According to a new study just released by the University of Chicago, a foreign accent may undermine a person’s credibility. Participants who took part in the study were asked to rate the truthfulness of statements made by both native and non-native speakers of English.

The researchers found that truthfulness ratings were lower for statements made by non-native speakers than those made by native speakers. The severity of a person’s accent also affected the score; statements made by speakers with heavier accents were rated as less truthful than those with milder accents. “Because an accent makes a person harder to understand, listeners are less likely to find what the person says as truthful,” researchers concluded.

To help individuals reduce their accents and be better understood by native English-speakers, ALTA provides a variety of Accent Reduction Training programs, ranging from self-study to instructor-led training for individuals as well as corporate groups. These programs provide maximum efficiency and effectiveness in reducing one’s accent because the learner is able to focus only on the sounds that he or she needs to correct in order to sound more like a native English-speaker. An initial assessment pinpoints the individual’s particular problem areas, and provides a rating according to whether each is a minor, moderate, or a major problem area. The learner can then tackle those issues in an organized sequence to maximize his or her progress. ALTA’s methodology uses a series of steps to help the learner understand the right way to produce a sound, and then assimilate that sound into his or her natural speech. Further support is offered in the form of online materials that can be used to practice in between classes.

Changing one’s accent is by no means an easy task; an accent is essentially a habit of how you speak. The objective of an accent reduction training program like ALTA’s is to break an old habit of speaking and replace it with a new one. However, it is a task that can be accomplished with practice, and it breaks down a significant barrier for non-native English speakers.

                          

It is important for health care professionals who speak English as a second language to master proper intonation and pronunciation when speaking with patients.

ALTA’s accent reduction training includes interactive homework lessons featuring recordings of real-world scenarios, such as A Visit to the Doctor.

The following recordings (MP3 files that you can listen to repeatedly, or download for use on any media player) will guide you through 28 typical English phrases used by doctors and nurses.

Listen, repeat, and practice!

1. You need to make an appointment with a doctor.

2. Do you have a family doctor?

3. Are you currently taking any medications?

4. Are you allergic to any medications?

5. Please bring all your prescription medication.

6. Please bring your insurance card and information.

7. The doctor will see you now.

8. Do you have a history of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes in your family?

9. Do you have any chronic diseases, such as asthma or diabetes?

10. Are you pregnant, or is it possible that you may become pregnant?

11. How often do you exercise?

12. Where does it hurt?

13. Does it hurt when I press here?

14. Please open your mouth, stick out your tongue, and say “aah”.

15. Please undress and put on the gown.

16. Please take a deep breath.

17. I’m going to take your temperature.

18. Please hold this under your tongue.

19. You have a fever of 102 degrees.

20. I’m going to measure your blood pressure.

21. Here is your prescription.

22. There are several potential side effects.

23. You have to take this medicine with a lot of water.

24. You can’t drink alcohol with these pills.

25. Come back and see me in two weeks.

26. We’re going to have to take an x-ray.

27. We will call you with the test results.

28. I want you to see a specialist.

Download

To download these English phrases for playback on any MP3 compatible device, simply right click and “save link as” or “save target as” — DOWNLOAD .

                          

It is important for English learners to master proper intonation and pronunciation when speaking with a doctor, a nurse, or a pharmacist.

ALTA’s accent reduction training includes interactive homework lessons featuring recordings of real-world scenarios, such as A Visit to the Doctor.

The following recordings (MP3 files that you can listen to repeatedly, or download for use on any media player) will guide you through 22 typical English phrases used during a doctor’s visit.

Listen, repeat, and practice!

1. I have an appointment with the doctor.

2. Here is my insurance card.

3. Here are all my prescription medications.

4. It hurts here.

5. Is it broken?

6. I haven’t been sleeping well.

7. I have a fever.

8. I feel dizzy and light-headed.

9. I feel nauseous.

10. I have diarrhea.

11. I’ve had these symptoms for a week.

12. Can you write me a prescription?

13. Are there any side effects?

14. I have gained weight recently.

15. I exercise on a regular basis.

16. I have a pretty healthy diet.

17. There is no history of cancer or heart disease in my family.

18. I am a diabetic.

19. I am allergic to antibiotics.

20. Do I need surgery?

21. Can you refer me to a specialist?

22. When is my next appointment?

Download

To download these English phrases for playback on any MP3 compatible device, simply right click and “save link as” or “save target as” — DOWNLOAD .

                          

Among the most difficult things for English learners to master is proper intonation and pronunciation when speaking over the phone. Part of ALTA’s accent reduction training includes interactive homework lessons featuring recordings of real-world scenarios.

The following recordings (MP3 files that you can listen to repeatedly, or download for use on any media player) will guide you through 33 typical English phrases used during telephone conversation in a professional setting. Listen, repeat, and practice!

1. Hello. Could I speak to Mr. John Smith, please?

2. Who’s calling, please?

3. One moment, please. I’ll put you through.

4. I’ll put Mr. Smith on.

5. I’ll transfer you.

6. I am afraid the line’s busy. Would you like to hold?

7. No. I’ll call back later.

8. Could you tell me who is responsible for…?

9. Could I speak with someone who deals with…?

10. Could I take your number?

11. Can I leave a message?

12. Ok. I’ll let him know.

13. I’ll ask him to call you back.

14. I’ll pass on the message.

15. I got your message. I’m returning your call.

16. How can I help you?

17. Is now a convenient time to talk?

18. I am a little busy right now.

19. Would you like me to call you back?

20. When is a good time to call?

21. Could you send me an email to confirm that?

22. I am not sure I understand. What do you mean by that?

23. It’s a bad line. Could you please speak up?

24. Sorry, could you speak more slowly, please?

25. Sorry, could you say that again?

26. I didn’t catch your last name.

27. How do you spell that?

28. Just to check that I am clear on this…

29. Just to make sure I understand it correctly…

30. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

31. Thanks for calling. I’ll speak to you later.

32. Thank you very much for your help.

33. You’re welcome.

Download

To download these phrases for playback on any MP3 compatible device, simply right click and “save link as” or “save target as” — DOWNLOAD .

Back to Accent Reduction Home.

                          

Word Stress is the distribution of stresses within a polysyllabic word. If you’re training to improve your English pronunciation, it is important to place the emphasis on the correct syllable.

Take advantage of this free offer to recieve 9 weeks of Word Stress lessons developed by ALTA’s Accent Training professionals. Visit Free Word Stress to register.

For individuals seeking to improve their level of communication, ALTA has the highest quality Accent Reduction Programs. Read more about how ALTA accent reduction works.