How can I speak without an accent?

[smalluser]

Hi
I am a former ESL student, now a ESL teacher. I found this site through Google, I just wanted to ask a question, maybe you guys know. I know English very well, probably at the level of a native speaker. However, I don't like the way I talk. I have a foreign accent and any time I talk, everybody know that I am not American. Even when pick up the phone, as soon as I say "Hello?" they know. I have seen accent elimination classes being offered in my area, do they really help, or are they scams? or do you think I should stop worrying about this and just get my confidence up? I don't know if this is a confidence problem or I should really try to talk with an american accent, but all I can tell you is I don't like the way I talk.

[becki]

There are so many English speakers in the world that I wouldn't worry about your accent. For example, would you want your accent to be British, American, or Australian? Everyone speaks slightly different. Just speak clearly and be confident in your speech.

If you are really worried, you can try a one-on-one lesson with an experienced teacher in your area. They could help train you in accent reduction. If you are interested in American English, there is an excellent self-study guide titled, American Accent Training by Ann Cook.

All the best!
http://www.eflsensei.com

[Syl]

I second my colleagues' replies, no reason to feel the way you do about your accent. I myself am a Brazilian and many English natives recognize my accent immediately! :D

What I do to improve mine, just for the sake of being understood and pronouncing correctly so that people don't misunderstand me, is this:

- I listen to lots of recorded lectures, which I find in the web, some of them even in YouTube;
- I speak to English natives all the time to a point in which I subconsciously absorb the accent;
- I frequently watch movies without translations in order to force myself to listen to what is being said and also absorb the accent;
These and any other way through which one can be exposed to the native spoken language is a blast. Even songs! Listen to them and sing along.. use YouTube, too!

By the way, I strongly recommend these suggestions when teaching English. Expose the students as much as possible to natural, original, native language. The use of recordings in class is a must.

I hope it helps. :)

Syl

Syl's English Corner - Learn English and Have Fun
http://www.ginnegar.0catch.com

[esgaleth]

Hi
I am a former ESL student, now a ESL teacher.... I don't like the way I talk... I don't know if this is a confidence problem or I should really try to talk with an american accent, but all I can tell you is I don't like the way I talk.

Logically, simply start speaking the way you like it and you'll gain a lot of confidence. Unfortunately, it's easier said than done since through so many years we naturally acquire a certain pronunciation habit. As with any error management, it usually takes a lot of time and effort to iron out all 'inaccuracies', so anything of what has been suggested here would help. But, why not look on the bright side?

Learning is said to happen when students are involved and that's how we can teach ourselves - through teaching others. Speaking from my own experience, my own accent improved substantially when I had to teach pronunciation because it all eventually comes down to hours and hours of drilling. With so many phonetic courses available today, you can choose any model you like. Simply incorporate phonetics into your daily lessons and you'll be surprised by the profound effect. Needless to say, your students could improve their pronunciation skills as well.

[hkenglishtutor]

I agree with the previous answers.

I work in Hong Kong and many English teachers here are non-native speakers. There is a premium on lessons given by native speakers so many of our local Chinese teachers have taken Pronunciation & Accent Reduction Courses themselves. By doing so they have also learnt to teach pronunciation more effectively as well.

Give it a try - the cost is minimal compared with other forms of training.

Ian

http://www.hkenglishtutors.com

[Alfredz]

For most of us the accent does not mater. For me it is also but what does matter is what you are trying to conveying to others is understandable easily and meaningfully. English has become the universal language and every one speaks it with in their own way so you should also do this, Just mind it that be yourself.

[Alfredz]

For most of us the accent does not mater. For me it is also but what does matter is what you are trying to conveying to others is understandable easily and meaningfully. English has become the universal language and every one speaks it with in their own way so you should also do this, Just mind it that be yourself.

Be confident what you are and what you know.

TAA certificate iv

[peterz]

Hi
I am a former ESL student, now a ESL teacher. I found this site through Google, I just wanted to ask a question, maybe you guys know. I know English very well, probably at the level of a native speaker. However, I don't like the way I talk. I have a foreign accent and any time I talk, everybody know that I am not American. Even when pick up the phone, as soon as I say "Hello?" they know. I have seen accent elimination classes being offered in my area, do they really help, or are they scams? or do you think I should stop worrying about this and just get my confidence up? I don't know if this is a confidence problem or I should really try to talk with an american accent, but all I can tell you is I don't like the way I talk.

Just be confident in what you speak.The more you speak the more you will get confident.So dont shy speaking in public place.

[Olcha]

I personally think that getting rid of an accent is impossible without living long enough in the country where the language you want to speak perfectly is dominant. I believe that the problem of the accent is somewhat exaggerated. There are millions people speaking English with accent and having no problem with understanding each other. English being an international language today, we learn it to be able to communicate with people from almost any country of the world, and the accent, unless it is really bad, is never a serious obstacle in communication. So why be so much obsessed with speaking English without accent?


Olga

http://english4kids-step-by-step.blogspot.com