American English Pronunciation Blog » Accent Reduction Techniques

Accent Reduction Books & Audio Courses

susan — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:00:49 +0000

Students who are really motivated to improve the way they speak English should invest in some training. One way to do this is to buy an Accent Reduction or American English pronunciation book with CD’s. There are several books with CD’s that are very affordable.

Here are some of the most popular choices:

1. For people who have never taken an accent reduction or pronunciation class before but read and write English well I recommend Mastering the American Accent.

2. For people who have studied pronunciation before and need to focus on intonation I recommend American Accent Training.

3. People who like audio courses with very detailed descriptions of American English sounds should take a look at Best Accent Training.

Click here to read detailed descriptions and reviews of these accent reduction books and audio courses.

Using books and CDs is a very affordable way for you to improve the way you speak American English!

If you are serious about improving your accent these resources are well worth the small investment.

Feel free to send me an email to ask more about these books and audio courses. I’d be happy to answer your questions!

American English Pronunciation: Words that Begin with Schwa

susan — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:38:18 +0000

This week I received LOTS of questions about the schwa vowel sound. Let me explain a few things about this KEY American English vowel sound.

In spoken English the schwa (see the image above) is the relaxed vowel sound that is frequently used to articulate the vowel sounds in unstressed syllables. Click here to read about syllable stress.

The schwa sound is made with your tongue in a relaxed position in the center of your mouth. It sounds like “uh”.

Any vowel can sound like a schwa when it occurs in an unstressed syllable.

Here a a few words that begin with the schwa vowel sound. Since the first syllable in these words is unstressed, the vowel sound is a schwa.

allow
ahead
around

economy
evaluate
erase

obtain
object
offend

undo
unlock
understand

The schwa sound is the most common vowel sound in English. Pronouncing this vowel correctly will help you improve the way you communicate with American English listeners.

Thought Groups in Spoken English

susan — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:24 +0000

When Americans speak they divide longer sentences into sections called thought groups. In each thought group we emphasize the focus word and then briefly pause before the next thought group begins.

Many non-native English speakers have never learned to use thought groups when they speak English. For some people this causes their speech too sound too fast for American listeners to understand. For other people the lack of thought groups causes their speech to sound very choppy to American listeners.

There are no solid rules for dividing longer sentences into thought groups. It really depends on the idea that you are trying to convey.

You will learn all about thought groups in spoken English in Judy Gilbert’s book, Clear Speech from the Start

My Articles on American English Pronunciation & Accent Reduction

susan — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:29:43 +0000

If you are one of my readers who likes lots of information I write many articles on American English pronunciation and accent reduction. You can click on the logo here to see and read these articles. ENJOY!

Accent Reduction Coaching for Students & Professionals

susan — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:38:41 +0000

Do you speak English with a foreign accent? If you do, you may have found that native English speakers find it difficult to understand you. Even though your grammar and writing are excellent, your accent may be preventing you from making progress; getting the best job, getting a promotion or even making new friends.

The most effective way for you to reduce your accent and improve the way you speak American English is to work with an accent reduction coach. That’s because accent reduction coaching is very personal. The sessions are customized to meet your specific needs.

I am currently offering online accent reduction coaching at excellent summertime rates. All sessions are done face to face using Skype video, a very convenient and private way for you to learn.

If you sign up during the month of July I will send you the Mastering the American Accent with Audio CDs for free. The cost is $200 US dollars for 4 one hour sessions.

Coaching is the best option for serious students who really want to improve. That’s because you WILL have to practice a lot after each session.

Click here Accent Reduction Coaching to read the details. These rates will not be available in the fall so get started now!

Improve Your American English Pronunciation: Use Thought Groups to Slow Down Fast Speech

susan — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:00:18 +0000

When Americans speak they divide longer sentences into phrases called “thought groups”.

Within each thought group we emphasize the content words, giving special stress to the focus word. After the focus word we pause briefly before the next thought group begins.

Many non-native English speakers fail to use thought groups when they speak English. For many people this causes their speech too sound too fast for American listeners to understand.

There are no solid rules for dividing longer sentences into thought groups. It really depends on the idea that you are trying to convey.

Here is a great lesson on thought groups in American English from the Voice of America.

Get an Accent Assessment and a Free Summer Bonus

susan — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:27:47 +0000

Do you wonder why your American colleagues and friends don’t always understand you when you speak English? Are you frustrated that people continually ask you to slow down or repeat what you said?

It’s time to stop struggling! Find out why your American English pronunciation is causing you problems by getting a personalized accent assessment.

Here are three reasons you should get an Accent Assessment:

You will learn WHY American English speakers don’t understand you.
You will be learn specific techniques you can use to address your pronunciation problems.
You will receive lessons & resources you can use to study and improve your pronunciation.

Sign up for an Accent Assessment during the month of July and I will give you access to my Accent Reduction Essentials Video Course for FREE.

Click on the link above to sign up or find out more.

The Most Common Sound in Spoken English

susan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:09:17 +0000

Linguistic research indicates that the most common sound in spoken English is the schwa vowel sound. This is because native English speakers pronounce the vowels in most reduced syllables with the schwa sound. The phonetic symbol for schwa is /ə/.

Here is an example. When I say my name, Susan, the first syllable is stressed so the vowel has a long high sound. The second syllable is reduced so the vowel has a schwa (uh) sound. Spelling using phonetic symbols my name would look like: ‘su:-zən.

The most commonly spoken English word is the and it is frequently mispronounced by non-native speakers because it starts with the troublesome voiced th sound. The phonetic symbol for the voiced th is /ð/. Using phonetic symbols it would look like ðə.

You simply must learn to use the schwa vowel sound in order to reduce your accent!

One accent training book that provides lots of lessons on the schwa vowel sound is Mastering the American Accent. You can see the details and reviews at this link.
Mastering the American Accent with Audio CDs

American English Pronunciation: Linking and Liasons

susan — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:00:38 +0000

Linking happens in every English sentence. We connect two words together when the first word ends in a vowel sound and the next word begins with the same vowel sound.
that table sounds like thattable
next time sounds like nexttime

We also connect words when the first word ends with a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound.
about it sounds like aboudit
passed out sounds like passdout

If you use liaisons like native speakers do your speech will sound smoother and less choppy to American listeners.

Ann Cook’s book American Accent Training does an excellent job of teaching you to use linking to improve your accent.

Here is some more information about how to improve your American English pronunciation using linking or liaisons.
Liaisons in American English

Reduced Speech in American Spoken English

susan — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:00:26 +0000

I get a lot of questions from people about the reduced speech forms that they hear when they listen to American English conversations. Examples include: gonna, wanna and hafta.

Here is a link to Nina Weinstein’s Voice of America episode on reduced speech. Nina is the author of the book Whaddaya Say. You can see the book by clicking on the link below.
Whaddaya Say? Guided Practice in Relaxed Speech, Second Edition