I have been doing accent work since about 1975 or so. The first paper was published on it in 1984. (If you'd like a free copy of that, let me know and I'll send you one.) Our 2013 article gives you a pretty good picture of what it is about. Would love to work with you if you have the "wiring" and time. If interested, check out the AHAE program page. (It is still a work in progress but it will give you a pretty good idea of what it is about.)
Bill
Just got important question: Why is this program ONLY for working professionals? Basically, if you have an active, "conversation-life" at work, you and I have a very rich source of data to work with in identifying and fixing specific words and phrases, for example, and you have a near-perfect context for integrating back in what we have "repaired" together. My experience has been over the years, that those who have that kind of resource to work with always do better, have a better shot at being successful and achieving lasting change and improvement. Doesn't mean that it can't be done more in isolation, but I'd never guarantee results if you don't have real, "live" interaction on an ongoing basis to function in-- as I do in this system.
ReplyDeleteI do not like what you are doing: that is trying to introduce a layer of differentiation at a cost. I was fortunate to be CELTA trained wherein the British instructors embraced the various accents. In the English Speaking World there are a significant amount of accents even in Britain. What is important is that students learn the correct grammar, idioms, expressions pronunciations, nuances among other things. The student must then expose themselves to more accents via films, news,and other aural opportunities. So, I definitely think you are off base with this effort.
ReplyDeleteA position, in principle, well worth consideration, indeed: First, however, since you do not identify yourself, I cannot respond directly to your argument, a general policy on blog. Second, you apparently did not carefully read over all three pages of the announcement. This is accent enhancement, not accent reduction or elimination--or addition. I not infrequently work on making aspects of a client's accent MORE pronounced or recognizable, not less. It depends entirely on the immediate work context and needs of the client. The most important phase of the process is an intensive, ethnographic examination of the socio-cultural milieu the individual finds themselves in at this moment in their career. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify that, nonetheless!
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