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

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.

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

American English Audio Lesson: The 2 Sounds of TH

susan — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 22:00:47 +0000

One problem that many or most non-native English speakers face in speaking American English is how to make the two sounds of ‘th’.

Here is a link to a lesson on these two very common sounds. At the end of the lesson is an audio practice activity for you to use.
American English Audio Lesson-The TH Sounds

If you like the lesson, be sure to sign up for my free four week accent reduction course on the page. This is a free introductory course with no obligations!

Syllable Stress Patterns: Compound Words

susan — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:31:07 +0000

Those of you who read my blog frequently know that using syllable stress correctly is one of the very best ways to improve your comprehensibility when you speak English. That said, here are a few syllable stress patterns for compound words that you may find useful.

Compound nouns are stressed on the first word in the compound.

bedroom
someone

Compound verbs are stressed on the second word in the compound.

outsmart
overdue

In compound adjectives the stress is on the second part of the compound.

bad-tempered
old-fashioned

Hyphenated compound words often have short words in the middle. Some of these are stressed on the first part of the compound such as:

mother-in-law
free-for-all

Click here to read more about syllable stress in American English.

American English Pronunciation Tip-Don’t Drop Word Final Sounds!

susan — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:44:33 +0000

Many non-native English speakers tend to drop word final consonants such as the S sounds in words such as: boys, washes and stops.

When you do this it contributes to your accent and it creates grammatical errors that will confuse your listeners.

Keep in mind that word final S has 3 sounds in spoken English. In the word boys the s has a /z/ sound. In the word washes the s has a /ez/ sound. In the word stops the s has a regular /s/ sound.

Click here to see a nice chart on the rules and sounds of word final S.