You are searching Italki for a new teacher, what accent do you prefer?
I am a native English speaker with a southern UK accent and many of my students comment on how clear my language is.
Of course, a clear voice and well pronounced words can help you hear each sound clearly but is it more to do with what you are accustomed to?
I've heard many Spanish students comment that they prefer the Irish accent due to its stronger 'R' sound, similar to their own.
I've spoken to Korean students that prefer the American accent as they have grown up watching movies and television, listening to the rhythm and roll of the US accent. A student recently told me that many teachers from the UK change their accent to sound more American to keep their students happy.
What do you think?
Do you prefer a type of accent or do you like to work with teachers from around the world to gain experience from a wide range of voices, accents and pronunciations?
Phi: "I can imagine some poor Asian students with a super strong bush Australian accent, or a super strong Southern American drawl, and that their school administrators prefer that over a non-native teacher who speaks with a neutral accent."
I'm curious just exactly what this magical 'neutral accent' sounds like. And from whom it was learned.
Hi Sarah,
I came across your post and I have to laugh a little. It reminds me of seeing various posts from different countries looking for English language teachers, "must be a native speaker (American, English, New Zealand, Australian, or South African...". I can imagine some poor Asian students with a super strong bush Australian accent, or a super strong Southern American drawl, and that their school administrators prefer that over a non-native teacher who speaks with a neutral accent.
Well, I think to say American accent or English accent perhaps would be an over generalisation. The UK and the US are big countries with many regional accent variations, some regions have stronger accents than others even for the locals. The New York accent is very different from an Alabama accent, and I'm sure it's the same say Liverpool and Bristol (sorry my knowledge of UK cities is poor, I had to look up the map). I have met people who tried to mimic a hoity toity English accent or a cool American accent to the point of being unclear.
For teaching I think clear pronunciation is most important, perhaps the only thing that matters. Then not so much English versus American, but rather neutral versus strong accent, think the BBC or VoA radio. I personally prefer the English pronunciation and intonation, and the slight Irish and Scottish accents very nice to listen to, charming to say the least.
Hi there,
You questions are really exciting. As a English learner, I'm speaking English with American accent ( well I guess...). Hollywood movies and music have a strong effect on me.The funny thing is I have a crush on British accent as well, especially people who come from London. I tried to speak English with Britsh accent but It seemed so awkward. I dont know why but It seems very special by the way it is. I just couldnt take it.
As my experiences, I dont think type of accents is matter and I do want to have more experiences to work with teachers from around the world.
Until a bit ago, I couldn't hear any accent except a British accent of my favourite podcast's publisher, who is an English teacher from London, so I liked his accent best. Honestly, I wasn't confident enough to try to know how native English speakers speak and I too much tried to simplify what I was trying to learn. But now I'm ready to accept there is a huge variety of accents in the world because I'm getting used to a few of them. I like them all. I'm really looking forward to getting to know more accents. Plus, accents are really important sides of each culture. I'll never expect anybody including teachers to speak with a different accent from their own ones.
