Real reasons why clients have wanted to reduce their accents:

An accent occurs when sounds from your first language affect the pronunciation of sounds in your second language. Improving your pronunciation in your second (or third) language is called accent modification. The process involves learning new consonant sounds, vowel sounds, intonation and communication habits to match the local Toronto accent. As you learn to match more sounds, you progressively sound more native in your accent. Whether your accent is heavy or slight, we can help you. We understand that strength of an accent doesn't reflect how intelligent you are or how well you understand English. And, we know that clients who chose accent modification often experience trouble with pronunciation in their first language as well. Our clinic will help with that too.

Accent Modification - Yes.
Accent Reduction - No.

We won't use the phrase "accent reduction" to describe the accent-related therapy or training that we do and here's why. The idea of accent reduction is essentially ethnocentric. It presupposes that our own accent is "neutral" and that the other accent must be reduced to get back to the neutral, pure, or best accent. To train someone in accent therapy, you are adjusting their original accent to match (usually) your accent. Simply put, through this process one would be replacing the original accent (e.g., Cork accent) with a new accent (e.g., Toronto accent) and this is more appropriately called accent modification or accent adjustment.

At Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, we have worked on hundreds of accents and can help you achieve measurable improvements with your pronunciation in your real life. Using a client-centered, evidenced-based, holistic and collaborative approach, we will work with you and employ the latest research on accent and adult learning to achieve your speech goals.

Did you know our services are covered by most workplace and education insurance plans? Try our "Is Accent Work for Me?" self-reflection tool below to discover how you might benefit.

We frequently work with clients who have the following accents:

What We'll Do

1. Professional assessment of:

Time total: 1.5 - 2.5 hours

2. Establish a Treatment Plan considering:

Time total: 1 hour

3. Support you through the steps:

Time total: 10-80 hours (varies based on your needs)

Is accent work for me?

Unsure if accent work is right for you? Try our new self-assessment tool by clicking on the box below. A box will open with a series of questions that will help you decide if this service is what you've been looking for.

Open the Accent Self-Assessment tool
Accent Self-Assessment

Our Learning Path Hear the Difference

Understand the way you currently speak and how it differs from the local accent . Learn the Pattern

Learn how to pronounce sounds, say words and deliver sentences. Achieve your goal through step-by-step and supported practice in a safe space. Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy

Whether you already speak French or are learning, awareness of different accents is important for solidifying your own pronunciation and enabling you to understand a variety of speakers. While there are scams out there, we know the realistic way to make changes to an accent.
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