American Accent Speech Coach: What is Systematic Correction?

So what is Systematic Correction?

Systematic correction is a method by which a live coach corrects the learner 1-1, often with a recording, video or audio, for later practice and follows up. The term "systematic" refers to correct that are intentional and follow a logical sequence. They are typically based on a diagnostic that helps to identify what needs to change and the order in which the changes need to take place … this is key; otherwise, the changes are not likely to "stick" and transform the speaker.

What’s an Example of Systematic Correction in Action?

First, the speaker needs to give a speech sample for his/her Coach to analyze.So, let’s say the speaker’s native tongue is Oriya, a language of eastern Indian, but s/he also learned English in an English-medium school in India. This means the school delivered instruction in English (often British English) in most if not all subjects, not just English.

What Does This Tell Us?

• The client is likely to use lip rather than jaw articulation
• The client is likely to have upper chest and high breath patterns with holding
• The client is likely to have trouble distinguishing /s/ from /sh/ and

pronouncing the /ch/ sound as in "cheese," the /dz/ sound in "juge" or the /zhe/ sound in "usual" (unlike other speakers from India)

• The client is likely to have short, fast-paced speak with erratic pitch

How will His or Her Speech be Corrected?

• Breath patterns shift comes first with vowel elongation
• The /r/ sound should also come early and be exaggerated, coming from the jaw control-wise
• The /ch/ sound as in "cheese," the /dz/ sound in "juge" and the /zhe/ sound in "usual" should be taught early but also separately from /s/ and /z/ to help the client gain control.
• Each step of the way, the client should be recorded, and special attention should be paid to make sure the client can use enough muscle tension to maintain accuracy without overdoing it and sounding British. The specific sounds mentioned above need to corrected often and air flow should be the focus.

Note how specific this type of coaching is. It’s not random, and it’s not meant to amuse. In fact, it can be very challenging, and this is why it’s important for learners to have ways to engage, such as audio and video files to support their learning. This type of correction allows learners to monitor their progress and go from beginners to more advanced speakers in a relatively short period of time. Even if it takes longer for some learners, they will gain a sense of accomplish from having only as much correction as needed when it is needed incrementally throughout their improvement process.

English by the Hour

• English by the Hour" offers coaching services for executives and professionals in the American Accent and Speech improvement in general. Much progress can be achieved in 10 sessions and underlying needs are addressed as well as obvious ones. They also customize all of their materials, and provide thorough analyses of the issues.

Author Bio:

Rebecca Linquist is the American Accent Coach who founded English by the Hour in 1999. She works with her teams of coaches to provide systematic coaching to clients throughout the world in how to acquire the American Accent.For more information visit to:http://www.englishbythehour.com

Rebecca Linquist is the American accent coach who founded English by the Hour in 1999. She works with her teams of coaches to provide systematic coaching to clients throughout the world in how to acquire the American accent.