Why Accent Reduction is Important for Today’s Business People

Accent reduction is the art of teaching people how to speak without a strong accent. It works for all kinds of accents. The goal is to help the person speak clearly and be easily understood.

Speech coaches who teach accent reduction work on pronunciation and teach the differences between how the person currently pronounces certain sounds with the desirable pronunciation. An accent reduction coach helps the student learn how to change the way they use their mouth, tongue and teeth to form consonants and vowels for clearer intonation.

Types of Coaching

Two different versions of coaching for accent reduction are used. With the one, the person learns to say specific phrases and sentences more clearly. They aren’t actually taught to change their overall pronunciation. This is most often seen with customer service representatives or telemarketers who read from scripts.

The second version is where the coach teaches the person to change how they speak in all situations. They learn a new method of pronunciation which alters their everyday conversation. This style of coaching is most often used for business people who must speak clearly when meeting people face-to-face or on the phone.

The Benefits of Accent Reduction

Working with a coach to reduce an accent has many benefits. First, it allows the person to be understood and avoid miscommunication. A heavy accent can cause people to misinterpret instructions which can have far-reaching and devastating effects.

Another benefit for people who take accent reduction classes is they will avoid the unfortunate stereotypes which often accompany those who aren’t native English speakers. Critics may label someone with a strong accent as an outsider or less intelligent even if the assumption isn’t true. Being stereotyped can prevent the person from getting hired on at certain jobs. While this may not be accurate assessment of the person’s capabilities, it is what others perceive and it can limit their opportunities.

Reducing one’s accent to become well-spoken can enhance the person’s opportunities. If they are clearly understood and have strong communication skills, a person can advance to management and other career choices.

Many careers require a person to communicate with others, either as a manager in a one-to-one situation or as a speaker in front of a group. Being able to communicate effectively is a required skill for these jobs, and part of being effective is being understood.

As companies expand globally, they will work with people in various parts of the world. Reducing one’s accent can make it easier to be understood regardless of where they are from. These meetings may be conducted over the phone or online, which can make understanding someone even more difficult.

Clear speech without a strong accent can help a person in many business endeavors. To achieve this goal of being understood when you speak is possible with the help of a speech reduction coach. This professional can teach you to enunciate your words and pronounce sounds in a way that is easily understood, giving you more opportunities in the business world.

Claudette Roche is a dialect coach who teaches accent reduction in the Los Angeles area. She teaches foreign and American accents to actors and business persons/executives. In 2010 she was named as one of The Top 5 Voice Coaches by Hollywood Weekly Magazine.

Claudette Roche is a dialect coach who teaches accent coach.