Listening to Speakers with Different Accents

It is more difficult to understand English spoken in an accent other than one’s own. But it does get easier over time, just as acquisition of a second language is more difficult at the beginning and accelerates over time. When it comes to language, persistence is everything.

Here are some hints to make you more comfortable listening to someone speaking in an accent

other than your own:

• If possible, position your computer away from bright light (or mirrors) behind or in front of you. Instead, try to use indirect light on one side. This makes it easer to see yourscreen.
• Reduce distractions around you.
• Put Zoom on full screen / speaker view. This makes it easier to stay focused on the speaker.
• Take minimal notes (at least at first) – keywords, not whole sentences.
• If the speaker will be referring to a place that you are unfamiliar with, consider studying an atlas before the presentation. Keeping it open for quick reference during the presentation might help too if that is not distracting for you.
• Finally, remember that the speaker will probably have similar difficulties understanding your accented English. Try to speak slowly when engaging in dialogue with our guest speaker or otherparticipants.