My teaching methodology diverges from conventional approaches. Unlike typical methods that rely heavily on practical exercises, my strategy involves focusing on the basic building blocks of speech. This approach aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the sounds of English and ensures effective accent reduction.
Most accent reduction programs utilize hands-on exercises, offering students sentences or phrases to analyze within the context of natural speech. However, my experience suggests that this approach may not be optimal for those specifically seeking help with their accent. Mimicking sounds based on the language filter of one's native language can lead to overcompensation and confusion, hindering the learning process. While practical application is valuable, it must genuinely benefit the student to be effective.
To understand how native speakers develop language skills, we can look at infants who babble sounds before articulating words. Non-native speakers often miss this crucial step in acquiring natural English sounds. Consequently, I prioritize guiding students through the fundamentals of the speech mechanisms, emphasizing the interrelation between articulators and the lungs. By mimicking the stages of infant-like articulation, students develop muscle memory akin to that of a native speaker.
Beginning with the articulation of basic sounds like /p/ or /t/, students gradually progress to combining these sounds to mirror vocabulary, phrases and sentences. This systematic approach ensures a solid foundation before advancing to more complex speech patterns.
Students encountering substantial challenges should be prepared for a committed study duration of a minimum of 150 hours, incorporating both independent learning and instructor-led sessions. This investment is essential to achieving a level of proficiency where they can replicate the instructor's speech, mastering one word at a time with almost flawless pronunciation. Proceeding to the next stage involves transitioning from uttering one word at a time to articulating two words consecutively, followed by three words, and so forth. This commitment reflects the depth of my program, emphasizing the importance of paying carefeul attention to each step of the process.
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