ARI provides individual assessments to people who are concerned that their accent interferes with effective communication. Many people know they have a language barrier, but they don't know why.
ARI assessments help answer the following questions:
- Why do people ask me to repeat myself?
- I've studied English for many years; why do I still have difficulty pronouncing American sounds, words, and phrases?
- I score highly on English language tests and yet I still have trouble expressing myself. I lack confidence. How can an American accent assessment help me?
Our English Pronunciation Assessment: Starting with the Language Barriers
Determining the causes of a language barrier is the first step to improving your pronunciation.
- ARI's assessments identify the aspects of a speaker's accent that cause his/her language barrier.
- ARI assessments are phonologically representative and target the core components of pronunciation fluency: vowels, consonants, and foundational patterns of rhythm, stress and intonation.
These are the essential pieces that bring about clear speech.
The American Accent Assessment Process
How does an American accent assessment work?
- You'll record a phonologically representative text to be analyzed and scored for errors. These may include mispronounced vowels and consonants, inaccurate syllable stress, improper linking, and omitted sounds.
- A 45 minute consultation is scheduled with a senior ARI accent specialist. Consultations can be provided on-site at ARI, via teleconferencing, or using ARI's global, virtual classroom.
- Having identified which areas need improvement, instruction to guide self-study is given for each sound and speech pattern.
- A comprehensive report is sent post consultation. This includes an individualized development plan for use with ARI's computer based learning program, American Pronunciation: Core Techniques for Success (included).
American Pronunciation is a complete auditory and visual learning system. It includes a textbook, interactive DVD, and CD-ROM.
ARI's assessment process lets people take the first step to speaking with an American accent. Targeting an individual's specific needs is the key to making rapid progress and noticeable improvement.