Q:
How does this program work?
A: Speak Easy accent modification training
teaches you how to recognize and produce the sounds and standard intonation patterns of American English through listening and changing your muscles and breath. You
practice with an instructor in an individual or group setting once per week, and
you practice at home for about 30 minutes a day. At the end of the course, most people see at
least a 50% change in their speech. Visit the method page
for more detailed information about the program.
Q: Will I lose my accent?
A: Everyone
speaks with some sort of an accent, and there is no such thing as the ideal
speaker of any language. Accent modification training teaches you how to change
your speech. Your accent will change, and people will be better able to
understand you.
Q: Will
I sound American?
A: Probably not. If this is your goal, it is something that you
can work on, but it will take more than one 14-session course. However, most
people who speak a second language have some traces of an accent even after lengthy study and practice.
Q: I am 72 years old; will this really work for me?
A: Absolutely. Only people who have hearing loss or a speech impediment would have difficulty retraining their accent. Any person who is a fluent speaker of English can learn to speak differently. If you have learned English, you can definitely learn a new way to speak it.
Q: How
much does the program cost?
A: The 15 week individual class (one hour per week, at a distance or in person) costs $2,000. The 15 week group class (two hours per week, in person only, maximum five people per group) costs $1,500 per person. These costs include speech analyses, all materials, and a detailed progress report.
Many employers will pay for this training as professional development. If you are self-paying, you can pay via cash, check, or charge, and, if you prefer, you may pay for the course in three installments. If you are a small-business owner, accent modification training can be claimed on your taxes as professional development.