Accent Reduction

What are speech and language differences?

People who speak a primary language other than English may experience interference during speech production. Interference occurs as features of the first language spill over onto the second, less dominant language. This may result in certain sounds or grammatical structures being produced incorrectly while speaking English. Speech and language differences may include:

• substitution of sounds in the primary language that are close to the sounds in the second language
• suprasegmental difficulties related to stress and intonation differences for words and phrases
• word order differences in sentence formation
• differences in verb tense markers as well as other grammatical features
• general vocabulary deficits

Accent reduction therapy can help individuals improve speech and language production.

How can the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic help?

The UCF Communication Disorders Clinic offers services designed to assist individuals with accent reduction. Clinical educators are distinguished service providers as well as dedicated teachers and researchers who prepare the next generation of speech-language pathologists.

What is the evaluation procedure at the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic?

During an evaluation for accent reduction, the number and types of interferences as well as the ways in which the speaker reacts to and copes with English are noted. Assessments to measure knowledge and use of the English language may also be administered.

Please click on the link below to complete a case history form. The completed form can be faxed or mailed to the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic (see Contact Us). It cannot be sent back electronically due to privacy issues.

Accent Reduction Case History Form

What type of treatment is provided at the UCF Communication Disorders Clinic?

Therapy for accent reduction consists of the following:

• the Compton Program, Pronouncing English as a Second Language
• replication of words and sentences to improve critical listening, pronunciation and prosodic features
• vocabulary bombardment
• sentence and grammatical structure drills

For further information on accent reduction, visit: www.ajcomptonpesl.com/