• Accent Reduction Training
  
  
• Executive Speech and Voice Improvement Training
  
  
• School Age Speech and Language Topics
  
  
• General Business and Financial Questions

Accent Reduction

Why is my speech accented?

After learning a new language most people will speak it with an accent.  The reason why this happens is because your brain is comparing the new sounds to the sounds it already knows from your first language.  When a sound is completely new such as /th/ or a particular vowel sound, your brain will make the best approximation it can to say the sound correctly. Therefore, when the target sound is mispronounced the result is speech that is accented.

Accent reduction is an achievable goal.  It is a myth that you will need to learn several new sounds. Many of the American consonant and vowel sounds already exist in your native language. The difference is a matter of learning new habits and behaviors based on the Standard American Speech model.  Once you have identified what it is you want to change, implementing a new habit will give you clear and professional sounding speech.  Call us for a complementary evaluation to profile your speech patterns and discuss your goals.

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Why do people choose to lose their accent?

People choose to reduce or eliminate their accent for a variety of reasons.

• People pursue accent reduction if they feel others are having difficulty understanding them.  Studies show that a listener will stop saying “what?” or ask for clarification after the second time. After that, the situation becomes awkward.

• Some accented speakers feel self-conscious or have less confidence and refrain from speaking situations if they feel there is a language barrier. There is a misperception that if someone is having trouble speaking the language then they must have trouble understanding it, which you know is not true. Perceptions like this can interfere with professional advancement or unfairly reduce someone’s level of credibility.

• Sometimes people who lecture, negotiate or conduct business get frustrated when asked, “Where are you from?” or, “Your accent is so cute!” These types of comments can be frustrating to accented speakers and in addition, when a listener is distracted by someone’s accent it can move them away from the primary message.  This can be a larger issue when business is conducted over the telephone. 

• Studies have shown that some people make an association with status in class and accented speech. Some people perceive certain accents to be in a lower economic class when compared to individuals who do not have accented speech.

• Many people simply choose to eliminate their accent to blend in more with the American culture.  Whatever the reason is, reducing or eliminating an accent is achievable and Speech and Voice Enterprises will work with you to achieve every goal.

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Will an accent reduction program work for me?

Accent Reduction Will Work For You!

Our program will teach you the Standard American Speech model.  This is the model that represents the official spoken language for the Untied States.  It is also the model for professional and career speech patterns. Sometimes it is referred to as career speech, speaking like a CEO or sounding like a news broadcaster. Clear and articulate speech is critical when conducting business, negotiating, lecturing or participating in any communication interaction. Standard American Speech does not represent a specific region, origin or community.  It is considered to be non-accented so when spoken correctly the listener could not identify the region or origin of the speaker.

Successful accent reduction is not about learning a long list of new sounds.  It is about having increased awareness of your speech patterns and using new habits. By having awareness of the sounds you want to make and using new habits, clear speech will come with practice.  At Speech and Voice Enterprises your result will be clear and understandable speech where you will look forward to speaking in personal and professional situations with great confidence!

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Can a company not hire or promote me due to my speech patterns?

Companies can set standards for communication based on a 1991 Supreme Court decision.  If an individual does not meet communication standards, companies do have the right to dismiss, not offer a position or promote someone based on their speaking style when it has been determined that their speech is an interfering factor.

If you feel your speech is impacting your professional development, Speech and Voice Enterprises will work with you and offer strategies that will immediately improve the clarity of your speech after a few sessions.

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Is it more difficult losing and Asian or Spanish accent compared to Northern European speakers?

No. Studies demonstrate that there is no relationship on the type or region of one’s accent and the ability to change it. Losing an accent is simply learning new sounds and speech habits. The origin of the language is not a factor for you to experience success with your accent reduction program. Speech and Voice Enterprises has extensive experience with many dialects and will assist you with improving your American speech.

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I do not have a formal education. Can I still master American Speech?

