How to Improve Your American Accent

Practicing sounds for the English language is key to developing a proper American accent.

Non-native speakers of the American English language have a particularly difficult time developing the proper accent. They have difficulty being understood and may even quit trying to learn the language altogether. Fortunately, with the right practice, accents may be successfully obtained. Developing an American accent involves knowing the proper sounds to pronounce each word.

Instructions

Instructions

1. Buy accent reduction software that teaches you how to pronounce American English words properly. Such software will include diagrams on how to position your mouth, tongue and lips to produce the proper sounds, just like a native speaker would. Books are also available, but software is recommended due to its interactive ability.

2. Speak slowly. Even if the pace of the words you are saying seems unnatural, you are at least taking the time to pronounce them correctly. Speed comes later, after you master word pronunciation.

3. Practice speaking in American English with a group of friends. Placing words in a normal context, outside predetermined sentences in a lesson, can help you learn how native speakers pronounce the words.This will also help you recognize any mistakes that you might have been making.

4. Ask your American friends to notify you when you are pronouncing a word incorrectly. Many friends will ignore your faults and never correct you just to be polite, but by letting them know that you need their help, you will be able to learn proper pronunciation during a normal conversation.

5. Read a newspaper or magazine article out loud. This will allow you put your accent reduction lessons into practice. This method is even more helpful when a friend listens to you and corrects you when you are pronouncing a word incorrectly.

6. Pick a sound to focus on each week, such as "th", "r" or "v". Non-native speakers have trouble enunciating certain sounds correctly. Native Spanish speakers, for example, typically have trouble pronouncing "j", "y" and "th"; native Japanese speakers have trouble with "v" and "b", "l", "r" and "th" sounds. Practicing these sounds will help develop an American English accent. Practice further by selecting sets of words that contain each sound.

7. Watch or listen to as much American English television and radio as you can. Listening to the American accent continuously will help you learn how to pronounce words correctly and how to place them in context.

References

• ESL Mania: Seven Tips to Improve Your Accent