FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Can adults really change their accent?

Yes. Adults change their accent all the time with focused, informed practice. The idea that pronunciation is fixed after childhood is a myth — what's true is that adults learn differently, through conscious awareness of tongue and mouth position rather than by absorbing sounds automatically the way children do. With the right feedback and consistent practice, most students hear a real difference within the first several lessons and eventual build lasting changes.

How long does accent reduction take?

Most students notice a difference within the first several lessons, and many report that colleagues and coworkers start commenting on the improvement after ten lessons or so. The full timeline depends on your starting point, how much you practice between sessions, and your goal. Becoming clearer and easier to understand happens faster than sounding fully native — and for most people, being understood easily is the goal that matters most.

What's the difference between an accent and a pronunciation problem?

An accent is the overall way your first language shapes your English, and there's nothing wrong with having one. A pronunciation problem is a specific habit that actually makes you harder to understand — like devoicing final consonants so "bag" sounds like "back," or putting word stress on the wrong syllable. In lessons I separate the two, because the features that hurt clarity are worth fixing first, while the ones that only affect how native you sound are a matter of personal choice.

Do you only teach Russian speakers?

No. While I speak Russian and have deep experience with Russian and other Slavic-language speakers, I work with speakers of every first language. My students have come from France, India, Iran, Brazil, Poland, Taiwan, Peru, Germany, Serbia, Ukraine, and many other countries. The approach is the same for everyone: I identify the specific habits your native language creates in English, and we work on those.

Do you teach French speakers? Spanish speakers? Other languages?

Yes. Every first language creates its own set of patterns in English — French speakers often work on word stress, the American "r," and the "h" sound; Spanish speakers on vowel quality and specific consonants; Mandarin speakers on sounds like the American "l" and "r." I diagnose the patterns specific to your language and build lessons around them. I have dedicated pages for Russian and French speakers, and I welcome speakers of all other languages just as readily.

Will I lose my accent completely?

Only if you want to. Many students simply want to be understood clearly and stop repeating themselves, and are happy keeping a light accent. Others want to sound as close to native as possible. Both are valid goals, and I'll build your lessons around whichever one is yours.

What happens during the first lesson?

During the first lesson I listen closely to your speech, tell you honestly what I hear, and identify the three or four features worth working on first, and we'll jump in to working on them. You'll leave with a clear picture of where your accent stands and what a plan to improve it looks like.

Do you teach online?

Yes, all my lessons are one-on-one and online, so you can work with me from anywhere in the world.

Do you help with grammar and vocabulary too, or only pronunciation?

Both. Alongside pronunciation, I offer discussion-based lessons for advanced grammar, natural vocabulary, and fluency. Many students take a mix, since sounding natural in English involves more than individual sounds — fluency, word choice, rhythm, and phrasing all play a part. I tailor the balance to what you need.

What makes accent training different from regular English lessons?

Regular English lessons focus on building vocabulary and grammar toward fluency. Accent training starts where fluency leaves off: the sounds, stress, rhythm, and intonation that separate correct English from natural-sounding, easily understood English. It's designed for people who are already fluent but want to be clearer, more confident, and understood the first time.

How much should I practice between lessons?

Even ten to fifteen minutes a day makes a real difference, because pronunciation is a physical habit — it changes through repetition, through building new muscle memory, not just understanding. I give you recordings, practice texts, and exercises to work with between sessions, so you always know exactly what to practice.

Do I need to know anything about phonetics to start?

Not at all. Most students have never studied the sounds of English formally, and part of what I do is teach you to hear and feel the differences you've been missing. You'll pick up the useful concepts naturally as we go — no background required.