Accent Reduction Training

WHAT IS ACCENT REDUCTION TRAINING?

Accent Reduction Training is a systematic method for changing speech patterns in the areas of specific sound production, clarity of pronunciation, voice production, and intonation and rhythm patterns.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ACCENT REDUCTION TRAINING?

A person who might seek out this kind of training benefits by having more effective speech patterns, increased intelligibility of speech, a greater understanding from his listeners, more career growth opportunities, improved self-confidence, as well as improved professional image.

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM ACCENT REDUCTION TRAINING?

People from all over the world come to the United States for a number of reasons. Success in American society vastly depends on the individual’s ability for clear and effective communication. Many people who come to this country, who speak English as a second language, have a strong mastery of the English language. Even so, many of these same people have difficulties with accurate pronunciation, have a lack of understanding of intonation and stress patterns, as well as a decreased knowledge of idiomatic expressions that greatly interfere with their ability to be understood or to comprehend what others are saying.

In the corporate world, clear and effective communication is extremely important to people who must converse with clients, make effective telephone calls, make presentations, etc..... A person’s communication skill level effects his own personal image, as well as his professional image. Barriers towards effective communication can have a direct correlation to company image, loss of business,  decreased productivity, and can prevent career advancement for the individual. Corporations realize that clear and effective communication skills translate directly into a better bottom line!!!!!

Here in the United States, the medical profession also has many physicians from around the world. It is very frustrating to the client who spends much money for a physician's expertise, and yet in his explanations, may not communicate effectively to his patient.

Examples of people who can benefit from accent reduction therepy include: medical doctors, reporters, broadcasters, public speakers, politicians, realtors, business executives, sales people, nurses, attorneys, receptionists, actors, telemarketers, among many other types of professions who must master the art of clear and effective communication to ensure success.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF ACCENT REDUCTION TRAINING?

The first step includes a comprehensive evaluation to identify the client’s trouble sounds in the English language, and to analyze the client’s stress and intonation patterns. Next, individualized and direct training, usually one session per week, to address the weaknesses noted in the evaluation. The client is given exercises to practice daily and a high commitment is necessary for success. The ultimate goal is for the client to effectively reduce the components of the accent that are interfering with listener comprehension, and effecting him professionally. Rate and degree of improvement will depend on individual factors, but those who attend faithfully and are committed to the practice exercises tend to do very well in improving the effectiveness in their overall communication skills. It is important to note that client’s will generally learn to “code switch.” This means they can turn their accent on and off. In Accent Reduction Training, it is emphasized that their accent is a part of them, and there will be times when they will want to use their accent. However, for professional purposes, if the accent is hindering the client from his highest potential, then he can use the accent reduction skills in the settings where there may be benefit to do so.

HOW MUCH DOES ACCENT REDUCTION TRAINING COST?

Fees for this service are based upon Private Practice Speech Pathology rates. Many corporate companies will pay full or partial payment for this service.

If you have questions regarding Accent Reduction Training, please contact:

Dawn Werts Philbin, MA/CCC/SLP and Dyslexia Specialist, Director of:
THE SPEECH LANGUAGE DYSLEXIA CLINIC, P.C.
Serving the Metro Des Moines area and Central Iowa region
Waukee, Iowa
(515) 987-6532
Email:

Copyright 2006-2008 Dawn Werts Philbin, MA/CCC/SLP, Waukee, Iowa

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