|
|
| Subject: How to change my English ?? |
|
|
|
I am looking to make career in business consulting but I feel my english accent is a barrier
I speak good english but I have Indian accent which is good but does work if you want to grow and compete in this society
I know for many professions english accent does not matter but for mine, probably it does
where can I start , I know changing accent can be difficult, are there any resources for this
[23-07-2008,02:25]
[**.255.8.242]
ANON |
|
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
Stop speaking and keep writing.
[23-07-2008,04:11]
[***.29.114.6]
Anonymous |
jjjjjj (in reply to: How to change my English ??)
jjjjjjjjjj
[23-07-2008,04:42]
[***.71.162.174]
tahir |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
Hi Anon... yes, there are ways... I don´t know any websites but I am sure there are some out there where you can practise your pronunciation... do a google search I am sure you will find something...
Another thing that will help a lot is to hang out with people whose native language is English as much as possible... you will have a chance to hear them talk and learn slang and common expressions... don´t be shy to copy their way of talking, that´s the point...
Try to stay away from watching tv or listening to the radio in your native language... try the English speaking versions instead... and read... reading will expand your vocabulary as well... always have a dictionary (English-English) handy...
There are excellent dictionaries available in the market... buy you a good one if possible one with a CD included... that way you can use the dictionary in your computer and these CDs most of the time also allow you listen to the pronunciation as well... mine gives me both British and American pronunciation... Cambrige Advanced Learner´s Dictionary is the one I got...
The things I mentioned above can all be done without spending any money...
If you are able to do so, you could also enroll in a pronunciation class in a good English Language Institution such as Berlitz... it is expensive but you will get personalized lessons and the teachers will be able to pin point your problems and offer you ways to correct them.. they usually have special techniques such as looking at yourself in a mirror while you talk so you can see the way your lips and tongue move... I know its weird but it works...
[23-07-2008,06:35]
[***.229.236.245]
Lily |
accent reduction (in reply to: How to change my English ??)
Take accent reduction classes. Listen to native speakers carefully and imitate them. Here are the links to some classes:
http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/ce/north-shore/languages/accent-reduction.html
Look for this CD by Andy Krieger http://www.overseasemployment.ca/ESL_lose_your_accent.htm
[23-07-2008,15:23]
[**.157.136.53]
Sophie |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
in Vancouver, we have ESL classes offered by the school board. some of them are specific towards accent reduction.
Not too many Canadians out there that do not speak with some form of accent. We are quite used to hearing it.
[23-07-2008,16:41]
[***.20.92.250]
Sharon |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
Stay away from Newfoundland.
Cheers
Bill
[23-07-2008,17:42]
[***.34.111.122]
Bill |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
does anyone know if there is any good accent reduction class in calgary?
sophie, i called the author of the CD, he said he did not have any left, any other useful suggestion?
Anonymous
[23-07-2008,23:23]
[***.91.103.13]
anonymous |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
Accent reduction is not considered a good approach by many professionals (at least in the U.S.). It tends to diminish the value of cultural identity and diversity at the expense of everyone sounding the same, i.e., Canadian British. As long as the foreign speaker can be readily understood, there is no need to try to eliminate an accent. At least that´s the current thinking.
[23-07-2008,23:30]
[**.47.173.225]
Richard |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
I understand that the trend might be to keep your cultural identity... but having a very strong accent can affect your confidence especially in a job interview scenario or workplace... so, I think it is a good idea to try to improve the way you sound so everyone can easily understand what you are trying to say...
[24-07-2008,14:05]
[***.229.242.52]
Lily |
(in reply to: How to change my English ??)
unless you are teaching english or announcing the news... Canadians are more than ready to wade through an accent. As Lily and Richard have stated, being understood is more critical than having generic speech patters. That said, hang out with your Canadian friends and practice, practice, practice.
tell you a secret... those Indian telemarketers that take classes to erase accents so people do not know where they are calling from - it does not work. I can tell in a heartbeat.
My guy has been learning english from me for 6 years. He is Arabic. We talk twice a day. As hard as he tries (and he is a linguist as well as extremely intelligent) he cannot wrap his mouth around certain sounds. A clear ´s´ for him is almost impossible. He will always say some words differently and guess what - nobody cares.
All Canadian employers are looking for is an effort to be understood.
[24-07-2008,14:17]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
