HOW IMPORTANT IS A "GOOD ACCENT"?

What is an accent?

Everybody has an accent, no matter where you live. A language accent can have many different types of variations, called dialects, which indicate where in your country of origin you are from. When learning a foreign language, a good accent can help you connect to the culture of the country of the language you are studying. However, is a perfect accent necessary to start speaking conversationally? Absolutely not.

You don’t have to have a "native" accent

Don’t forget that learning to speak a second language takes intelligence. Even if your accent isn’t perfect, people will be impressed you can hold a conversation in a foreign language. Besides, most speakers actually don’t have a ‘native’ accent! There are usually way more language learners than native speakers. So instead of being embarrassed, wear your accent as a badge of honour for all the hard work you’ve put into learning.

Embracing your accent can help you meet people and create a positive first impression

Most people will be curious to know where you’re from. They’ll say something like: “I like your accent. Where are you from?” While it can get a bit annoying being asked the same question so many times, it does break the ice. That means you’ll never be short of things to talk about, making it easier to get to know people and to communicate with them. Remember that native speakers most often won’t judge you for making mistakes - they’ll be happy you’re learning their language! 

How to improve pronunciation

While the goal and purpose of learning a new language is communication with other people, there are some techniques that can help you develop an accent (if that’s what you want). The most important one is language immersion and having frequent conversations with a native speaker. In other words, listen to the language and speak as much as possible - consistency beats talent every time. Beyond that, you can also find music you enjoy and sing along - it’s a fun and natural way to develop an accent.

Conclusion

There are lots of reasons why learning an authentic accent is useful when learning a new language. However, the key aspect of learning a language is to communicate with other people. Accent is something you can improve over time. It shouldn’t be a barrier to using your new language skills. Sometimes it’s enough to be able to order coffee and be understood - so take the pressure off and enjoy the process ꨄ︎