The Accent CoachThe Accent Coach
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Practice clearer speech, one useful skill at a time.

Tools and guides for pronunciation, rhythm, diction, workplace communication, and the moments where your voice matters most.

Jay Alexander Poulton, The Accent Coach
Jay Alexander PoultonAccent and communication coach

Do something useful with your voice in the next five minutes.

Start with the self-check, or choose the skill you want to hear and practice now. Practice privately in your browser. The Clarity Check also lets you prepare a recording for personal feedback when submissions open.

The Accent Clarity Test asks how speaking feels to you in three areas. In the Clarity Check, Jay listens to how you actually sound and looks at four areas. In coaching, he uses a fuller picture with five dimensions, the Executive Communication Index.

Step 1: how speaking feels to you
01

Free Accent Clarity Test

A practical five-minute self-assessment to identify the speaking patterns most worth addressing first.

Find my starting point
Step 2: how you actually sound
02

The Clarity Check

Record one minute, hear how you actually sound and save a private copy. Personal-feedback submissions are not open yet.

Take the Clarity Check
Guided practice
03

Rhythm Practice

Practice sentence emphasis and natural pauses for clearer meetings and presentations. Five useful minutes, no sign-up.

Start practicing
Guided practice
04

Syllable Stress Practice

Train the stress patterns that make English speech easier to follow in meetings and presentations.

Start practicing
Guided practice
05

Diction Exercises for Clearer Speech

A focused practice set for articulation, pace, consonant precision, and confident sentence endings.

Start practicing
Guided practice
06

American English Pronunciation Tool

Hear high-impact sounds, compare word pairs, and practice the tongue and jaw position that creates each sound.

Start practicing
Guided practice
07

American English Sounds Guide

A visual reference for the vowel and consonant contrasts that most often affect intelligibility.

Start practicing

Jay’s newest practical guides.

Explore by the question you are trying to solve.

A woman standing outdoors with closed eyes and a relaxed posture

August 24, 2026 · 8 min read

Breath Control for Accent Reduction

Breath Control for Non-Native Speakers: The Foundation Nobody Teaches Why diaphragmatic breath is the leverage point for clarity, pace, and authority Almost every non-native (and even native) English speaker I have…Read the guide
Woman Writing on a Notebook While Using Laptop

August 24, 2026 · 10 min read

The First 90 Days of Accent Work

The First 90 Days of Accent Work: What Realistic Progress Looks Like An Honest, Week-by-Week Timeline From a Coach “How long is this going to take?” It’s almost always the first real question. Before someone asks…Read the guide
A man standing beside an open laptop and a notebook on a desk

August 24, 2026 · 10 min read

Accent Coach vs Accent Apps

Accent Reduction Apps vs. Working with an Accent Coach: An Honest Comparison Why This Comparison Matters More Than Ever You have probably seen the ads by now. Download this app. Spend ten minutes a day. Watch your…Read the guide
A seated woman listening to a standing instructor in a bright room

August 24, 2026 · 6 min read

Are Accent Reduction Classes Worth It?

When a professional asks me whether accent reduction classes are worth it, they’re rarely asking about phonetics. They’re asking something on a much deeper, personal level. “Will this actually change anything for me…Read the guide
Two women listening and talking across a cafe table

August 24, 2026 · 8 min read

Do I Need an Accent Coach?

Do I Need an Accent Coach? 5 Signs It’s Time Most of the people who book a first session with me have been thinking about it for a year or more. They’re unsure whether they speak English well. They’re unsure whether…Read the guide
An adult learner using a laptop in a lecture hall

May 14, 2026 · 5 min read

Accent Coaching vs. English Classes

What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Need? If you’re looking to improve your communication in English, you’ve probably considered taking English classes. That’s the most common route: enroll in lessons,…Read the guide
Two people enjoying a relaxed conversation over coffee

October 14, 2025 · 5 min read

Your Accent Matters Less Than You Think

Clarity Matters More If you’ve ever worried about your accent holding you back, you’re not alone. Many professionals who speak English as a second or additional language tell me the same thing: “People notice my…Read the guide
People chatting around a refreshments table at an outdoor gathering

October 16, 2025 · 7 min read

5 Tips to Speak Confidently Across Cultures

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries has become an essential skill. Cultural differences can create unexpected barriers in communication, from varying…Read the guide
An instructor pointing to a word on a whiteboard

October 19, 2025 · 5 min read

5 Myths About Accent Coaching You Need to Know

When it comes to accent coaching, a lot of people will come to me expecting one thing and then they start seeing accent and language in a whole new light. Whether due to misinformation, stereotypes, or simply a lack…Read the guide
A man explaining an idea to a small group during a workplace session

October 20, 2025 · 4 min read

Is Accent Reduction Effective?

