Welcome back! Have you checked out my Accent Reduction classes yet? Non-native English speakers think that they should pronounce each word, sound and syllable clearly and distinctly but that’s not how spoken English works.
Americans use reduced vowels and speech when they talk. They do not say every sound and syllable clearly and distinctly.
Look at the [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Accent Reduction Techniques’
American English- Using Reduced Speech
American English Audio Lesson: The 2 Sounds of TH
Most non-native English speakers have problems articulating the two ‘th’ sounds that we use so frequently in in spoken American English.
Here is a link to a lesson on the 2 ‘th’ sounds. At the end of the lesson is an audio practice activity that you can use to practice.
American English Audio Lesson-The TH Sounds
If you [...]
Accent Reduction Techniques for Spanish Speakers
Spanish speakers frequently drop the consonant sounds at the ends of words. This can cause your speech to sound both accented and grammatically incorrect.
If you are a Spanish speaker, here is one technique you can use to reduce your accent.
Words in Spanish do not typically end in a consonant clusters but English words frequently do. [...]
Accent Reduction Coaching for Professionals
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 [...]
The Schwa + /r/ Sound
The schwa + r sound /ɚ/ is frequently a confusing feature of American English pronunciation.
In many situations when a vowel is followed by an /r/, only the /r/ sound is heard. The vowel sound isn’t really heard at all! This is called the schwa + r /ɚ/.
The letter combinations or, er, ur [...]
American English: Don’t Drop Word Final ‘ed’
I meet many non-native English speakers who have excellent grammar. However, they do not articulate word final consonant sounds strongly enough and this contributes to their accent.
One word final sound that many people fail to articulate is the past tense ed. Failing to pronounce the ed will definitely contribute to your accent!
Most of my students [...]
Accent Reduction Books & Audio Courses
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 [...]
American English Pronunciation: Words that Begin with Schwa
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 [...]
Thought Groups in Spoken English
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 [...]
Improve Your American English Pronunciation: Use Thought Groups to Slow Down Fast Speech
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 [...]
