THE SOUND & STYLE OF AMERICAN ENGLISH: 8-Hour Audio Course

$34.95

Learn the American-English Accent | 8 Hours of Audio Instruction for Reducing Accents of all other First Languages.

or-Click to private ZOOM lessons with D.A. Stern.

Description

Reduce Foreign-Language Accents | Learn General American Sound | Audio Course Download

WHAT WILL YOU DOWNLOAD

The program contains a text manual and 8 hours of systematic audio lessons. It is specifically for speakers of other first languages wanting to reduce foreign-language accents and learn the American (non-regional) accent. A VIDEO SUPPLEMENT & TEACHER’S MANUAL are also available separately or in a discounted package.

David’s method to reduce foreign-language accents does not start with imitation or pronunciation drills. This fun and effective approach is based on his accent-learning techniques for actors. It teaches the voice placement, intonation/inflections, and then target pronunciations of the General American accent.

REDUCING FOREIGN-LANGUAGE ACCENTS:
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

  • Unit 1 of the program to reduce foreign-language accents gives you a more American-sounding intonation, inflections, and speech rhythm using David’s respected “Jump Up-Step Down” method.
  • The 2nd Unit teaches the “Mid-Tongue Muscularity” technique that helps you create the resonance or voice placement of standard American English.
  • Unit 3 teaches the unique pronunciation of American vowels, but not just by imitation. You will use the intonation and muscularity skills from earlier to help generate these sounds organically.
  • In Unit 4 you’ll use the earlier skills to create American consonants, including the unique R sounds before and after vowels.
  • Unit 5 addresses complex pronunciation issues: Final consonants, Medial T’s,  -ED Endings and separating L/R and S/Z.
  • The Final Unit looks at contractions, informal pronunciation, and the integration of American intonation and syllable stress.

IS THERE ONE STANDARD, GENERAL (NON-REGIONAL) AMERICAN ACCENT?

Folks often ask me exactly where in the USA people speak American English “without an accent.” WELL! Pretty much all Americans grow up speaking a local accent. It’s just that we call some of those variations “no accent” or “non-regional accents.” So, for better or worse, here’s what I mean by that term.

I define the “Non-Regional American Accent” as oral English that identifies its speakers as native-born Americans. But, at the same time, it does not give most listeners clues that speakers are from specific cities or regions. I don’t believe, however, that there is one absolute standard for “a correct non-regional accent.” Some vowel pronunciations can vary a bit without creating the impression of an accent change. The intonation and voice placement remain the same in the different versions of “non-regional” American.