Have you ever wondered, ‘Does accent reduction actually work?’ It’s a common question I get, especially for those considering taking the plunge into the world of pronunciation improvement.Read the guide
A leader speaking with colleagues during a focused team discussion

October 19, 2025 · 4 min read

The Art of Effective Communication

The art of clear communication is not a uniformity of voices but a celebration of diversity, a recognition that in this globalized world, every accent adds a unique timbre to the collective dialogue.Read the guide
Two adults and a young child reading a picture book together

October 24, 2025 · 4 min read

The Birth of Your Accent

Okay, this is truly fascinating and also brought some funny imagery to my mind of babies crying in French… Anyway, check this out. From the moment we’re born, we start to absorb the world around us, including the…Read the guide
Casual Conversation Between Two Friends at a Cafe

October 24, 2025 · 4 min read

Where Are You From? Is that an Accent I Hear?

Navigating the Feeling of Being “Other” Because of an Accent The sensation of being considered an “other” due to an accent is a complex emotional journey. It’s an experience that often goes beyond linguistic…Read the guide
Professionals discussing clear communication in a practical workshop

October 24, 2025 · 4 min read

What Is Accent Reduction?

I really don’t like the term ‘accent reduction’. We all have accents. There’s no such thing as reducing an accent to a neutral sound. An American or Canadian accent is still an accent and considered foreign to a Brit…Read the guide
A communication instructor guiding an attentive group

April 21, 2026 · 4 min read

How Does Accent Reduction Happen

The term Accent Reduction is a misnomer. It really should be called Pronunciation and Melody Training. Each language and accent has different rules for pronouncing sound. If you’re Chinese, N at the end of a word may…Read the guide
A woman wearing earphones and gesturing over an open notebook

October 24, 2025 · 4 min read

How Much Does Accent Reduction Cost?

Accent reduction programs and coaches have fees that vary greatly. Group lessons are generally less expensive but they can’t allow for individual attention if the rest of the group has achieved the modifications. Ask…Read the guide
Professionals participating in a remote communication session

October 24, 2025 · 4 min read

Accent Reduction Course

Wow. Lately, it seems a lot of you have decided to use this challenging time to get ready for what is to come, whatever that is! I guess, we all have to be open to change and be flexible to what is needed now. It’s a…Read the guide
A woman holding an English-language exercise book

April 21, 2026 · 4 min read

5 IMPORTANT WORDS TO PRONOUNCE PROPERLY

I teach accent reduction all over the world. These 5 words are often mispronounced by non-native English speakers causing confusion and embarrassment. FOCUS. If you mispronounce the first vowel you will be saying…Read the guide
Experienced colleagues helping one another during a discussion

April 21, 2026 · 4 min read

Help When You Can

I had a problem. I had to call DIRECTV, my satellite TV provider. I was ready for a stressful call, not because I have an issue with DIRECTV, but oftentimes when dealing with huge companies like this, you can get on…Read the guide
A man wearing headphones and gesturing at a studio microphone

April 21, 2026 · 4 min read

It’s Pronounced How?!

Ah, English, the language whose spelling makes little sense. The history of why we spell words the way we do is quite interesting but not important when you’re trying to communicate. If English is your first and…Read the guide
Colleagues making sure an idea is understood during a conversation

May 14, 2026 · 4 min read

The Importance of Being Understood

Prejudice is an ugly thing, but yet it still exists in our culture. Using proper English in a business setting can be the difference between getting the job and getting shown the door. For many, having mastered…Read the guide
Jay Alexander Poulton smiling in a dark jacket against a warm brown studio backdrop
Jay Alexander PoultonAccent and communication coach

Bring one real speaking goal. Leave with a clear next step.

Tell Jay Alexander Poulton where communication matters most in your work. Discuss the right approach, the investment, and whether coaching is a fit before you commit.

Request a consultation