Leanne Sherred, M.S., CCC-SLP
Everyone has an accent, and it’s part of what makes us unique.
People sound different because they speak more than one language or come from varying regions of the U.S. While having an accent is not a communication disorder in itself, it can make it difficult to communicate with other people.
Some people want to change their accent. They may find it hard to be understood by others. Accented speech can disrupt the natural flow of conversation, and a person may find it harder to communicate, both at work and socially.
Speech therapists are experts in teaching people to change their speech patterns. Changing an accent is a personal choice, but if you're considering it, this guide is for you. Learn how accent modification works and what to expect in speech therapy.
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Start the screenerWhat is an accent?
Every language has its own melody, rhythm, and stress points. This includes how vowels and consonants are used and pronounced, the rhythm and intonation of oral communication, and which sounds occur at the beginning and end of words.
When someone learns to speak a new language, that new language may not have the same sound features. That’s when an accent may be present.
There are a couple ways to categorize accents:
Accents of national origin: These types of accents are more common in non-native English speakers who learned English as a second language. For example, someone who only speaks English will often sound different than someone who grew up speaking Italian and learned English later in life.
Regional accents: There are parts of the United States commonly associated with stronger accents, such as New York City, Texas, Mississippi, and Boston. Some people who move from state to state choose to modify how they sound.
What is accent modification?
It’s worth saying again that an accent is not a speech or language disorder. It’s simply a difference in how one speaks. The goal of accent modification is to understand the features of your speech that don't align with your second language (or your new regional dialect), then learn to reduce those features. The ultimate goal is to be able to communicate clearly and comfortably with others.
Speech therapy for accent modification is most commonly sought by people who:
Learned English as a second language
Want to change or reduce their regional accent
Want to articulate more clearly and intelligibly at school or work
Need to develop a new accent (for example, an actor learning an accent for a role)
Why do people choose to change their accent?
There are many reasons people decide to reduce or modify their accent. These can include:
Difficulty being understood by others
Often having to repeat yourself
Listeners having a negative attitude toward your accent
People focusing on your accent instead of the message you’re trying to communicate
The effects of having an accent can range from the mildly annoying to the downright frustrating. Trouble with communication can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem. It can interfere with your everyday activities, social interactions, or your progress at school or work. In fact, studies have shown that people who speak English as a second language may be passed over for top managerial jobs and executive positions. And although discrimination and bias based on your accent is illegal, it happens often.
Is it possible to change your accent permanently?
With hard work, practice, and professional guidance, you can change the way you pronounce words. It doesn't matter if you're a new English speaker or have been speaking the language for years: wherever you are in your speech journey is the right place to start.
What to expect in speech therapy for accent modification
You may have tried to change your accent in the past. The problem is that without professional help from a skilled clinician, it can be difficult to change the sounds, phrasing, and speech patterns that are part of your accent.
Many people who want to modify their accent seek the help of a speech-language pathologist. These professionals will work with you to understand your speech needs, identify communication problems, and learn about your goals or what you’d like to change.
Some common things a speech therapist will address during your sessions include:
Showing you how to change your mouth movements or tongue placement to adjust your pronunciation
The rhythm of your speech and the stress you put on certain sounds
How you speak in conversation
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Get startedYour speech therapist will start with a comprehensive evaluation of your speech patterns. They’ll ask you to produce different sounds and read words and sentences out loud to develop a better understanding of:
How you produce different sounds
The rhythm and intonation of your speech
How you sound in conversation
How your accent impacts your daily life
Your overall intelligibility
They may also ask questions about your personal language history that could be relevant to your care. These can include:
The languages you speak
Age at which you learned new languages
Where these languages were learned (school, home, community)
How long you've spoken each language
Which languages are used at home, work, or socially
Based on this information, as well as your age, linguistic and cultural background, and learning style, your speech therapist will develop an accent modification plan to help you reach your communication goals. Your plan will include pronunciation training, accent modification exercises to reinforce what you're learning, and clear, measurable goals to track your progress.
Accent modification exercises used in speech therapy
Depending on your evaluation and communication goals, there are a variety of techniques your speech therapist may use to change your accent. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), some of these strategies include:
Listening and imitating: Your speech therapist may have you practice repetition of certain sounds or words.
Phonetic training: This refers to an individual’s ability to recognize and produce certain sounds
Minimal pair drill: This is the ability to isolate and differentiate between similar sounds, such as /w/ and /r/, or similar sounding vowels
Visual aids: There are a number of visual aids, such as pictures, mirrors, or charts, that can help with the proper pronunciation of sounds
Tongue twisters: Repeating phrases that have similar and successive sounds
Reading: Practicing reading words or text aloud
Recording speech: Your speech therapist may record, or ask you to record, your speech patterns so you can clearly hear yourself speaking and provide feedback
Practicing vowels: Improving how you pronounce and put stress on different vowels
Auditory description: This strategy focuses on your ability to recognize, differentiate, and isolate between separate sounds
Is accent modification covered by insurance?
Accent modification is typically not covered by insurance. This is because it's viewed as an elective service, not a medically necessary service. Even though changing your accent may benefit you in many ways, insurance typically does not consider it medically necessary for your health.
You can click here to learn more about the cost of accent modification therapy at Expressable.
What does online speech therapy for accent modification look like?
Online speech therapy for accent modification is an effective alternative to in-person therapy. Expressable will match you with a certified speech therapist trained to evaluate and treat communication challenges related to accents. All therapy is delivered online via video conferencing, in one-on-one sessions at a time that works for you.
Expressable speech therapists are uniquely qualified to assess, treat, and support people seeking to modify their accent. This includes using current best practices to guide clinical recommendations. Treatment plans are individualized, holistic, functional, and centered on your needs and goals. You can read more about the Expressable accent modification program in our treatment guide.
Support beyond sessions: The Expressable portal
At Expressable, your speech therapy doesn’t stop when the session ends. All clients get access to our client portal, which makes practicing accent modification exercises easier and more effective. Here’s what you’ll find:
Learning Paths that explain and reinforce therapy strategies for changing your accent
Demo videos that show real speech techniques in action
Home practice activities you can do during your everyday routine
Text messaging support so you can ask questions, get reminders, or receive tips from your therapist between sessions.
By using the tools in the portal and practicing regularly, you can make faster progress and build more independence in your communication.
Get matched with a speech therapist today
While accents are not a communication disorder, they are a communication difference. If you’re thinking about changing your accent, the first step is to educate yourself about what's possible. Find the right speech therapist for your needs here.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
