Korean Job Discussion Forums

mangotango · Joined: 24 Apr 2015

Hi guys, as I mentioned I will be asking a few questions and hopefully starting a couple of debates.

Do any of you change your accent when you teach? Why/why not?

Do you think teachers should change their accents when they speak?

Note that I am referring to accents, the way in which words are pronounced rather than the actual words used.

Weigookin74 · Joined: 26 Oct 2009

No, I speak naturally the way I always speak.

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

One day after a late night House of Cards marathon I taught my class and in my early morning haze, slipped into a lame Frank Underwood southern accent before I caught myself. I think Ive done similar things after other TV/Movie marathons either in class or out. The worst is after watching a bunch of movies from the 30s-50s and you slip into that classic movie voice and sound like an idiot.

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

If I'm modeling a particular pronunciation drill where, for example, 'father' has the same vowel sound as 'glass', I'd change my northern accent slightly to make them the same.

Zyzyfer · Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:57 pm Post subject:

I hide my accent in a general sense when overseas, but it's not something I actively go out of my way to do. Whenever I go back to the US for a visit, that Southern drawl is quick to resurface. Once I'm out of the country again, it fades away once more.

I've never tried to hide my accent in the classroom, and don't think that teachers should do that, either.

Fallacy · Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Location: ex-ROK

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

edwardcatflap · Joined: 22 Mar 2009

T-J · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Location: Seoul EunpyungGu Yeonsinnae

Ah, a British accent would explain it. American pronunciation has very different As in father and glass. But when I think of an Englishman saying those words the do have the same sound. Cheers.

Died By Bear · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 1:43 pm Post subject:

When I speak to Koreans, I change to Pigeon Englease.

greatunknown · Joined: 04 Feb 2010

I have a mild Newfoundland accent.

Pace and the way the words flow into eachother is the essence of what an accent is. When I teach I speak slowly and deliberatly. So, yes I suppose I do change my accent. I also avoid using regional dialect.

Ever notice that singers with thick accents often sound very non-regional in their songs? I think the same thing sort of happens when you speak English in the classroom.

this obviously isnt the same as a Brit or an Australian being told to "sound Americian". Thats going a bit to far. I think most of us do change our accents to a degree though