Accent Reduction Language Courses?

[youngmeema]

Hello all, do any of you have advice on accent reduction courses or classes that are effective? My RW has excellent english... is a 5 on a scale of 1-5 in english language skills, took english in Russia for a year and has been in california for a year and things are improving. However, her accent is still "medium heavy" and she wants to take some courses or classes that are specific to accent reduction. There are CDs, internet learning classes and also classes and personal tutoring here in california. Not sure what is best and looking for advice before making the investment. Thank you and regards, BigC...

[TigerPaws]

 Sorry I can not help you on this except to say if my lady ever lost her accent I would send her back to Russia for accent retraining;) I can not help it I just LOVE the accent.

[START2]

I have to agree with TP here and it's the first thought I had before I saw what he wrote.  I hope my wife's beautiful accent never fades. It's so sexy and music to my ears. In the dark of the evening and we're laying side by side that accent touches my very soul. I can make love to her for hours.

[TigerPaws]

START2,

 Go for it

[START2]

I have and many times!!!!!!!;)  After 5 months we already had to buy a new matress for the bed!!!!!:D:P

[TigerPaws]

 

LoL, that will keep you young and it is good for the heart as well;)

[START2]

Uh huh. And that's what any EE Dr. tells  their female pts!!!:D

[TigerPaws]

Yes, yes and they (our ladies) actually believe it  

[Michelangelo]

Sorry I can not help you on this except to say if my lady ever lost her accentI would send her back to Russia for accent retraining;)I can not help it I just LOVE the accent.

I agree--it's one of the sexest things about my girlfriend.

But vocal training does not make you "lose" your accent.  It just gives you the power to turn it on and off.

Nicole Kiddman is a good example. In interviews, she speaks in her native Australian accent. But in movie roles, she speaks standard American English when playing an American.

It's mostly control over vowel sounds...

BigC, there are lots of vocal coaches that can help.  Call the drama department at your local university and they can recommend a tutor...

Good luck :-)

[dostogirl]

I got rid of my accent. Not that I tried real hard, it just happened. Now most people can't ever guess I'm from Russia. I'd suggest you to hire a professional speech therapist, the one who works with accent reduction. It may be pretty expensive though. She may also try courses, but I wouldn't suggest CDs. Also, I think one has to have a special skill to be able to get rid of an accent. Not everyone is able to achieve that. Good luck.

[Son of Clyde]

Yes, but do not trade the loss of a Russian accent for the gaining of a Baltimore, Brooklyn or Boston accent. A midwest accent is good. I don't think there is such a thing as no accent. She may lose her Russian accent to replace it with another American accent. Maybe a Yiddish accent would sound nice?

Personally, I like slight accents when you are able to understand what the speaker is saying. My grandfather had an Italian accent even after he arrived in the US at the age of 16, fought in WWI and opened his own business in the US. He died at the age of 67, still with his Italian accent. 

[youngmeema]

Thank you all for your perspectives on accent reduction. She wants to lessen, not get rid of her accent, as it would be an asset in social settings and work situations if folks could understand her more clearly. It looks like the most valuable advice is to practice more and maybe some private eloqution lessons. Thank you and regards