The journey to clear communication: Improve your accent

Communication is the expression of a message by speaking, writing, or signing. When a message is not expressed clearly, it can be misinterpreted. Clear communication means that the receiver of the message understands exactly what the sender is intending. It is essential for being understood, building relationships, and communicating efficiently.

For many Spanish speakers, having clear communication when speaking English can be an important step when it comes to achieving their goals, whether that be in their careers, their social lives or just not having to repeat themselves and being understood. The purpose of accent training is to help you feel confident and to communicate as effectively as possible—not to sound like a native speaker or erase your individuality. This in-depth guide will go over what accent training is, how it works, and how one-on-one coaching can help with clarity, confidence-building, and successful communication in both professional and social settings.

Accent training is personalized coaching that helps individuals who want to address specific communication challenges. It focuses on pronunciations, appropriate intonation, rhythm, timing, and stress patterns. It helps speakers identify which habitual features they take from Spanish and use while speaking English. The goal of accent training is not to sound like a native speaker, it is to help individuals communicate clearly and confidently. Accent training is flexible and personalized to meet each individual’s needs.

Accents are made up of substitutions; the sounds, rhythms, and intonations from a person’s native language or region that he or she uses when speaking English. If these substitutions are not what the listener expects to hear in English, the listener hears an accent (The accent channel). Accents are a normal part of any language and reflect the cultural diversity of speakers. No accent is better than another; they are all valid forms of expression.

Accents only become noteworthy if they begin to interfere with someone’s communication at work or in social settings. They may cause confusion or prevent someone from achieving their goals. Some people may also feel that there are preconceived notions about their accent, which can lead to biases and stereotypes. The choice to change the way we speak is up to each individual. They may want to improve their communication and avoid embarrassing speech mistakes.

After accent training, most accents become difficult to associate with any specific location; they begin to sound very neutral and unidentifiable. Speakers become easily understood, which boosts their confidence and allows them to communicate clearly and as effectively as possible.

Personalized accent training provides many advantages over apps and videos. It offers immediate feedback and allows the opportunity to correct mistakes instantly. It also helps the individual to recognize their personal challenges when communicating; not every Spanish speaker has to work on the same objectives during accent training. Unlike apps and videos, personalized training is tailored to each individual’s needs. Working with a speech trainer also ensures you are accountable and practicing consistently, which is important for progress. Immediate feedback from a speech trainer is much more effective and leads to better results.

The process of accent training begins with a speech assessment in order to identify the sound substitutions, rhythms, stress patterns, and intonations that are currently being used and would need to be replaced with those of the goal accent (General American English for example). Once the substitutions are identified, appropriate objectives can be set. It is important to note that new objectives may appear after the initial assessment as the speech trainer is constantly assessing their client as they work together. Each session targets a single objective and consists of a variety of tasks that are practiced multiple times. During these tasks, immediate feedback is given to help the client identify any substitutions and make the necessary corrections. In addition to these in-session practices, at-home tasks are assigned; it is crucial that the client practices consistently outside of sessions in order to make notable progress. Repetition is necessary for making adjustments in the accent, and frequent practice is required for permanent improvement. The goal of accent training is for the client to internalize the correct speech patterns and produce them fluently in a way that is easily understood by their listeners.

Each goal takes approximately one session to be taught. It is recommended to have one session a week, and normally takes between 12-15 sessions to work through each objective (depending on the number of objectives of each student, could be more, could be less). It is important that the student is practicing at home at least 15 minutes a day to make notable progress. After the completion of their program, the client will have the option of maintenance sessions if they would like to continue practicing with a speech coach.

To communicate clearly and confidently, we will focus on several key areas tailored to each client’s needs. We will address high-value sounds specific to English that are uncommon in Spanish and can lead to pronunciation difficulties. We will also work on rhythm and stress; English features vary in syllable length, some syllables are stressed and longer, while Spanish syllables are generally given equal time. Additionally, we will focus on vocabulary, predominantly common words used in daily life that are often mispronounced. We will use targeted exercises and practice to improve pronunciation, rhythm, and vocabulary, which will enhance overall communication skills.

Taking action to overcome communication challenges is an important step towards personal and professional development. Accent training is a powerful tool that can help you achieve effective and clear communication. It can help boost your confidence and enhance your interactions in all areas of life. Working with a speech trainer provides you with personalized guidance and support, and ensures that you reach your goals more effectively than through self-study tools alone.

I am Jarrisvette Villarreal, originally from South Texas. I have been living in Spain for several years, where I have worked as an English teacher and have taught young Spanish speakers. Through my experience, I have become familiar with the common mispronunciations and typical mistakes Spanish speakers make when speaking English. In addition to teaching, I have experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, working with children on articulation through speech therapy. I have also completed a specialized training in accent coaching through “The accent channel”, which has equipped me with the skills to provide personalized accent training. I have also worked diligently to achieve a neutral English accent; I understand the challenges and preconceived notions about having an accent. I am passionate about teaching pronunciation and excited to help others reach their communication goal.