Learning how to sound like a native English speaker takes lots of time and effort, you can do it!
Did you know that one study revealed it can take around 30 years to speak English like an American?
If you’re ever feeling frustrated with your own progress, just know that you’re not alone. Although it requires hard work, it is possible to become fluent in any foreign language.
Are you struggling to learn how to get an American accent fast? Keep reading to learn more about the science behind language and why your native accent is hard to lose.
Human Brains Are Conditioned to Prefer One Language
Since speech has played an important role in human evolution, our brains are conditioned to master communication skills. As it turns out, the predominant language used at home has a huge impact on our development when we’re babies.
Did you know that babies show a preference for their native language at only six months old? By the time they turn one, they stop responding to foreign sounds altogether.
This selective learning may make mastering a foreign language challenging, but it helps us thrive in our surroundings as we grow up.
The fact that you’re even able to study a new language defies the hardwiring in your brain! This is an important reason why you should be patient with yourself while you try to speak with a new accent.
Native Languages Change the Way People Learn to Speak English Like an American
Depending on where you grew up in the world, different languages pose unique problems for ESL learners. Although your native country may share the same alphabet as English speakers, the way you were taught to pronounce those letters is different.
Teaching your mouth to make new sounds is difficult since humans are creatures of habit. Your brain protests pronouncing words in a way that’s different from how you’ve talked your whole life.
For example, people who speak Spanish have a hard time pronouncing the letter R without rolling their tongue. People who speak Chinese have a hard time changing their inflection. Once you identify the challenges that stem from your native language, you can work on correcting your pronunciation.
Being Self-Conscious Can Slow You Down
The last major factor that can make it hard to adopt an English accent is being self-conscious.
It’s normal to feel shy, especially if you’re surrounded by native speakers. You may fear that messing up may make you sound unintelligent. However, this fear can prevent you from getting valuable practice.
The best way to master a foreign language is to use it as often as possible. Embrace the fact that you’ll make plenty of mistakes along the way. Even native speakers make mistakes every day!
If you’re ever feeling doubtful, remind yourself that learning a new language is a special talent. Instead of feeling self-conscious, you should feel proud of yourself for taking on such a challenge.
Ready to Master Your American Accent?
Can you change your accent? Although you’ll face many struggles as you learn, you can fool everyone with enough practice.
If you want to speak English like an American faster, PronunciationPro can revolutionize your education. Learn more about our services to see how our methods are guaranteed to improve your English skills.
