You feel like you have the English language mastered. But, sometimes you feel like others have trouble understanding exactly what you’re saying. You may not know if you need help with accent reduction.
Likely, this is due to the fact that you have a strong accent. An accent is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of- everyone who speaks a different language has one.
But, it can certainly be frustrating when you know you’re saying the right words but others just can’t seem to comprehend what you’re saying.
Luckily, there are accent reduction classes available that will help you sound closer to a native speaker.
If you’re not sure if an accent reduction class is right for you, keep reading. We’ve got the top 5 signs indicating you need help reducing your accent.
1. You Have To Keep Repeating Yourself
You’ve been studying English for a while, you have a thorough knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, and you can understand others pretty well when they speak.
But others understand you easily when you speak? Not so much.
If you want to be able to carry a conversation without having to repeat yourself multiple times throughout, an accent reduction specialist can help. These specialists can help you identify the speech and sound patterns that are causing the issue. This can make a significant difference in how easy it is for others to understand you.
2. Other People Finish Your Sentences
You know what you want to say in English conversation, but all of a sudden someone steps in and finishes your sentence for you. Or, you say a sentence, and right after someone rephrases it.
This may be because of an issue with your pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary. A specialist can help you figure out the problem and teach you to phrase your sentences more appropriately. This way, there will be no need for someone to finish your sentences again.
3. You Got Passed Over for a Job or Promotion
You know you have the right skills for a job or promotion, but for some reason, the position went to a less-qualified candidate.
Likely, the issue was that the person had better communication skills than you. And seeing as communication is one of the top skills employers look for, it makes sense why it went to the other candidate.
You need to be a top-level communicator, no matter how good you are at your job. A specialist can help you communicate more clearly in the English language in order to open more doors for your career.
4. You Struggle to Order at Restaurants
It would seem like ordering in a restaurant would be super simple, especially if all you want is a sandwich and coke. But for some reason, it’s always a struggle.
But restaurants are loud, the staff is often in a hurry, and there’s lots of new vocabulary as well.
A specialist can help you advance your pronunciation as well as familiarise you with specific restaurant lingo.
5. People Always Ask “Where Are You From?”
There’s no doubt that this question can get annoying, especially if you’ve been living in an English speaking country for quite some time.
While you don’t want to give up your home country’s culture, it’s nice to fit in in your new community.
A specialist can help you develop the pronunciation skills you need for the specific country you are living in. They can also familiarize you with local slang.
Accent Reduction Specialist: Wrap Up
We hope this article helps you realize the many benefits of hiring an accent reduction specialist.
They not only help with your pronunciation but your overall confidence in speaking English as well. For tips on acting confident while refining your accent, click here.