Firstly you might want to decide if you want to go the accent softening route or the elocution route. For most non native speakers the accent softening route is more apt, and for most native English speakers the elocution route is more suitable. However, if in doubt, take a look at the chart below. Then refer to the questions within each area, to see if they are appropriate to you. If after answering these you are still unsure as to what is the right approach for you, then please do give us a call and we will be more than happy to help.

What is the best route for you?

Accent Softening
Our  Accent Softening courses are predominantly for non native English speakers who are fluent (or almost fluent) in English and feel restricted by their accent in some way.

It is suitable for you if you answer YES to two or more of the following:

• You need to give presentations or conference calls at work and sometimes feel held back by your accent
• You are sometimes asked to repeat yourself sometimes when talking with English colleagues or friends
• You are unsure how to pronounce certain words when you read them
• You feel that your intonation is not quite right and yet are unsure how to correct or improve it.
• You know your sounds are not all accurate, but are unsure exactly how to correct them
• You sometimes find it difficult to deliver a joke or find the right intonation for your meaning
• On occasion, people don’t understand you as quickly as you would like
• You find you are not as confident as you would like when speaking English
• You sometimes feel judged for your accent
• Sometimes it is difficult to understand other people
• You feel your accent sometimes gets in your way either professionally or socially

Elocution
Our  Elocution classes are for native English Speakers who experience difficulties with their communication.

It is suitable for you if you who answer YES to two or more of the following:

• you feel that some words and sounds strongly hold a regional accent and you want to know how to soften that so that you can be less placeable
• you don’t feel happy with your voice but are not sure how to change it
• you don’t feel happy with the way you speak but are unsure how to change it
• you have been accused of one of the following and you want to change it: being a mumbler./ sounding monotone/ lacking in clarity/ speaking too fast
• you feel that at work or when giving presentations, you find it difficult to hold peoples attention as you would like, and sometimes people switch off.
• you are a native English speaker
• you feel like you are sometimes judged for your accent

If none of the list above apply to you, but you are aware of having an accent or not feeling as confident as you would like when communicating, then please contact us and we will give you a free telephone assessment and tell you about our approach.