In the present global workforce, clear and concise speech is an important element of success. Language and communication barriers hinder individuals from achieving both their professional and personal goals. Furthermore, it blocks companies from achieving leadership and productivity levels that they desire (Borodin 31). As a result, accent reduction programs are designed to help individuals from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds to speak English with precision and clarity.
The regional variations in English persist in America, despite the belief that print and media firms are championing for homogeneous English programs (Lippi-Green 27). An accent is used in distinguishing intonation in sentences or stress in words. According to Lippi-Green, an accent can be adjusted to a certain degree through focused training (51).
Non-accent is a myth that exists only as an idea (Lippi-Green 44). Accent-reduction encompasses accent neutralization and modification through a systematic approach that involves adopting or learning a new accent. The accent reduction programs seek to address issues such as intonation, speed, phrasing, and stress that affects the quality of one’s English. Moreover, the programs seek to mould learners that are capable of speaking English confidently.
In most instances, online accent reduction programs are designed to help people who are proficient in various aspects of English, such as vocabulary, reading, and comprehension, but have issues with pronunciation errors and accents. The programs encompass the diagnostic evaluation of a person’s spoken language. Besides, it helps students to learn the vowels, consonants, trick clusters, and diphthongs.
Accent reduction programs involve the identification of deviations in an individual’s speech patterns from the desired accent. The programs use approaches that help individuals to modify their speech in order to speak English in a precise and clear manner. The overall outcomes of accent reduction programs are to improve speaking clarity and precision.
Works Cited
Borodin, Ivan. Accent Reduction: The Standard American Accent. New York: Prentice Hall Press, 2013. Print.
Lippi-Green, Rosina. English with an Accent. Chicago: Routledge 2011. Print.
