Received Pronunciation, Accent Reduction & Elocution Coaching in Central London with an Experienced Tutor

Find out more about Anton

• What advice can you give to those who want to improve their accent?

  For anyone who's serious about improving their accent, I highly recommend becoming familiar with the International Phonetic Alphabet and the monophthong chart. These are essential tools used not just by academics, but also by dialect coaches and actors. It's important to understand that English spelling isn't phonetic, which is one of the reasons why non-native English speakers often struggle with their accent. Additionally, I suggest reading up on phonetics and phonology as much as possible before seeking out a teacher for help. This will enable you to better assess whether a teacher can provide the support you need. There are many types of tutors who specialize in accents and pronunciation, ranging from English teachers to speech therapists, voice coaches, and speech trainers. Personally, I've created an online self-study course for my students, and I've found that those who make the most progress are the ones who have taken the time to master the basic foundations. Finally, keep in mind that lessons should focus on receiving correction, not on the teacher explaining concepts that you can research on your own.

• How did you get into teaching accents and pronunciation?

  Teaching English pronunciation is a natural fit for me, given my background in Mathematics and my lifelong interest in languages. I'm passionate about helping students develop native-like patterns of speech that go beyond just using correct grammar and intonation, but also include speaking with a flawless accent. It's incredibly satisfying to have people assume that English is a student's first language when they're actually speaking it as a second language. Personally, I'm fluent in French as my second language and Japanese as my third language. When I was studying Japanese, I spent a lot of time observing the speech patterns of Japanese people and trying to replicate their sounds in a native-like manner.
  My journey into teaching English pronunciation began in 2009 when I went to Japan on a working holiday visa. Initially, I worked as a translator before landing a job at a pronunciation school. Teaching Japanese students was a challenging experience, but my own experience learning Japanese allowed me to identify the difficulties my students were facing. I delved deeper into the field of phonetics and phonology to better understand how we create sounds. Since then, I've taught students from diverse linguistic backgrounds and have even created an online course on Udemy and Thinkific. Additionally, I hold monthly workshops in London to further help students improve their English pronunciation.

• Why do so many struggle to adopt a British accent?

  Many people struggle to adopt a British accent due to a lack of awareness and understanding of how sounds are created in their native language. Often, individuals focus too much on the end result of intonation, melody, and rhythm instead of the basic building blocks of pronunciation. For instance, a student may struggle with rhythm and intonation if they cannot articulate a basic consonant sound such as /t/. The neutral and transitional sounds also differ from language to language, and it is essential to recognize the sounds of British English and have a thorough understanding of the mechanics of the articulators, vocal cords, and lungs. English being a stress-timed language adds to the complexity of the accent. However, it is not a difficult process when viewed logically. My background in Mathematics combined with my learning of foreign languages has helped me better understand the mechanics of how we articulate sounds, which I now use to teach my students.

• Why is pronunciation & accent important?

  Pronunciation and accent are important for effective communication. The way we speak affects how people perceive us and understand us. Pronunciation is not just about being able to make the sounds of a language, but it's also about the ability to use those sounds in a meaningful way that conveys the intended message. Accents can also have cultural connotations, and in some situations, it may be important to sound like a native speaker in order to be taken seriously or to build rapport with others. In the workplace, for example, clear and effective communication can be critical for success, and a strong accent may impede that. Similarly, in academia, clear pronunciation can be important for presenting research and participating in discussions. In summary, pronunciation and accent are important for clear communication, building relationships, and achieving success in various areas of life.

• What makes you a Superprof in pronunciation?

  As a native English speaker who is fluent in French and Japanese and has also studied Korean, I have developed a deep understanding of the subtleties and nuances of different languages and their pronunciation. Through my experience of striving to perfect second and third languages, I have discovered effective learning methods and techniques to help students achieve their ultimate dream of speaking English in a more native-like manner.
  With over 12 years of experience teaching pronunciation and accents, I have worked with individuals from diverse linguistic backgrounds, which has further enriched my expertise. I believe that there are very few trainers and schools that deliver effective results in this field, and my desire to help students overcome this challenge has driven me to create a comprehensive course structure that has yielded successful outcomes for my students.
  I constantly strive to improve my teaching methods based on the feedback that I receive from my students, and I remain committed to helping them unlock the code to perfect pronunciation and accent. Therefore, I consider myself an expert in pronunciation and accents due to my extensive experience, diverse linguistic background, and passion for helping students achieve their language learning goals.