FAQs

About our services

  • All classes are conducted live on Zoom. The Accent Evaluation is an initial session to give you a personalized pronunciation priority plan list of specific sounds that will make you sound clearer.

    The live 1:1 sessions are either 25 minutes or 50 minutes. Each session focuses on one specific sound. We start with the mouth mechanics, then work on words and sentences, and we follow up with natural conversation use. Each session ends with a review and you have an action plan for the week.

    The group classes are similar, except the sounds are not personalized to you.

  • Yes, other services are built into our accent programs including American slang and idioms, fine-tuning grammar, public speaking skills, fluency mindset, as well as voice quality practice. Please let us know what your goals are during the first class.

  • The first step of change is awareness. Most clients have never even thought about “American” English sounds or how to mimic them. After the first class, clients are often excited to practice. Keep in mind, improvement depends on your motivation level combined with the amount of time you dedicate to learning and practicing. It takes time for newly learned speech patterns to become more automatic when speaking American English. You will notice a difference in your perception after the first class. Most students notice a difference in their speech and listening after three months. However, English is a lifestyle, so you can always keep improving!

    ( read our blog post here about this)

Scheduling and Logistics

  • Please click on the “Book a Class” button. You will be re-directed to Yax Accent’s calendar. You may choose the type and length of your class according to your time zone. Please note payment is required to confirm class reservation. If you purchase a package of 8 classes, it will be valid to redeem for 5 months.

  • You may cancel or reschedule easily using the Yax Accent Calendar. Just refer to the email you received when you programmed the session and click on “reschedule”. You’ll be redirected to choose another date/time. Please note that classes need to be cancelled 24 hours (or more) to receive a full refund. If the class is cancelled with less than 24-hour notice, no refund is given.  Please be on time for your class, if you arrive 10 minutes late or do not show up, class is cancelled and no refund is made. You may reschedule any cancelled class within 30 days.  If the event that your Accent Coach needs to cancel, your will be informed and given the option of reschedule or receive full refund.

  • Once a class is scheduled, you will be directed to pay via PayPal or credit card. All lessons are paid for in advance. You can buy one session at a time or save money by purchasing a package. After you schedule and pay, you will get an email with a reciept. If you need a special invoice for company reinbursment, please include the details in the note section and we can accomodate that need.

About Pronunciation/Accent Training

  • You can modify your accent and be easily understood through training. However, it’s very difficult to “lose it” completely. Research shows that people who learn a second-language after puberty, often do not acquire native-like pronunciation due to neurological factors. The good news is that it is possible to soften your accent at least 50 to 70% or more depending on your time effort, your goals, and your motivation level. The result is that people will focus less on your accent and more on what you have to say. Rather than “speaking like an American”, remember that the goal is to have a clear, confident, powerful voice!

  • Not at all. This training will teach you how to use American pronunciation in situations when you want to be understood more easily. A more neutral accent is highly valued in the U.S. workplace. Accent is one of the factors that influences people's perception of foreigners in a society including the workplace. Employers often require good communication skills in their employees and having a softened accent as opposed to a “thick” accent boosts effectiveness. This type of training is designed for your to be proud of your voice in English!

Why Accent Training?

Watch this short video to learn more.