How To Improve Your Pronunciation

Episode 1 – Accent Reduction

In this series, we will introduce you to experts who can help you achieve your language and related professional goals.

We start by talking with Tamara Prokofyeva about the importance of accent reduction and how to succeed by yourself and with a tutor.

In this episode, I ask Tamara to share her advice, suggestions and stories on:

The Challenge

• The accent ceiling
• Problems that people face
• The crisis in the teaching of English pronunciation
• Why most teachers are not trained to teach pronunciation
• How we learn our mother tongue
• How muscle memory can become an enemy
• Why one pronunciation lesson is not enough

The Benefits Of Improved Pronunciation

• The kind of people who take accent reduction lessons and why
• How pronunciation lessons helped one student improve her IELTS Writing and Speaking score
• How pronunciation can improve your listening
• Why speaking with a good accent can increase your chances of success

Ways To Improve Your Pronunciation

• Training your ear to hear your mistakes
• How to develop critical listening skills
• Using the internet and smartphones to help yourself
• How to use the phonetic alphabet
• When to seek professional help
• How to find a qualified teacher
• What a typical pronunciation lesson involves
• The difference between accent and elocution
• Why you shouldn’t choose a teacher who trained as an actor
• When to start working on your pronunciation
• How long you should devote to improving your accent

Key resources mentioned by Tamara Prokofyeva in this episode

Paul Carley’s book, English Phonetics and Pronunciation Practice.

The website which accompanies Paul Carley’s book.

The film, My Fair Lady.

Paul Carley’s YouTube channel.

About Tamara Prokofyeva

Tamara is a London-based Accent Reduction Coach and Founder and Director of Pronunciation First.

If you have any more questions for Tamara Prokofyeva, feel free to contact her on: