Hi there,

 

I was wondering if any of you can point me in the direction of some accent reduction exercises or techniques? 

 

I have a friend, who speaks English like a native, except, of course, he has an accent. Now, he would like to reduce his accent and sound less like a foreigner.

So any ideas are welcome! 

 

Thanks!

 

Linda 

Hi Linda,

 

I have been told that theater lessons are of a great help. The way of speaking distinctly when on stage is particular.

 

Why doesn �t your friend try to speak an English play with slangless English ? for example of course. Not classic like Shakespeare because too old, but after all why not ?

 

He can try to register himself like if he was reading for blind people and try to auto-correct himself trying to emphasize, in a first attempt, the passages he thinks too "accentuated". Or he can listen to some reports and register them on his own, then compare.

 

Just some ideas like that. But I was told several times about the theater lessons ! Why not ?

 

Hugs.

 

Maryse.

Hi Maryse,

 

You read my mind about the theatre !!!! I thought the very same thing, however, he runs a business, already works 18 hour days, weekends included, (he even gave up playing in band because he just hadn �t the time anymore to do it).  While I �ll mention it to him, I think he wants something he can do at home or on the way to work or a meeting. (I know, it sounds crazy.) I do have a few ideas involving listening to the proper pronunciation online, (howjsay.com is a great site), repeating, and later recording yourself - and most importantly, his wife needs to be the judge of what he sounds like cause, we as human beings, never really think we sound a certain way - or in his case, he �s a perfectionist and won �t think he �s improving when he is.

 

I was hoping somebody might add a few ideas to my crazy one.  

Hi Zora,

 

I strongly agree with your idea of listening and repeating. Here are a couple of websites to add to your list.

 

ElementalEnglish  & Rachel �s English

 

kwsp 

Thanks kwsp,

 

I �ll certainly add them to my list. The more variety, the better. 

 

Linda 

These look good too. He can practice in front of a mirror! 

 

Star Pronunciation - Clear English Tip #2. Mouth Movements in English

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfZscA9V6nU