Classes are conducted in a personable and relaxed setting, face-to-face or via Skype.

 

Course Information

I trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School not only in accent and dialect work but also in RP, elocution and voice production for the stage.

Since 2008, in addition to my acting work, I have been coaching clients in RP (Received Pronunciation) which is akin to the standard BBC accent. In addition, I work with clients on all aspects of elocution including clarity and accent softening/reduction. My clients include a range of non-native English speakers who want to change/soften their accent to fit in more at their place of work as well as in social situations; to do this, I help them to soften their accent and to produce a more English/RP sound.

I have also been teaching my clients skills in how to communicate more effectively in terms of presentations and public speaking within their businesses. This includes work on aspects of clarity and expression to really engage the listener.

Additionally clients include native English speakers who want to change their accent to fit in, not only socially with the RP speakers around them, but also in business situations such as how to communicate effectively at meetings and in other work related situations.

Course Objectives

• Learning RP/BBC English
• The softening/reduction of your accent
• Speech clarity work and effective communication skills
• Voice modulation and expression
• Key Presentation skills and speaking with confidence

How is this achieved?

Through precision teaching of the correct formation of all the vowel and consonant sounds of the English language or RP speech.

 

My classes in more detail

• We will cover correct intonation and stress patterns to get a true English or RP sound.
• I offer one to one or group classes online only at the moment; the classes are usually an hour in length.
• After just one session you will immediately start making progress.
 

My methods for accent reduction and elocution include:

• The teaching of phonetics, showing you the correct shaping of your mouth and lips and your placement of the tongue in relation to the teeth in order to produce the sounds of English/RP with complete clarity and understanding.
• The use of a voice recorder in order to assess progress and let you hear your progress for yourself.
• The use of a mirror or selfie camera, so that you can make sure you are forming the correct mouth shapes for each vowel sound.
• Videos/multimedia to support points raised in class.
• The use of provided material sent to the client via dropbox.
• Various tailored exercises to correct major problems with particular sounds.

 

Structure of the Course

Phase 1

Introduction to phonetics for spoken English and working on each sound individually, with practice exercises including work on individual words and sentences. In this section you will learn the basics of pronunciation and intonation of the RP accent.

Phase 2

Learning how to read and write in phonetics to enable you to have a more in depth knowledge of how words are built up and finally pronounced. You will then move on to text work which will be a series of texts, each of which will concentrate on one particular vowel sound of RP covered in phase one.

Phase 3

Refinement of work completed in phases one and two. This is a revision of all the work done so far and ensuring that you have a full understanding of all the sounds of RP and how to produce them.

Phase 4

Encompassing sounds into your own speech to a point where it is automatic and natural.
 

Method of Learning

  • Exercises have been pre written and recorded by me, and shared with the client. You will then listen each day to the exercises and work on them until you are confident with the work covered in the class. You will thus embed the sounds into your mind and into your muscle memory (ie your lips and tongue muscles). Each client requires tailored exercises as well for issues arising in class. These are recorded conveniently on the client's smart phone or device.
  • The classes will be once or twice a week. This depends on how many we feel you need. There does need to be a space between each class for the sounds to settle within your muscle memory however. The main objective is be so familiar with the new sounds and practice them so often that you cannot speak any other way. In essence you will not be able to help but speak in a more RP accent and it will be natural and automatic.
  • I also teach elocution/RP to foreign actors. Each person I teach goes away from my classes feeling more confident in their speech/accent work and indeed in achieving their goals of softening their accent to a more RP sound.
  • All materials are provided.
  • Please see the testimonials section for words about my classes from current and past students.
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Presentation Skills (what you will learn)

As part of the course in accent reduction and/or elocution we would work on the following:

• Stance (how to hold yourself when speaking)
• How to deliver your message clearly and confidently
• Voice Projection, modulation and tone
• Breathing technique to speak with greater power in your voice
• How to make your words sound brighter clearer and more expressive so that the audience is more engaged

 

Summer Special Offer (now expired. Check back here for future offers)

£65
per hour

6 session package
£360

12 session package
£650

Original/Current Price

£75
per hour

6 session package
£415

12 session package
£750

Summer Special Offer (Consession)
University/College Students (Summer offer now expired. Check back here for future offers).

£60
per hour

6 session package
£330

12 session package
£600

Original/Current Concession Price
University/College Students

£70
per hour

6 session package
£385

12 session package
£700

 

Cancellation Policy

If lessons booked are cancelled with less than 48 hours notice, the lesson must nevertheless be paid for.

Refund Policy

No refunds are given on lessons or packages once booked. Therefore, please make sure when booking a block of sessions in advance, you will be be able to commit to all of them.