Adults' Accent Reduction

Is your career being held back because:

Some find your accent is too strong and have difficulty understanding you?

You lack confidence in Spoken English?

Your presentations are ineffective?

Many of us have acquired the way that we speak and have received no formal instruction in speech or voice. We speak in a manner similar to those around us – complete with errors in both diction and style. We may be unaware of the faults in our voice until these are pointed out to us. This can lead to lack of confidence.

A clear speaking voice and correct pronunciation are vital in today’s modern world. Confidence in spoken communication is important for those seeking rapid career progression.

We offer high quality tuition in all aspects of speech and communication. Every aspect of speech is taught:

Correct pronunciation

Vocabulary building

Accent reduction

Correct breathing

Public Speaking    

Essentially, the lessons will address the following specific points concerning speech: correct vowel pronunciation, correct consonant pronunciation and modulation. Modulation refers to the pitch, pace and pauses of speech. Together these form the very basis of good speech.

All clients are given lessons notes and are instructed in a range of vocal exercises designed to improve aspects of speech.          

Lessons can be ‘tailor-made’ to suit your own requirements.

What is accent reduction?

There is a wide range of accents spoken in the UK. Some of these accents have an almost universal appeal and are considered pleasant or even desirable: Welsh, Somerset and the ‘Home Counties’ accents. However, some accents are viewed rather differently – with the speakers of such accents being unfairly judged by the way that they speak. For example, those with a broad Birmingham accent - or ‘Brummie’ accent - are often considered dull and boring and lacking in authority.

Few of us are actually taught to speak in a formal setting; we acquire our speech and use of language from those around us – picking up the faults along the way. Most of the time we are unaware of our accents, until we move to another area. Suddenly, we find people judging us on the way we sound.

Accent reduction is the process by which the three pillars of speech and language are ‘re-learnt’. The three pillars are:

Vowels

Consonants

Modulation

Accents can be defined in these three ways and so it follows that if we learn the correct way of pronouncing vowels, consonants and how these relate to modulation, then our accent will change.

Rather than replace your accent, accent reduction offers you the choice of a new way of speaking. It is entirely up to you whether you replace your accent fully, or prefer to keep some features whilst softening other features.

How long will it take to reduce my accent?

As you will appreciate, this can vary depending upon the client. It is important to follow the exercises and attend the sessions regularly if you are going to achieve your goal. As a guide, most clients have 6-8 sessions which gives sufficient understanding and insight to bring about the change themselves through constant practise.

Email now to arrange your ZOOM sessions.