Learn the general American accent to be better understood
If you're tired of being asked, "Where are you from?" or having to repeat yourself to colleagues and clients, you need to learn the general American accent. You'll be more easily understood, and understand Americans more easily.
My physically-based approach works quickly, teaching you how to form the sounds of the American accent even if you can't hear them at first (people customarily hear only the sounds in their own language until they're taught to make the sounds of a new accent). I've been retained by General Motors, Maximus, Anthem, Honeywell Analytics, Ernst & Young, Imperial Capital Bank, Oakwood Worldwide, Jafra, TAXI, Reuters International Television, California Lutheran University and the Los Angeles Japanese Consulate, to name just a few.
How Does It Work?
I'll have you read me a short story, and using that, as well as hearing you converse, I'll determine which sounds you're changing from a neutral, or general American accent.
We'll look at those sounds one at a time: I'll teach you how the American version of the sound should be formed (what you do with the tongue, jaw and lips) then give you some practice using the new sound, first in words, then in sentences and brief stories.
This work begins by helping your brain allow you to hear new sounds, so you can hear and imitate the American accent more effectively. We all tend to hear through the filter of our original accent or language; the brain blocks us from hearing sounds that we didn’t grow up using—this is why some adults can be in a new place for many years without adopting the accent of that place. I’ll teach how to physically form the new sounds, which will help your brain create neural pathways to allow you to better hear these sounds, both in yourself and in people speaking with American accents. You’ll be able to imitate what you haven’t previously been able to hear, which will help change your accent much more quickly. And you’ll develop the ability to know when you’re on- or off-target with the new accent, and know how to correct yourself.
We'll also address issues of stress or intonation and liasons or word connections, both key components of the American accent. As you get comfortable with the individual parts of the new accent through brief daily exercises, I'll have you read longer passages (including work-related material), eventually using the new accent in conversation.
I'll record each session (whether in person or by phone) and email you an mp3 for later review. I may recommend you purchase a textbook, either American Accent Training by Ann Cook (4th Edition), which comes with audio download for practice, or for native English speakers, Speak With Distinction which contains many useful exercises (though we'll steer clear of the Mid-Atlantic accent that the book teaches). I'll supplement the books with additional original material (via email if we work by webcam, so it's best to work from a desktop computer or tablet).
My clients almost always report that they've learned something new during the very first session, and achieve a significant change in their sound between 12-24 sessions. You may take fewer or more sessions depending upon your accent.
Can we work via Zoom?
While we're still dealing with COVID-19 (and on-set testing), we can work via Zoom, which is highly effective.
Client Lara Homsi said of working with me online: "It was like being face to face. Joel is so specific and wouldn't let me give up until I owned my sound. He caught all the sounds that I made which created the accent and worked with me on every single one."
What are your rates?
Rates for private coaching vary, depending upon what you need to accomplish, how quickly you need it, and whether you pay for sessions individually or prepay for a package of six or twelve sessions. Additional fees will apply for travel to your site. Please contact me for specific information about your needs.
Joel Goldes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 818-879-1896