Yes. Studies demonstrate that there is no relationship between level of education and the ability to lose an accent and improve American speech. People with an 8th grade education and someone who holds a Ph.D., can eliminate an accent at the same rate. It is not about intelligence, it’s about practice. Learning American speech successfully is a matter of having awareness of your sounds, learning new habits and practice.  All that is required is having a good command for the English language in terms of vocabulary and grammar and having reading comprehension for newspaper articles. Speech and Voice Enterprises offers a free consultation to determine if accent reduction is right for you so your time and money is never wasted.

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Adult Speech and Voice Training

How would speech or voice training benefit or improve my career?

Improving your speech and voice quality can make a big difference on how you are perceived by others.  Many individuals speak in a pitch that is too high, thin or nasal. Often individuals with these voice qualities are judged as being too young or not confident or competent enough for management or leadership positions. The perception is that they do not measure up as strong when compared to people who have a rich and commanding voice quality. Think of the voice quality of male and female news broadcasters. Does their voice sound nasal or thin to you?

Speech and Voice Enterprises will profile your speech and voice skills and immediately offer strategies that will improve your voice quality and speaking styles while improving your confidence and leadership status. Vocal coaching and speech therapy will teach you how to speak in your ideal pitch range while naturally projecting your voice for more commanding vocal tones. You will learn how to organize and present information concisely even when put on the spot without warning.  Anxiety that interferes with your message will be eliminated. You will also learn how to speak with clear articulation and diction. When you are talented and have expertise, sharing your knowledge should be exciting and fun. Your speaking skills and voice quality are the most important factors for communication especially in a professional setting. Speech and Voice Enterprises will teach you how to sound like a polished and professional speaker in just a few sessions.

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What is a typical voice coach or speech coach training session like?

A typical voice and speech coaching session at Speech and Voice Enterprises is high energy, direct and geared for your specific needs, goals and interests.  We will incorporate your daily routine, professional obligations and the typical things you say each day into your program so it is functional and custom tailored to meet your speech and voice requirements. It makes more sense to work around your professional script and daily obligations than to do “general speech and voice activities.” We are experts at identifying what is essential to your goals and creating a plan around your lifestyle so you will quickly achieve your goals and move forward with your plans.

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Would my company cover the cost for speech and voice lessons?

Often many employers will cover the cost as a part of their training program since these skills relate to many job descriptions and expectations. Ask your employer or human resource specialist.

If your employer in unable to finance the program, often many tax accountants feel the program fee is an appropriate tax deduction since this for professional training and education.  You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of your program. Ask your tax consultant about the deduction.

• The good news is Speech and Voice Enterprises has a variety of payment options. If you truly want to reduce your accent or improve your speech and voice skills, our flexible fee schedules will allow that to happen.

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My throat frequently hurts and my speech always sounds horse and breathy. Should I see a speech therapist for this?

First it would be best to consult and ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) to rule out a specific voice disorder. After an evaluation and diagnosis it would then be determined if it is appropriate to begin therapy with a speech-language pathologist.

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Is it really a true statistic that more people are afraid of death than public speaking?

Yes! This poll is done frequently and it is the same every time. More people are afraid of public speaking than death or even being diagnosed with cancer!  It baffles my mind that millions of people feel this way. It truly can be easy and fun to speak with or in front of people with confidence. Once you learn a few simple tricks and strategies about breathing, where to place your voice for a rich vocal tone and eliminating anxiety you will want to seek out opportunity to speak with or in front of people. Call us for a free consultation on to learn how to speak with others while enjoying yourself at the same time!

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School Age Speech and Language Topics

How can I tell if my child has signs of a speech or language delay?

A child may need to receive support from a speech-language pathologist if he or she is having difficulty with receptive and/or expressive language, has difficulty with speech sounds, is frustrated in classroom or is having difficulty experiencing academic success.

A receptive language delay may be suspected if your child appears to have difficulty understanding or following directions.  Some children with a receptive language delay may follow simple commands but have trouble with more complex information.  This may be due to processing issues or delayed vocabulary and concept development, which may affect your child’s ability to fully understand information and general language.

