Accent Modification

In today’s competitive world of business, it’s essential for employers and employees at every level to communicate clearly. NYSS will help you improve your production of Standard American English whether you are a foreign-born English speaker or native New Yorker who wants to eliminate your NY accent.

You should consider accent modification if:

Your accent has a negative effect on your professional or social success
People pay more attention to your accent than to what you say
Others have difficulty understanding you
You’re frequently asked to repeat yourself

Foreign Accent Modification

You will improve your pronunciation, intonation, accentkorean rhythm,and voice to communicate more effectively in American English. After completing our foreign accent reduction program, our clients report:

Greater confidence when speaking English in all settings
More job advancements
Increased effectiveness when communicating in professional and personal settings
A noticeable decrease in the number of times they need to repeat themselves to be understood

Our foreign accent modification program includes:

A comprehensive speech assessment by a licensed speech-language pathologist
An individualized program based on an analysis of your speech
A customized program with words and expressions that you use at work and at home
All program materials
Daily practice assignments to reinforce your newly acquired skills
A final assessment to measure your improvement
An online program to help you maintain your new skills upon completion of our program

We offer private instruction and small group classes in accent reduction. Private instruction is tailored to those who prefer the one-on-one setting with more individualized attention. Our small group classes are the most cost-effective option. Do you know a group of 2 or more individuals who would like to reduce their foreign accents? NYSS will arrange a special class schedule anytime during the year.

Regional Accent Modification accentpic2

A regional accent is a way of speaking that is specific to the area in which you live. The most popular regional dialects are the New Yawk (New York), Boston/New England, Southern and Mid-Western. Accents give our speech color and are reflections of the various cultures in our society.

However, regional dialects may cause prejudices and stereotypes in some situations. You should consider accent modification if your regional dialect interferes with your ability to communicate successfully in social or professional settings.

What is Standard American English (SAE)?
Standard American English (SAE) is a way of speaking which is identifiably American, but does not distract the listener with regional variations. It is the type of pronunciation that is most widely used and accepted by educated speakers across the country. Also called American Broadcaster English, SAE is used by the majority of radio and television personalities throughout the United States. NYSS will help you develop the speech patterns of Standard American English.

Our regional accent modification program includes:

A comprehensive speech assessment by a licensed speech-language pathologist
A customized program based on an analysis of your speech
All instructional materials
Daily practice exercises to reinforce your new speech patterns
A final assessment to measure your success

We also offer small group classes – for increased cost-effectiveness. In our group accent modification classes, we use the same methods as in our individual programs. The small group programs are substantially more cost-effective than individual instruction. If you know a group of individuals who would like to reduce their New York dialects, we will arrange a special class schedule any time during the year.