning to play the piano or improving
your golf swing. You can not expect to change an old habit without practice
but, with practice, you will improve noticeably and gain confidence in your
speech. |
Q:How Can I Fit This Into My Busy
Schedule?
A: We will gladly travel to your place of business (within
Metro Detroit). We also maintain flexible schedules because we know that most
of our clients are executives, managers and engineers who have numerous other
commitments. As long as cancellations occur at least 24 hours before the next
class, we can reschedule without charge. |
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