Very few language learners do not want to emulate the pronunciation of some
native speaker group. That is the model, whether it is achieved or not. Very
few native speakers of a language do not react more positively, at least
initially, to a person speaking in a familiar or native accent, even though
in time this initial impression can be overcome.

So it is not necessarily helpful to pretend that learners do not want to
reduce their accent nor that it is unimportant. It is useful to tell
learners that they should not be unduly preoccupied about their accent, but
to suggest that it does not matter is not, in my view, a good idea.

One of the best ways to reduce an accent is to listen repeatedly to a
limited amount of content. Repeating along, with an emphasis on rhythm and
intonation is particularly helpful. It can also be helpful to memorize short
paragraphs and repeat them often.And of course it is important to relax and
not worry about one's accent even as we try to improve.

I am not American, but If and when people with Hispanic ancestry become the
majority in the US, most of them will likely speak English with the same
accent as their neighbours and fellow citizens of other different
ancestries.

Steve Kaufmann
www.thelinguist.com
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