Career Training in Canada

Immigration is up in some countries, especially Canada, where the government has now incorporated more support, more programs and more funding to ensure that immigrants who arrive here can get employed a lot faster than what is currently the case.

However, most students and immigrants will tell you, that their perceived lack of English capability and their self-imposed shyness with using it can create a real barrier to not only employment, but all around enjoyment of their new or host country.

I have come to rely on a few tips to help learners reduce their accent quickly.

1 – Imitate the desired accent and expressions of the people around you e.g. co-workers, T.V. and film characters, teachers, etc. This is not silly, it is vital (i.e. very important!)

2 – Record yourself and check your progress continuously. This way you can actually see/hear your progress, because it is easy to think that you are not making progress over time.

3 – Memorize useful North American or British slang, depending on where you are, and current idioms and expressions, etc. to integrate them whenever possible. If you are not sure if an idiom or expression is appropriate, ask a teacher, tutor or coach, or a trusted native English speaking friend.

4 – Buy a pronunciation book. Check for CDs in the back and whether they are British or American English. Adapt to your environment as best as you can with your accent. I have recommended a couple in the free download on accent reduction you see to the right of the blog (Important Links).

5 – Use a mirror to observe your lips, tongue and teeth positions, and observe others for correct positioning. Practice in the mirror every day. A good time is right after you are finished brushing your teeth.

6 – Control your volume, and stress key content words to keep listeners focused. Content words are nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, numbers, and other descriptor words.

7 – Control your rhythm and pace. It is not a race! Use medium speed, and medium volume.

8 – Practice with tongue-twisters, alliteration and poetry. Get control of your speech!

9 – Keep a list of trouble spots (words, sounds) to practice morning and night in a logbook or diary. Build your own personalized textbook to practice every day.

10 – When in doubt of the correct pronunciation, use a good North American dictionary or British English dictionary, depending on where you are living or studying, to check the phonetic instructions of sounds and syllable stress.

Enjoy learning English, enjoy your new surroundings, and by all means practice accent reduction tips every day until your confidence in communication improves. Then, you will be able to speak with clarity and will find that your accent is no longer holding you back from achieving your goals. Learn to improve your accent, and then learn to speak through your accent!


Go to Speak English Better for additional Info



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Career Training in Canada Blog URL
http://career-training-in-canada.blogspot.com/

Links to our favourite websites:


Link to ESL in Canada Directory of ESL English tutors, teachers, classes, lessons, Canada universities, colleges, schools, Business English, Canadian ESL English as a second language schools, programs, instructors, free ESL English lessons, homestay, education coaching, consulting services, student resources, information and advice across Canada, North America


Link to TLC Travel Language Culture Network for student language exchanges, travel, immigration, employment, shopping, homestay and professional services


Link to Sentence Master English Writing Game that helps students improve English
grammar, English vocabulary, writing phrases, clauses and complete English sentences.

Labels: Accent Reduction - Top 10 Tips