A child may have an expressive language delay if he or she points or gestures to make a need known.  Some children may guide an adult by the hand to show them what they want.  If your child has a few vocalizations this may also be a sign.  Behavioral issues may appear because your child is frustrated that they cannot communicate their message.

Other signs:

• Uses mostly vowels to communicate
• Limited vocabulary at 2 years of age
• Frequent errors with sounds and speech at 2 ½ -3 years of age
• Will substitute easier sounds for more difficult ones at 4 years of age
• Frequently uses incorrect grammar at age 5 years of age
• Does not produce most speech sounds correctly by 5 years of age
• Will speak with sound, word or phrase repetitions

If you suspect a speech or language concern with your child consult your pediatrician, school district or neighborhood speech language pathologist.  They should be able to answer your questions and determine the next appropriate step.

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When should my child have understandable speech sounds?

A speech evaluation may be warranted by 3 years of age if your child has frequent errors and their speech is difficult to understand.  Certainly by 5 years of age, children should be able to produce the majority of their sounds or at least have their messages understood. There are a few sounds that are difficult for some children to pronounce which are /R/, /S/, and /L/. These sounds require more precise fine motor skills.  Children also have difficulty with consonant clusters which are 2 sounds blended together to create one sound such as /tr/ in truck or /st/ in street. Some children in kindergarten may still exhibit difficulty with some scattered sounds which is fine but for the most part, by age 5 children should have most of their sounds with only a few noticeable errors.

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What is a typical speech therapy session like at Speech and Voice Enterprises?

A good session will be fun and goal directed.  A typical session will be rich with vocabulary development, incorporate reading to promote speech sounds and reading readiness and have direct relevancy to your child’s day by incorporating some of your child’s classroom themes into the sessions. Many of the lessons or done through arts and crafts, cooking or baking or play-based activities. For children who have oral-motor, issues therapeutic exercises are taught.  At the end of the session, additional practice and a homework calendar is sent home to promote carryover of newly learned skills.

What makes Speech and Voice Enterprises different is that we contact and involve classroom teachers and other influential people (i.e., coaches, child care providers etc.) so they can reinforce strategies or use the same language provided in the sessions to promote goal achievement. Parents are always encouraged to observe the session to learn how to model speech and language to reinforce growth at home. It is our mission to identify needs and demonstrate progress through functional activities that focus on life and community skills as well as academic curriculum.  Call us today to learn about our diverse programs.

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My Child is being treated by a speech specialist in their school. Is that different from a speech-language pathologist?

Yes! Yes! Yes! Always be certain to ask what are the specific qualifications of the individual treating your child.  There has been a national shortage of speech-language pathologists along with budgetary shortfalls in special education for years.  In a effort to fill positions, save money and service students, positions for speech aides or speech specialists have been created.  Typically these professionals have a 2 year degree and ZERO clinical experience.  They DO NOT hold a state license to practice speech language pathology. They have received significantly less training and their role is to offer “support”. CAUTION: The American Speech Language Hearing Association technically uses the term “speech pathologists” so some school districts will use the term “speech therapists”. They will even sign the report as a speech therapist.  A legitimate speech language pathologist will include their title and their credentials in their report and be prepared to show you their license and national certification by the National Speech Language Hearing Association.  It would be Freud for a non-licensed speech para-professional to refer to themselves as speech-language pathologist, which is the nationally recognized term.  When in doubt, ask if a speech-language pathologist is servicing your child. You can always verify licensure through the state.

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What are some signs of stuttering and how is it managed in speech therapy?

Your child may be stuttering if he or she makes partial or entire word repetitions.  Also some children many be stuck on a particular sound at the beginning of a word.  It is often a struggle for children who stutter to coordinate smooth speech.  With children as young as 6 or earlier, the approach to therapy is very indirect for the child. The emphasis is play based and the speech therapy will focus on the habits of speaking with smooth speech. Much of the focus is directed toward the parent(s) and the home environment. Many young children who stutter are unaware of their speech difficulty and continue with their talking uninhibited.  It is critical to identify stuttering behavior early and have it addressed before your child becomes older and the speaking behavior becomes reinforced into habit.  When a child realizes he or she stutters or is teased children may withdraw from talking and suffer social emotional harm.  It is critical to manage stuttering early in life before it becomes debilitating or overwhelming for your child in the pre teen or adolescent years.

