Are you worried about your accent and need help reducing it? The good news is that reducing your foreign accent and improving the clarity of the English language is easily achievable.
While having an accent is not something to be ashamed of, there are a couple of reasons you may want to soften it. Some people may want to reduce their accents to improve their articulation or pronunciation skills. Others work on their accents to better their performance in the English language or to be easier to understand.
Whatever your reasons, here are a few things you can do to soften your accent and become a more confident speaker.
Improve Your Listening Skills
The first step to learning English is improving your listening skills. Listening helps you hear how words are pronounced and spelled. Generally, English has several varieties: American English, Australian English, and British English. Choose which one is best for you and work towards improving your native English accent.
While learning English, listen to audiobooks, podcasts, YouTube videos, and radio programs. You can also listen to native speakers to hear how they pronounce vowels and consonants in their accents.
Listen for Sound, Not for Meaning
Working on your listening skills should be at the heart of your learning practice. Listen effectively and allow yourself to feel the rhythm of the sounds. Then practice your rhythm and learn where to place stress, comma, or a period in a sentence.
Remember that practice makes perfect, so do this often without necessarily worrying about the meaning of the sounds or words. Listen to native English speakers or listen to the radio or watch TV programs to get an idea of the sounds of your accent.
Record Your Voice and Listen to It
Select a short passage from any resource and record it on your smartphone or other recording devices. Then play the passage back to yourself to hear how it sounds. This practice can help improve the clarity of your words and pronunciation of the English language.
Recording yourself when speaking English is an effective accent reduction technique that works better when combined with other practice activities, such as reading aloud or emphasising specific sounds.
Get a Coach
Hiring a coach is the surest way to reduce your heavy accent. An accent reduction coach specialising in rhythm, intonation, and pronunciation can develop a customised plan to help you lose your accent. You can work with a tutor online or in person, depending on your needs and requirements.
Contact Pronunciation School
Pronunciation School offers the most effective accent reduction classes you can utilise to reduce your accent and improve your clarity of English pronunciation. We provide positive feedback to help you refine specific areas of your speech so you can speak effortlessly like a native English speaker. Schedule a free accent assessment to get started.