Learn an English Accent

So you want to learn an English accent?

Learning English is difficult enough, with its illogical spellings and irregular verbs, but actually trying to speak in an accepted English accent is, for many students, even more of a challenge.

Let?s look at some ways in which we can make it more straightforward.

The first thing we have to understand, though, is that, whist we know what we mean by speaking in ?an English accent?, this isn?t as clearcut as it sounds. We are all aware that there is a difference between the way, for example, Americans and English people sound, but it is important to remember that there are wide variations even within the two countries.

Again, most of us recognize the difference between a speaker from the southern states in the US and someone from the north, but the same regional differences can be found in England, or, indeed, in any other country where English is the first language. Sometimes, places that are geographically quite close might still have different accents ? for example, Manchester, in England, has the towns of Bolton, Oldham and Salford within a few kilometers, and all 4 places have distinctly different accents.

What most of us are referring to, when we say we want to learn an English accent, is that we want to learn what academics know Standard English. However, the number of people who actually speak in that accent all the time is probably relatively small. The advantage to learning Standard English is that everyone understands it.

How to Learn an English Accent that is "Natural"

But let?s get to specifics. What we really want is to make our English sound ?natural?, and there are several things we can do to make that more possible.

The most obvious thing is to listen to as much English as you can ? films, television series, radio programs. The principle reason that Swedish people generally speak good English is that English language films and tv programs shown there are broadcast in English, with sub-titles. 

Not only does this help with vocabulary, but you get used to the rhythms of the language. Every language has its own flow to it ? it?s more than just the pronunciation of the words, it?s the ?music? of them. The more you watch English language television, the more your ear will become accustomed to it.

Whilst you?re watching, spend some time looking at the mouth movements of the speakers, and try to imitate them. For example, listen for the /th/ sound and see the shape of the mouth, and the tongue, when it is used. Then practice saying words in the same way.

Record yourself speaking ? a horrible thing for most of us, admittedly. You will be very conscious then of areas you can improve. It?s much easier to hear our mistakes than have someone trying to explain them to us.

Use your dictionary; it will have phonetic symbols to give you a clear idea of how to pronounce individual words.

Perhaps buy recorded books in English and then buy the book as well ? borrowing them might be more economical. Reading and listening at the same time help not only with the pronunciation, but with the rhythm of the language.

However, the very best way to learn an English accent is by speaking it as often as you can, preferably with a native speaker.  You could perhaps put up a card in the college foyer, or on your bulletin board at work, asking someone who speaks English if they would be interested in a "coffee buddy".  You don?t have to meet in the same place every time ? you could go for coffee, go shopping, and other things. In this way, you also learn common colloquialisms and everyday phrases in the most natural way.

You can improve the way you speak English but, remember, it won?t happen straight away. Just keep practicing.

Good luck.

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