There are things you can do when stuttering behavior is observed

1. When your child stutters give him your full attention and show your interest in your child’s topic.  Continue with maintaining eye contact and never finish your child’s statements for him.  This may cause a miscommunication or have your child feel like he failed.

2. Avoid statements such as, “It’s okay”, while someone is stuttering.  This causes frustration and brings attention to the behavior.  Continue to show patience and allow your child to finish expressing their thoughts.
   
   
3. If there are siblings in the home, schedule special private time for you and your child who stutters to have a pleasant and positive talking experience.  Discuss the day or enjoy a book or toy together.  This is private time for talking so your child will not feel like he or she has to compete to talk or have fear of being interrupted.
   
   
4. Encourage the rule of “No Interrupting” when people are talking at home.  Reinforce that everyone is allowed a turn to talk and that it is important to wait patiently and show interest.  Many young children who stutter feel they have to compete to talk creating behaviors that cause speech to not be fluent or smooth.

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When can I expect my child to sit and enjoy a book?

At 21 months children can identify shapes or familiar objects when given a choice.  Vocabulary and language development grows rapidly.  At this time many children will have patience to pay attention to a book for a brief period.  Some children will begin to point and share with you what they know. Reading is one of the best ways to foster and facilitate language development. The time together should be special and fun.

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What age is appropriate for children to play board games?

Usually by 5 years of age.  Between the ages of 2 and 3 years, children are possessive of what belongs to them.  The concept of taking turns does not begin to develop until 3 years of age.  By are 4, children begin to play cooperatively with other children.  It is not until age 5 that children understand the concept of “rules”.  If your child does not have an understanding of rules and consequences, and is not yet playing cooperatively with other children, then it may be best to wait until your child is older to avoid frustration. Board games should be fun!

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When should I consider exposing my child to a second language?

This is a controversial issue and no two language experts will probably report the same information.  Much has been written, discussed and debated over this topic.  There are many articles and studies available on this subject. Listed below are two general agreements on when to introduce a second language to a child.

• Introducing the second language at birth

Studies demonstrate that a child will do best learning a second language at the same time when the primary language is consistently modeled by one parent and the other parent models the second language.  With this approach, your child can associate one language with each parent.  Both parents switching back and fourth between languages would be confusing for your child to recognize which sounds and vocabulary are associated with which language.  Be Aware: When a child is exposed to 2 languages simultaneously there WILL be a delay in both languages at one point during the development. However, MOST children can recover from this delay on their own and return to age expectations in both languages by the early school years. 

• Learning a second language after 5 years of age

Many studies suggest exposing your child to a second language after age 5 is ideal because by that age most children have good mastery of developing speech sounds, grammar and vocabulary.  Studies suggest that the brain is well maturated for learning additional languages up to 12 years of age.  After 12 years, it becomes more effortful for the brain to remember the rules of grammar and specific vocabulary.  It also becomes more difficult to produce new sounds that do not exists in the first language.

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Will exposing my child to sign language accelerate their vocabulary development?

Studies show this is helpful for children who have a language delay but has no effect with children developing language at a normal rate.  Exposure to sign language for children with a language delay is helpful because saying a word while providing the sign gives the child a visual image to complement the verbal stimulation. The additional prompt is beneficial because the child is receiving 2 opportunities to process the vocabulary concept through auditory and visual stimulation. Many of the American signs are good meaningful symbols for vocabulary and complement the verbal stimulation as another reinforcement toward concept development.

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My child has frequent speech errors, what can I do to help improve his or her speech?

