How Much Do Accent Reduction Classes Cost?

by Judy Ravin | | 

For many non-native speakers, accent reduction training is a valuable investment. Learning to speak with clarity and ease leads to job promotions, recognition as a subject matter expert, and opportunities to go from team member to team leader. But like every professional development endeavor, accent reduction classes aren’t free. They require either a time and/or monetary investment. How much do accent reduction classes cost? This blog post explores the various factors that influence cost and provides an overview of different options available.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Accent Reduction Classes

1. Type of Instruction: The cost varies depending on whether you choose self-study resources, group classes, or one-on-one sessions
2. Instructor Expertise: Highly experienced and certified instructors typically charge more for their services. Important questions to ask include:

1. • What is your educational experience as it relates to teaching the American accent? Do you have a post-graduate degree (MA or PhD) in TESL, speech-language pathology, or applied linguistics?
   • Do you speak another language in addition to English? This question is important. People who’ve learned another language tend to understand, first-hand, the process of acquiring the sounds of a second language that are missing from the person’s first language.
   • How do you customize the content of the classes, per client? You’ll want to make sure your accent reduction program isn’t “cookie-cutter” and meets your individual needs. No two accents are the same, nor should any two accent reduction programs be. For examples of how expert accent reduction coaches customize their classes to get their clients fast results, see the Ravin Method® in action.

1. Duration and Frequency: The length and frequency of sessions impact the overall cost. With a tried and true methodology, people make tremendous improvement in just five, hourly sessions. The key is to have a comprehensive pre-program assessment so the instructor teaches the sounds that will have the greatest impact on the learner’s improvement.
2. Location: Online accent reduction classes are typically less expensive than onsite classes. Why pay for travel time, either the instructor’s or your opportunity cost of going to the instructor?

Cost Breakdown by Type of Instruction

• Self-Study Resources. Self-study resources are the most affordable option and can often be free. These include YouTube Channels and Apps. The results likely aren’t comparable to live training with instructor feedback, but they can provide a solid launchpad for starting your journey. Here are 15 accent reduction mini-classes. They’re informative, easy to follow, and will take your pronunciation to a higher level.

• Live Sessions. This is the most personalized form of training, where a certified speech therapist or accent reduction coach works with you individually to target specific aspects of your accent. At Accents International, we consider a mispronunciation as a sound that’s literally ‘missing’. The job of an accent reduction coach is to fill in those missing sounds.

1. One-on-One Sessions. Personalized one-on-one classes are the most expensive but also the most effective. Rates can range from $20 to $200+ per hour, depending on the accent reduction coach’s level of expertise. If you’re going to pay for a premium accent reduction program, expect to make at least 70 percent improvement in ten hours or less of instruction. With a true expert, often five hourly classes are all that’s needed. You may be paying more per hour, but in the long run you could save an immeasurable amount of time, money, and aggravation. Achieving excellent results, including a promotion or new job, is often worth the monetary investment.

2. Group Sessions. Group sessions can be more affordable but less personalized. You’ll still receive individual guidance, but generally less feedback and guided practice. Unlike private accent reduction classes, group sessions may take longer to achieve the same results. However, there are some distinct advantages to group instruction; most notably, participants tend to tune their ear to the accents of their fellow participants and others in their professional sphere. Just as program participants begin to receive fewer requests to repeat themselves, they’ll find it easier to understand other people’s accents.

Additional Costs to Consider. When budgeting for accent reduction training, consider any additional costs that might arise:

• Materials: Some courses may require additional materials; for example, additional site license fees to online learning systems
• Software: Premium software tools for pronunciation practice may have subscription fees ranging from $5 to upwards of $99 per month, with pay-in-advance time commitments. Read the fine print!

Are Accent Reduction Classes Worth the Cost?

Investing in accent reduction classes pays dividends both professionally and personally. With excellent communication often comes increased professional opportunities and greater self-confidence in social interactions. Specific questions to ask yourself when evaluating if accent reduction classes are right for you include:

• Am I asked to repeat myself at meetings or when giving valuable information to others?
• Does my job require frequent communication with colleagues, clients, or patients?
• Do I avoid certain words because they’re difficult to pronounce?
• Does my heavy accent compromise my professional image?
• Would it help my career if I were to give more presentations to team members or industry leaders?
• Would speaking with greater clarity help me get a better paying job or promotion?
• Does being misunderstood or having people ask me to repeat what I’m saying make me feel less confident?
• Do I ever avoid public speaking or speaking with people I don’t know well because of my accent?
• Would having clear speech be a life skill that’d be valuable both professionally and personally? If so, how?

Accent reduction is a personal choice, and an investment in time and money takes serious consideration.  If you feel that acquiring the American accent can help you reach your goals – be they professional or social – accent reduction classes might be right for you. While the costs can vary, the long-term benefits often outweigh the expense. Perhaps the best question to ask yourself is, “What is the cost of not taking accent reduction classes?”

If you’d like to determine if accent reduction is worth it for you, please sign up for a free consultation here. I’d love to help!

Thank-you for visiting Accents International, your partner for Accent Reduction Classes and More!