| When learning English as a second language, many | | | | your enunciation, as well. This doesn't mean that you |
| students feel that they have failed if they don`t speak | | | | need to get rid of your accent, only that you need to |
| it flawlessly and without an accent. The simple truth is, | | | | speak clearly so everyone will understand what you |
| however, that the majority of ESL students will not be | | | | have said... this is something that many native English |
| able to completely get rid of their accent in English | | | | speakers also have problems with. |
| without many years of hard work. If you are able to | | | | Increase your vocabulary. It`s far easier to express |
| speak clearly and have others understand you, then | | | | yourself if you know what words to use. This basically |
| there is absolutely nothing wrong with having an | | | | means you need to do a lot of studying and reading. |
| accent. | | | | Watching movies and television shows in |
| What IS Important | | | | English can also help with building vocabulary, as well |
| Being able to speak like a native doesn't necessarily | | | | as improving your accent. Speaking with others is |
| mean that you'll be accent free. In fact, your accent | | | | another method of learning new words, as long as you |
| could be just what you need to set your voice apart | | | | are with someone you feel comfortable asking the |
| from millions of others. But there are a few things that | | | | definition from. Otherwise, get in the practice of |
| you do need to know if you are serious about | | | | carrying a small pocket dictionary with you. |
| speaking the language well. | | | | Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the |
| Avoid common mispronunciations. This varies | | | | better you`ll get at speaking English. That means |
| depending on your mother tongue, but most people | | | | striking up conversations with strangers, calling up |
| have some set pronunciations that can cause | | | | friends on the phone to speak English (phones can be |
| problems in English. For example, most adult Asians | | | | difficult, but are excellent practice for speaking clearly), |
| pronounce the letter "r" as "l". Spanish speakers will | | | | and getting in as much conversation time as possible. |
| usually say "b" for the letter "v". If you know what your | | | | Many English students even hire someone to converse |
| particular mispronunciations are, you can be conscious | | | | with them, but you should be able to find plenty of |
| of them and make a real effort not to say these | | | | people who are happy to just have a conversation. |
| sounds wrong. This will make your English far more | | | | If you really do wish to reduce your accent, then there |
| understandable. Children will have less of a problem | | | | are specialists who help people with this. A speech |
| with this than adults. | | | | therapist will be able to help you move your mouth |
| Enunciate. In your rush to speak English like a native, | | | | differently than you are accustomed to and help you |
| you may try to speed up, but this can make it hard for | | | | correct the more common pronunciation problems so |
| people to understand you. Slow down a little and make | | | | that you will be able to speak more like a native |
| sure you say each word clearly and there will be far | | | | speaker. |
| less chance of misunderstanding. You can practice | | | | |