Accent Modification for the Corporate Professional

"A man is never the master of an idea until he can express it clearly."
— Lew Sarett

With ever increasing globalization, every business that is served by the professional for whom English is a second language, needs to ensure that he or she is able to communicate effectively. In a corporate environment, communication impacts professional image and client relationships. Heavily accented speech can impede the ability to communicate clearly, resulting in a loss of business, decreased productivity, and missed career advancement opportunities. Therefore, accent modification training is vital in ensuring successful communication.

Clear Speech Now offers intensive training programs to individuals who wish to enhance their communication skills through accent modification; resulting in speech more easily understood by clients, colleagues, friends, and even strangers.

Accent Modification Training Programs

Our personalized, small-group, or privately-coached training program is the most effective and convenient way for busy corporate professionals to improve their accent and, thus, facilitate career advancement! Training is tailored to work-related speaking and writing skills which help one function more effectively. Persons will learn how to produce sounds that exist in the English language, that are nonexistent in their native language, through proper tongue placement and use of the oral musculature. All training programs address the following components of American English:

• Pronunciation
• Intonation
• Pitch
• Grammar
• Phrasing

Other aspects of accent modification training may include:

• Idiomatic Expressions
• Telephone Skills
• Grammar
• Oral Presentation Skills
• Conversational English

Small Group Training

Small Group Training is an economical alternative to private coaching. Classes, which are held in groups of no more than five participants, include the following:

• A personalized program based on a complete assessment, which is designed to identify the problematic American English sounds, along with stress and intonation patterns of each individual. It also helps to identify the sounds that will make the greatest impact on one’s ability to be understood.
• Training that addresses pronunciation and intonation in structured, conversational and professional speaking contexts.
• Weekly e-mail and telephone support during training, and for two months after completion of training.
• A post-training assessment to measure the participant’s progress.
• A self-study program for continued speech improvement upon completion of training.
• Each participant receives practice materials and assignments throughout the program.

Program Options

• Three-day intensive training (2-5 Persons)
• Six-week training program*
• Twelve-week training program*

*These classes meet once a week for 1 1/2 hours.

Private Coaching

Private coaching is offered to persons who feel more comfortable in a one-on-one setting, and prefer individualized attention and flexibility. This highly concentrated form of training allows the participant to make more rapid progress. Customized programs include:

• A complete assessment designed to identify problematic American English sounds, along with stress and intonation patterns. It also helps to identify the sounds that will make the greatest impact on one’s ability to be understood.
• Training that addresses pronunciation and intonation in structured, conversational and professional speaking contexts.
• Unlimited e-mail and telephone support during training, and for two months after completion of training.
• A post-training assessment to measure the participant’s progress.
• A self-study program for continued speech improvement upon completion of training.
• Flexible daytime, evening, and weekend scheduling is available. Training location will be based on the client’s preference (client’s workplace, or at a CLEAR SPEECH NOW training facility).
• Training via telephone or internet (webcam) is available for clients outside the Tidewater area, or for those with work and/or travel constraints.
• Clients will receive practice materials and assignments throughout the program.
• Duration of training is determined by the client’s individual needs and goals.