As children are developing language skills and speech sounds normal errors will occur along the way.  During this time of development a child may say,”I ranned after him” or “I like dat tuck”. Avoid pointing out the error by saying, “That’s not how you say it.” or “You said that wrong.” Statements this direct can cause a child to feel badly about their mistake and not feel comfortable experimenting with their new speech and language.  Another approach is to model the correct form in a way that is natural and not obvious that an error was made.  Simply give a reply by modeling, You ran after him? Good for you or “That is the truck you like?” In both cases modeling the correct forms of speech and language made the correction.  Studies demonstrate that modeling is an effective method for fostering speech and language development.

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Thumb sucking seems like an innocent habit.  Why is there so much concern?

Thumb sucking looks cute and innocent but is actually a harmful habit with serious consequences affecting the oral structures resulting in expensive orthodontic work and significant issues affecting speech production.  When an object is inside the mouth there is no place for the tongue to properly rest.  As a result the tongue will push against the teeth or the roof of the mouth.  The result of this behavior is teeth spreading or developing in angles.  The roof of the mouth may become narrow or too wide creating a poorly formed arch.  Speech, chewing and swallowing are almost always affected because these structures in the mouth have changed and are not in the proper alignment. Often children who suck on their thumb or fingers or any type of object will be unable to pronounce many sounds resulting in unclear speech and communication.  In addition, there may be issues with managing foods and liquids affecting eating, drinking and swallowing.  When the habit continues into school many children experience social and emotional harm from teasing.

Good News for Parents! Children can easily discontinue thumb sucking behavior in as fast as one day! Fun positive approaches have been developed which gives children the power to stop.  When the program is completed, children feel empowered and their self-esteem is boosted since they accomplished their goal and no longer has their thumb in their mouth.

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What is tongue thrusting?

The term “tongue thrusting” is outdated and not currently used by professionals such as dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and speech therapists.  The current term used to describe a child who is considered to be a “tongue thruster” is oral myofunctional or orofacial mycology impaired. WOW, What a mouthful!!! These terms were chosen because they better describe the functional relationship of the muscles in the mouth, face and neck that assist with talking, chewing and swallowing.  The old term suggests that the tongue moves forward in the mouth, thrusting against the teeth.  The relationship among the structures is more complex than that. There are many reasons why children may have weakness in these structures.  When children receive help in this area, the most current term used is oral myofunctional therapy or oral facial myology therapy.  These are fancy words for describing treatment of the structures in the face, head and neck involved in improving speech and eating. Call us today if you feel your child has weakness with their oral or facial muscles.

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What are the signs and symptoms that my child may have weakness with their facial, mouth and neck muscles?

Some signs may include low or soft muscle tone in the face. The lips may look weak or soft without tone. Some lips may project a wider shape or project outward. Drooling or a frequent wet lip may be observed.  Many children with oral facial weakness or low tone have “cute puffy cheeks”. The tongue may rest on the lips instead of the proper tongue resting position.  A puffy, tired allergic look may also be a sign of oral facial weakness.

Some children who have weak oral structures will struggle with food textures and choose not to eat them resulting in a limited diet and frustrated parents. Eating becomes hard work and there is no pleasure experienced from the meal. Children are not motivated to eat. Examples of difficult textures are: rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, meat, hard cookies, big pretzels or food that has more than one texture such as cereal and milk or vegetable soup. They also can be perceived as having bad table manners by having their fingers in their mouth to move food around or by making smacking and slurping sounds while eating.

Good News! These signs and symptoms may sound very concerning however; all of these issues can be managed with fun play-based exercises that are designed to improve strength and coordination of the oral facial structures and speech sounds.  If you have concern, consult your dentist, orthodontist or neighborhood speech therapist for recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions for you.

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Why is speech affected when there are weaknesses with oral facial muscles?

