Is Accent Modification Right for You?
Whether you’re a professor, a trainer/facilitator, a salesperson, a newscaster, a voice actor, a vocalist, a pastor…the list goes on. Your ability to get your message across is the most important aspect of your job. But, learning to communicate in a language (like English) as a non-native speaker can present challenges. Most challenges, however, can be overcome with a technique called Accent Modification.
A Florida-licensed, ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist offering telehealth speech therapy for adults across Florida — voice therapy, accent modification, stuttering, and aphasia support. Learn more about me.
One example of my work with Accent Modification therapy was when I was a grad student at East Stroudsburg University. I worked closely with a professor who taught there.
He expressed concern that although his students seemingly enjoyed his class, the consistent critique on the semester exit survey was that he was difficult to understand.
He worried his students were not getting the full benefit of the course materials.
Furthermore, he was up for tenure consideration, but was afraid the critique regarding his speaking clarity would prevent him from obtaining this goal.
As you’ve probably guessed, he was a non-native speaker of English: he was born in China.
Although his accent didn’t make him completely incomprehensible, there were elements of his speaking that made comprehension more difficult: even to a trained ear like mine.
But, after a semester together, while his communication wasn’t perfect and his accent still present, his clarity was much improved.
He also walked away from our sessions together with tools to carry over what he learned in therapy and apply to real-life situations in the classroom.
Let’s take a few moments to break down Accent Modification and how it may relate to you.
Accent Modification is a service you can ask for when you want or need help to change or modify your accent. It is NOT an attempt to completely erase your accent, identity, or remove you from your community.
As speech and language pathologists, we respect and appreciate that everyone has an accent. It’s part of what makes you special.
From my personal perspective, if a speech-language pathologist is seeking to or encouraging you to completely erase your accent, you may be working with the wrong person.
Yet, if you want help improving your clarity of speaking and overall success of communication, you have resources at your fingertips.
Accent modification assists anyone who is seeking to help improve overall clarity and success of communication when learning English as an additional language, whether it is your second, third, or tenth language.
While the list below is not exhaustive, if this sounds familiar, you may find that Accent Modification may be helpful to you:
These are just a few symptoms that might indicate that your accent might be something worth addressing through accent modification services.
As with any speech and language need, it is case-by-case: this is not a one size-fits all approach.
Specific areas addressed in Accent Modification sessions may include, but are not limited to:
How long you will require services is dependent on the person and situation. Want to learn more about how I can help you? I’d be delighted to set up a consultation with you! Learn more about speech therapy services that I offer, specifically what I offer to help those who are improving their English, and you can also see what I offer to organizations as well.
Thank you for reading and if you enjoyed this, please share it with a friend!
This is NOT medical advice. If you are experiencing chronic vocal dysfunction or pain, please seek the advice and treatment of a physician.
Accent modification is a personal decision — and there’s no pressure to figure it out alone. If you’re curious whether it’s right for your situation, the service page has the full picture, or you can book a free consultation and we’ll talk it through together.
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