I’m going to start the week off with an interview. I had the pleasure of chatting with Mark Selent about his business. It’s pretty interesting. He helps people that are learning English develop a more American sounding accent. Take it away Mark.

Me: What exactly is accent reduction?
Mark: Accent reduction is a method that helps English language learners improve the way they pronounce English. It helps remove communication barriers. I don’t like to think having an accent means something is ‘wrong’ or ‘needs corrected,’ rather, it’s simply improving the way you speak English.
Me: Who typically is interested in accent reduction?
Mark: People typically interested in accent reduction speak English as a second or third language and are professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen etc. People tell me that they don’t want to miss out on opportunities or be singled out because they don’t sound “American” enough. But anyone interested in improving the way they speak English is a candidate for accent reduction lessons.
Me: If you had one piece of advice for someone interested in reducing their accent what would it be?
Mark: I’d recommend finding an accent reduction specialist trained in the Compton P-ESL method. It can be an incredible waste of time trying to read books, use audio CDs, and learn the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

You can find Mark at http://www.accenttrainingcenter.com

About deannatroupe

DeAnna Troupe is a small business coach and a freelance writer. She helps small business owners with their social media strategy. In her free time she likes to spend time with her family. She enjoys watching basketball and American football, crocheting, reading, writing, singing, and playing cards.