Book Description

This is the 3rd edition of the world-acclaimed The American Accent Guide. The American Accent Guide provides comprehensive training on the standard American accent. The materials for this program consist of a book and accompanying streaming audio. The book provides a link and an access code for the audio, which can then be streamed on any digital device. The methods and principles of this program are based on the belief that an efficient way to become a clear and effective speaker in a non-native language is to gain an understanding of the phonology (sound system) of that language. The American Accent Guide addresses the entire sound system of American English and gives thorough attention to each of its elements. These elements are: Intonation Stress Rhythm Individual vowel sounds Individual consonant sounds The program found in The American Accent Guide addresses each of these elements through a variety of engaging, interactive exercises that use everyday language in situations ranging from casual to technical and from informal to professional. The American Accent Guide is divided into eight sections, each of which contains its own numbering sequence and audio. Each section addresses a complete and distinct aspect of the American accent, so the student can potentially study each part independently. Although each section is complete in and of itself, exercises do reinforce skills addressed in previous sections. This makes studying the program in the order presented the most effective way to both understand the concepts and practice and improve one's accent. By the end of the course, learners will possess a clear idea of how to process the American accent and have the basic speaking tools required to express it. They will also be prepared to continue building their accent skills through purposeful listening to the way that native speakers of American English communicate. Who is The American Accent Guide for? Typical users of The American Accent Guide include universities, colleges, language schools, speech-language pathologists, ESL instructors, and individual learners. The program is appropriate for students representing all foreign language backgrounds, given that they possess at least a low-intermediate command of the English language. The Approach The American Accent Guide introduces the elements of American English speech in the most logical sequence, integrating each of them into natural contexts. It takes a highly complex accent system and makes it easy to understand. While practicing new speech patterns, the learner gains awareness of the underlying rules of the American English sound system. These insights facilitate continued improvement and increased fluency in standard American English. The Dialect The dialect used in The American Accent Guide is standard American English, sometimes referred to as "General American." This accent is heard widely throughout parts of the United States and Canada; it is the preferred standard in North American news media and movies. Exercises in The American Accent Guide reflect the communication style of American culture, and they incorporate common idioms and colloquialisms used frequently in everyday situations. The Audio The American Accent Guide is accompanied by clear audio featuring a mix of male and female speakers of standard American English. Audio track markers are easily located in small circles throughout the text. The entire book is available in audio form, and the program can be followed using the audio independently should the student wish to use it that way. Changes to the New Edition This new 3rd edition of The American Accent Guide builds upon the successes of the previous editions. It includes revisions with new ideas, more exercises, and a new, expanded section on the topic of word stress."