It's been interesting to read all the comments about accent  reduction.  I 
very much agree that our intent is not to eliminate one's  accent - and to have 
our students "sound the way we do".   What a bland, robotic world that would 
be.  Accents are truly beautiful and  I make it clear to my students that I 
hope they choose to keep much of  their accents.    
 
As the feedback has shown, many of us respect the  desire of our students to 
be understood.  As one of my students once said  to me, "you gave me freedom!"
 
Sometimes all it takes is helping with a few key  sounds, and, as someone 
said, reminding them to slow  down. 
 
 -Oh, and I agree, Andres, to work on enunciation, even  if they don't 
wanna...
 
Julie
 
 
Julie N. Baker
Workforce Skills Development
13805 Shaker  Blvd., Suite #4A
Cleveland, Ohio  44120
216-561-1629
jbaker3439 at aol.com



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