1. How do the Skype sessions work? Do we meet live?
Skype video is used for all accent reduction coaching sessions. I meet you once a week for a full 75 minutes. During your Skype sessions I teach you specific techniques you can do to speak English more clearly. This includes the specialized vocabulary that you use in your job or area of research.
All sessions are recorded for you to listen and review during the week.
2. What kind of people have you worked with?
I’ve worked with professionals in the following fields; health care, IT, engineering, accounting, investing, higher education and government.
I now have a special American accent course for IT professionals.
I also work with International Toastmasters who want to reduce their accents in order to improve their public speaking skills. I am an active Toastmaster and I’m currently working towards my ACS award.
3. Can I really reduce my accent and how long will it take?
Most people will never sound like a native born English speaker. However, you can make changes to your current speech that will allow others to understand you much more easily!
The techniques that you learn in your course will make communicating in American English more enjoyable for you and for your listeners.
Most clients begin to hear English differently after their first coaching session. This is critical because listening is a KEY skill that you need to develop in order to change your accent.
In order to make significant changes with your accent, you must practice consistently after each session. I will provide you with plenty of practice exercises that you can use to practice.
4. How often do I need to practice?
After your initial consultation, we talk about your goals. Then I create 4-5 Accent Objectives for you to focus on. These Objectives describe the American English sounds and patterns you need to practice to achieve your goals,
You can access your Objectives and your weekly assignments on your computer, smartphone or tablet.
I send you an audio file and notes after each session so that you can review, make corrections and see your progress.
You must practice your words and phrases!
Daily practice will help your mouth and tongue develop the new ‘muscle memory’ that they need for you to articulate American English sounds and patterns correctly.
This will be uncomfortable for you at first, however…
The more you practice using the exercises you receive each week (with the correct feedback), the more you’ll improve. You simply must practice a sound or pattern over and over for it to become a habit.
You will not achieve the results you want if you wait until the day before your session to practice.
5. What happens when my coaching sessions are over?
At the end of the course you will be evaluated on everything you learned in the course. Then we will talk about the progress you have made and the steps you must take to continue to improve your American accent.
6. How much does accent reduction coaching cost?
Accent reduction coaching is more expensive than accent reduction classes. The results are well worth the cost.
Clients with a heavy accent are encouraged to sign up for 16 sessions. This can be completed over the course of several months. People with a lighter accent may prefer to take 8 sessions. You can click here to see my current packages and prices.
If you have other questions, send me an email message at asksusan@confidentvoice.com. I will be happy to answer any questions you have about my program or about your accent.
Finally, don’t forget to check to out my American English pronunciation and accent reduction blog or my OLD site, Accent Reduction Classroom, for some great free tips and techniques.
Thanks for taking time to read this! Let me know if I can help you in any way.
Susan Ryan, Accent Reduction Coach at ConfidentVoice
