Page 68 - How to Learn Smarter and Help Yourself to a New Language Faster!

Step 23: Improve Your Accent

The accent used in a foreign language is just as important as grammar and
vocabulary. This is especially true for tonal languages. One wrong pronunciation
can modify the entire tone and message of a sentence. While it is not important
to be too strict on the accent, it is still something to keep in mind. After all, the
essence of language is communication. A terrible accent can be a barrier to
effective discourse. Aside from the previous methods mentioned, a learner can
also observe how natives speak.

A learner can observe the placement of their tongue or shape of their mouths as
they speak. This is especially useful for languages like Korean. The placement of
the tongue inspired the characters used in the Korean alphabet known as
hangeul. The learner should also take note of the various intonations that a native
speaker uses in different settings. When they are formal, speaking to their
friends, angry, or happy. These help in ensuring that speaking comes out as
natural as possible.