How it Works

Are you learning English and want to improve your speech? Are you fluent in English but would like to reduce a foreign accent? Are you a native speaker who would like to soften a regional dialect?

If any of these apply to you, we can help.

We offer individual and group instruction in accent reduction and American English pronunciation. Program options include personalized training programs and live Skype sessions. All services are provided by a master’s degree-level communication specialist and native speaker.

The Evaluation

Our evaluation is a thorough and specialized assessment of your speech, examining over 100 skills in American English pronunciation.

Evaluation Only
This option is available for speakers who would like detailed information about their particular accent without, or prior to, purchasing an instruction program.

Evaluation with Instruction
The evaluation is conducted so that we may design a program specific to your needs. Reassessment will be conducted at the end of our live instruction programs to measure progress, at no additional charge (for programs of 13-weeks or longer).

Instruction

We offer live individual and group instruction, as well as recorded training programs. All are personalized to your needs within the following areas:

· Intonation — the “rhythm” of speech which includes pitch changes and stress of syllables and words
· Articulation — pronunciation of consonant sounds and vowel sounds
· Liaisons — word connections
· Reductions — sounds that are reduced or omitted in American English

Included is our self-developed S.M.I.L.E.S. approach, which targets certain mouth postures, tips, and features of American English for easier and faster results.

Program materials are customized to you from more than 300 exercises.* 

In our live instruction programs, we also work on skills using words and phrases specific to your work and daily life.

Practice lessons are playable as a list from any device with the click of a button for easy practice.

A 24-week course is optimal (for moderate to strong accents) for greater improvement. Significant improvement can typically be seen in 13 weeks. Most clients notice improvement in a session or two.

The 6-Week “Short Course” is designed for individuals who want to learn how to change their accent but want to do more work independently or to resume sessions at a later date.

*Applicable for most foreign accents. Materials for regional accents may vary. Course materials will be individualized and supplemented as needed.