Speech production is a fine motor skill that uses muscles from the respiratory system, throat, jaw, lips, tongue and facial muscles.  Where there is weakness, the muscles may not have enough strength and coordination to accurately make the correct sound.  When a child has weak oral and facial muscles there may be errors with several speech sounds. They may also omit the beginning and final sounds of words, omit syllables in a word or compensate for their errors by inventing their own sound system. If your child has speech that is difficult to understand at 2 ½ - 3 years of age, you may want to consider a consultation with a speech-language pathologist for recommendations.

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General Business and Financial

Do you have payment options?

Yes. There are many flexible schedules to meet your needs. Services can be paid at the time of the appointment, one time monthly or programs can be paid in full with a discount.  Methods of payment are cash, check and credit card. If you are committed to a program, we will find a way for it to be financially feasible.

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Are discounts available?

Yes. Discounts are available when programs are paid in full.  Discounts are also available for group sessions and corporate workshops.

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How quickly can I expect to see progress?

Progress should always be continual. A skilled therapist will provide you or your child a strategy or plan to begin to experience success at the beginning of the program.  Also your program should always be revisited every 4 weeks to measure progress.  If you or your child is not experiencing any success, the timing or therapist may not be right for you. Work with a therapist that will immediately recognize your needs and provide you with tools and strategies that will allow you to experience success.

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Would my company cover the cost for speech, voice or accent reduction lessons?

Often many employers will cover the cost as a part of their training program since these skills relate to many job descriptions and expectations. Ask your employer or human resource specialist.

If your employer in unable to finance the program, often many tax accountants feel the program fee is an appropriate tax deduction since this for professional training and education.  You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of your program. Ask your tax consultant about the deduction.

• The good news is Speech and Voice Enterprises has a variety of payment options. If you truly want to reduce your accent or improve your speech and voice skills, our flexible fee schedules will allow that to happen.

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What if I can’t make a session?

To cancel an appointment 24-hour notice is required to avoid paying for the session. Evening hour appointments are in high demand and often when notice is provided someone else can have that time slot or the therapist can utilize her time differently. As soon as you know you can’t make an appointment please let us know.

When notice is given 24 hours in advance your appointment is rescheduled at a time convenient with you. Absences can be rescheduled up to one year from the program start date.

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How can I verify the qualifications of my speech therapist?

Speech-language pathologists have a minimum of a Master’s Degree for their level of education.  They must hold a current license from the state and it should be visible for review. It is not required, but many therapists are members of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, the national organization for speech-language pathologists.

When looking for a speech therapist, ask about experience.  If you are being asked to pay a competitive rate for service, be certain the therapist has the skill level worthy of that rate.  A therapist should have at least 7 years of experience before working in the private industry to ensure a quality level of experience and skill level.  Also inquire about university associations, publications, political involvement in the field or if they speak nationally on a topic in their field. Ask them what their primarily level of expertise is before sharing the kind of therapist you would like to have. Finding the right therapist to meet your needs is an important decision to avoid wasting time, money or disrupting your routine.

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Why doesn't medical insurance cover the expense of speech therapy services for children?

In the late 1970’s a federal law was passed stating that children who have a speech and language impairment will receive support from their public school system when it is determined that it interferers with their academic growth.  Therefore, insurance companies will not pay for these services since it is the schools responsibility. Insurance companies will sometimes pay for services when a medical diagnosis is involved. Since the public school system is officially responsible, it is their job to evaluate and provide services.  The public school system is swamped with eligible children. Most services are delivered through group therapy and a student will only qualify for as long as it is determined that the speech and/or language impairment is interfering with academic growth. For children who have articulation issues, their school may not address those skills if it does not interfere with academic performance. If you feel your child is not making adequate or continual progress you may want to consider contacting a private speech and language therapist.

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REGISTER HERE TO RECEIVE A FREE WEEKLY TIP ON HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SPEECH TODAY

Call today for your complementary accent reduction screening to learn how to lose your accent with a program that works!
Speech and Voice Enterprises

Speech and Voice Enterprises
22344 E. Kenyon Place
Aurora, Colorado 80018
Phone: 303-330-3309
Fax: 303-862-9770

Visit the bookstore for Accent Reduction 101 and other speech and voice products.