“S.T.A.R -Stage Technique Accent Reduction- Program”. It is a 4-week program staring from Jan. 29th. It is 3 hours a day from 2:00-5:00pm, Monday to Friday.
This revolutionary program is not ordinary ESL training. It will help to build the shape, rhythms and pattern of the language by using the methodology to train the first language actors to lose their regional accent.
Most accent reduction programs focus on the minutiae of language only, working on the precise sound of some vowel or consonant. They “tweak” the smallest parts of speech, neglecting the fact the problem is more usually with pitch, rhythm and shape. We, instead, will tackle the “global” problem first by using ONLY the rhythms and patterns of the language and by using what we describe as an extremely heavy North American accent. Later, we will start to focus on some of the specific tongue, jaw and face muscularity that good English speakers use as well.
Everyday, we will use the exercises as springboard into reading aloud, but the reading that we do will always be in the form of dialogue.
This process will help you to build you confidence in learning how to express the language meaningfully and in ways that are comprehensible to a native speaker. We want you to “dance” with the language and to learn to express the language meaningfully to evoke emotions in others-to be compelling, to make others laugh, or cry.
We are looking forward to hearing from you. Should you have any questions, please ask Tong, Tomomi or even Juliet directly.
I wish all the best for the new year! See you soon.