How Accent Reduction Works
Everyone who speaks English has some kind of accent. In the U.S. there are many different accents among native English speakers. An American born and raised in Chicago may have an accent for a listener who is also American, but from Boston. Accents are always relative to some type of standard. The Boston listener uses his or her accent as the standard for comparison of the Chicago speaker's accent.
The Standard American Accent
When we talk about accent reduction, we first must define which accent we are using as the standard. In the U.S. the widespread availability of television and radio during the last century led to the standardization by media outlets of a nationwide accent. Thus, local TV newscasters in Seattle sound very similar to newscasters in Richmond, Virginia or Bangor, Maine or anywhere else in the U.S. This “radio and TV” accent is the Standard American Accent. Although a Texan, a Bostonian, or a New Yorker may have an accent that is different from the "Standard Accent", each of them will understand the Standard American Accent without strain or confusion. ALTA's Accent Reduction Programs aim to facilitate communication with the broadest allotment of the diverse American population. The media-set Standard American Accent was chosen for attaining that goal with our clients.
Support Materials
ALTA provides online support materials to the student. The support materials are located in the password-protected part of ALTA's website (select Login above). The homework materials feature native, American-English speakers saying the lesson materials that are covered in the sessions with the teacher. The student can hear the proper pronunciation of the sounds and intonation as much and as often as needed. The homework materials are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. An internet-accessible PC with Windows 98 or higher operating system is required to see the homework.
Many clients also require customer-specific support materials. This usually consists of four to eight online lessons that cover the client's unique terminology and situations.
Taking the Next Step...
If you're interested in learning more about our Accent Reduction program, give us a call at 404.920.3820 or email Danielle.
