Accent Reduction - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I notice that you offer this program either one-on-one or in a small group. Isn't it always better to be seen individually?
A: No, not necessarily. People tend to meet their goals more easily by taking a program with a group component, such as our small group program or our intensive program. In a group program, you practice your new speaking skills with other participants, not just with your instructor. In one-on-one programs, you must work harder to "transfer" your new speaking skills to situations outside of the instruction room.
Q: If, as you have said, a group component is important for most people, then why do you offer the option of taking this program on a one-on-one basis?
A: There are several situations in which individual instruction is better. For instance, you may have a work schedule that takes you out of town periodically or requires evening meetings on short notice. If so, you may miss too many group sessions to benefit from a group program; in this case, we would recommend that you take the program on an individual basis. Or, if your comprehension of English is not sufficient to keep up with the pace of the group program, we would recommend that you have one-on-one sessions. Or, it may be that you need to complete the program by a certain deadline that conflicts with our group schedule, in which case we will design a schedule that meets your individual needs.
Q: Can I try out a few sessions before I decide whether I want to pay for the whole program?
A: You are welcome to use our "pay as you go" option if you would like to try out a few sessions before committing to the full program. For our pre-paid group programs - which are priced at a discount rate - we ask clients to commit to the entire program in advance.
Q: Will my accent be completely gone when I finish the program?
A: No. Participants can improve pronunciation and learn to speak English with more confidence, but "accent elimination" is not a realistic goal. We advise you to set the goal of "pronunciation improvement."
Q: Will the other group members have the same language background as me and similar accents?
A: Probably not. Our groups include people from a wide variety of language backgrounds. Participants get to compare their original languages and enjoy interesting discussions about the challenges of pronouncing the sounds of Canadian English. Each person works towards goals set with instructors after the initial speech assessment.
Q: What kind of guarantee do you provide?
A: We provide no guarantee of outcome. Not only would it be contrary to our professional code of ethics to do so, it would not make sense; the single biggest factor in determining outcome is the effort that you put into the program yourself. This is, of course, beyond our control.