Navigating accent diversity

Did you know that around one-fifth of the world's population speaks English today, even though for most of them it’s not their first language? As a l lingua franca, English naturally absorbs influences from various cultures, making accents a unique marker of identity. However, no matter how diverse the accents are, we still need to understand each other. How can we ensure intelligibility? The best way is to be aware of typical pronunciation features that could create barriers to communication.

This was the focus of the AWC online workshop "Accent diversity and how to navigate It", led by Tatiana Skopintseva on November 25. Participants discussed what pronunciation features typical of Russian-speaking users of English could hinder communication. They had a lot of pronunciation practice and worked on some of the trickiest English sounds to boost confidence and intelligibility. 

Here is what participants shared:

• “The workshop was exceptionally informative, well-prepared, and expertly produced. It included a wealth of examples and engaging tasks that truly enhanced the learning experience.”
• “I particularly appreciated the tips on pronunciation and the emphasis that an accent is not a flaw but rather an identity feature.”

Don’t miss Tatiana Skopintseva's upcoming workshop, "Cultural diversity and how to navigate it", where we’ll discuss strategies for effective communication in a multicultural environment. The workshop will take place next Monday, so it’s right time to register. We look forward to seeing you there!