Can Pronunciation and Language Skills Help with Assimilation?
Categoriesaccent reduction
June 6, 2018
When moving to a new country, assimilating to your new environment can be a challenge. Making friends, getting into a routine, and feeling like you fit in is not as easy as it might look to some. With the growing global economy, it is not uncommon for talented professionals to be recruited from all over the world and the number of international employees is increasing. So how do newcomers go about assimilating to their new home more quickly? We think language is important, but we want you to think about all of the following ideas:
Secure a Job
If you didn’t move to the United States for a new job, getting a job is a great way to learn the new culture and make new friends. Spouses, children, and other family members come along when one person is transferred to a new country. If they don’t have a job or go to school, it can be a long road to making friends and getting acquainted with new people. By getting a job, even if it is just part-time, you’ll have a way to meet new people and learn the culture.
Say Yes
When coworkers are going out for lunch or happy hour, Say yes. At first, you might be a fly on the wall. But if you keep saying yes and keep getting to know them outside of the work setting, it is just a matter of time before you turn professional acquaintances into friends. Other ways to say yes, volunteer at your kids’ school, join the PTO, or coach a soccer team.
Join a Recreational Activity
Local cities and clubs offer a ton of adult activities. From softball leagues, soccer leagues, billiards leagues, and even a bowling league at the bowling alley, you can meet a lot of new people by joining a group that has similar interests as you.
Spend Time in Communal Areas
If your community has a neighborhood pool, it is a fantastic place to meet people. Whether it be parents of small children on weekday mornings or your fun-loving neighbors on Friday night, you can get to know great people who live close by just by hanging out in your community’s recreational spaces. From your neighborhood gym to the city park or library, there are plenty of people to meet.
Learn the Language
All of the above ideas are indeed much easier if you know the language. If you haven’t taken an ESL course, that should be one of your first steps in integrating into your new environment. It will allow you to be outgoing and introduce yourself.
Speak the Language Well
If you already speak English and know the language, the next step is speaking it well with confidence and clarity. Clear communication can rely heavily on proper pronunciation and reduction of your native accent. If you are doing all of the things listed above but feel like you are just one step shy of getting there, try an accent reduction course. With more precise communication, you can improve your professional and personal life in the United States by merely making it easier to be understood.
These ideas are not just for newcomers to America. No matter what new country or culture you are immersing yourself into, these tips will help you adjust to your new life.
At Carolina Speech Services we offer custom accent reduction programs to meet your specific English pronunciation needs. We even provide virtual accent modification courses from the comfort of your own home. Give us a call today to get started! 704-845-1605