Code switching is a term used to describe using different accents in different situations.  A lot of clients say two things: 

1.  They are afraid to change their accent because they will no longer be accepted by peers. 

2.  They are afraid if they do not improve their accent it may negatively impact their career. 

This is where code switching becomes a great option.

We all code switch.  We talk differently to our parents than we would to our boss.  We talk to our friends differently than we talk to our co-workers.  You can do the same with your accent.  Use your native accent with family and your “new” accent at work. 

Bill Clinton is an excellent example of a code switcher.  When he talked to groups in the north, he used a very neutral accent.  In the south, he used his more southern accent.   Both accents are fine.  One is just more “comfortable” to listen to depending on the group.

While code switching can be turned “on and off”, it is a bit out of our control.  In my case, I start using my PIttsburgh accent when I talk to family.  My good friends notice when I have talked to them since my accent changes a bit.  It is completely out of my control.  The good news is that I can switch back to my more neutral accent quickly now that I have been using it for years.

Years.  Yes, years.  I know that is not the answer you wanted to hear.  But, it takes years.

The good news is that you can make significant progress in a relatively short period of time. 

I teach an introductory course in Chicago.  A lot of people take this class, buy a few products, and practice on their own.  They make enough improvements to allow others to understand them most, if not all, of the time. 

Others choose to take my month long or weekend group course.  These folks improve their accent by about 50-75% (pre-post test comparison) in a month.  I talk to people years later who say that they are continuing to make progress and sound “clearer” everyday.

As with any new skill, it takes a long time to get really good.  This is no exception.  You can become an effective communicator by improving your accent in a relatively short period of time.  To reach a point where you have few or no mistakes takes years.Š

Everyone of my clients hates this suggestion.  But it works. Speak slowly to improve your accent.

As with any new skill, your new accent will take practice.  When we learn a new skill we take our time and practice it slowly at first.  Think of when you learned to write.  It was a slow process at first.  As time went on, you got faster and faster.  Now, you don’t even think about it much.

Give yourself the time to learn a new accent by speaking slowly.Š