Regional Accent Reduction Class
Onsite Training in Denver or Online
Are you tired of the “Where are you from?” interruptions? Do comments about your “cute” accent distract from your professional objective? Although regional accents are a valued aspect of identity, they can unfortunately create communication barriers in business and customer interactions.
Learn to speak with greater clarity and confidence in standard American English through our regional accent reduction class. We focus on helping you modify and refine your accent while honoring your individual speaking style.
What is Standard American English?
Unlike regional accents, which clearly indicate a speaker’s origin (whether New York or Texas, for example), Standard American English is defined by its neutrality. When spoken effectively, it’s difficult to pinpoint where someone is from, making it the preferred style for many news and sports broadcasters.
Regardless of whether you’re from New York or Texas, regional accents have distinct characteristics. Effective regional accent reduction focuses on voice placement and oral resonance — positioning speech centrally in the mouth, away from nasal or lower throat areas – rather than focusing solely on individual sounds, addressing subtle differences in spoken language.
Get Started With Regional Accent Reduction Today!
- Achieve clearer communication through a neutral, standard speaking style.
- Project confidence with a stronger, more powerful voice.
- Improve your pronunciation by addressing missing or misspoken sounds.
The Impact of Regional Accent Reduction
No matter your starting point, you can become a more powerful speaker. We’ll meet you at your comfort level and help you build the skills you need to command any room- virtual or in person.
Boost Professional Credibility – A polished, neutral accent conveys authority and professionalism.
Enhance Understanding – Eliminate communication barriers and ensure your message is received effectively.
Increase Confidence – Speak confidently in any setting, knowing your message resonates.
Expand Career Opportunities – Improved communication skills pave the way for leadership and career growth.
Why do Regional Accents Exist?
Culture
During the colonization of America, significant variations in speech patterns developed approximately every 50 miles. These differences persist today.
Voice Placement
Cultural migration patterns often led to higher voice placement, resulting in nasal-sounding speech or a thin, overly high vocal pitch.
Speech Patterns
Depending on one’s region of origin, speech patterns can often be monotone, leading to a pace that is too fast or a delivery that is too forceful compared to a more neutral speaking style.
Specific Sounds
Some vowel sounds are produced with excessive upward inflection, creating an unintended glide. Additionally, certain consonant sounds are sometimes substituted with others or are slightly mispronounced.
Trust Our Proven Approach to Reduce Your Regional Accent
With over two decades of experience as a speech therapist, Liz Peterson stands as an expert in both global and regional speech and language patterns. Her extensive knowledge, cultivated through over 20 years of dedicated study, culminated in the comprehensive book, “Accent Reduction 101: Speaking English in the Cultural and Business Style” (now in its 4th edition, 2026).
Furthermore, Liz’s expertise is recognized throughout the field, as she has trained hundreds of speech therapists across the nation in offering effective accent reduction services. Don’t just take our word for it – we encourage you to see what others are saying by checking our reviews online. Liz Peterson is also a proud member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a testament to her professional standing and commitment to the field.
Quick Progress, Lasting Impact: Our Regional Accent Reduction Classes
5-Session Speech and Voice Clarity Program - Onsite in Denver or Online
- Develop Standard American intonation for improved clarity within 3 weeks.
- Learn to speak with a stronger and more powerful voice through proper placement.
- Achieve oral resonance by directing your voice away from the lower throat or nasal cavity.
- Eliminate regional accent characteristics such as upward inflection on vowel sounds or a fast, monotone speech pattern.
- Solidify your new skills through practical, real-world exercises.
10-Session Full Regional Accent Reduction Program - Onsite in Denver or Online
This program includes everything covered in the 5-week class, in addition to the following:
- Learn to correctly pronounce commonly mispronounced consonant sounds, such as /th/ and /ing/, as well as certain misarticulated vowel sounds.
- Improve your production of the /R/ sound and vocalic /er/ sounds.
- Develop diaphragm breathing techniques for clearer communication.
- Receive advanced oral resonance training to eliminate a thin, nasal, or high-pitched voice, and to reduce excessive laryngeal tension.
- Practice real-world scenarios like presentations and meetings to ensure your new skills become natural in conversation.
We can discuss the best class option for your specific goals during your complimentary consultation.
Check with your HR representative to see if professional development funds are available for this professional development seminar
Upon completion, our clients receive a receipt confirming their participation in an “Accent Neutralization Seminar for Business Professionals.” This seminar may qualify as a tax deduction under miscellaneous expenses. We recommend consulting your tax accountant in Denver or elsewhere for specific eligibility.
Interested in Our Accent Reduction One-Day Workshop?
Ready to refine your accent? Our one-day accent reduction seminar is offered several times a year in Denver with options to join us virtually or in person. Check out our next date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Standard American English?
Standard American English refers to a neutral style of speaking in which a listener cannot easily identify the speaker’s regional origin. This “standard” model of speech lacks distinguishable regional features and is often used by news anchors, sports broadcasters, and national media personalities. It is considered the most universally understood and culturally neutral form of spoken American English.
Why Are There So Many Dialects in the United States?
The wide variety of dialects in the United States can be traced back to early American settlement patterns. As communities formed and expanded across regions, distinct speech patterns — known as dialects — emerged. Historically, it was said that a noticeable change in dialect could occur every 50 miles, resulting in the rich diversity of American English heard today.
What Is Resonance, and Why Does It Matter in Regional Accent?
Resonance refers to the placement of vocal sound within the body’s cavities. In clear and neutral-sounding speech, resonance is primarily oral, meaning speech sounds are formed and projected from the mouth cavity.
However, regional accents often feature excessive nasal resonance, where speech is directed through the nasal cavity. This nasal placement contributes heavily to the distinct sound of many regional dialects.
What Role Does Voice Placement Play in Regional Accent Reduction?
Voice placement is closely tied to vocal pitch and is typically categorized into habitual pitch (your default speaking tone) and optimal pitch (the tone that produces the richest, clearest sound).
Many regional accents are characterized by speaking from a high habitual pitch, which can result in a thin or sharp tone. Accent reduction programs help individuals shift toward their optimal pitch, located lower in the throat, where the voice sounds stronger, fuller, and more resonant.
What Is Intonation, and Why Is It Important for Reducing a Regional Accent?
Intonation refers to the rhythm, melody, and pitch movement in spoken language. It is a culturally influenced pattern that varies across regions of the U.S. Standard American intonation features smooth, flowing pitch changes and flat vowel pronunciation.
In contrast, southern accents often rise in pitch during vowel sounds, while some eastern accents involve forceful articulation from the throat. Regional vowel distortions often fall outside the Standard American Speech model, but these can be corrected with proper intonation training, leading to clearer, more neutral speech.
Get Started With Public Speaking Training Today!
Contact us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your communication goals.
