The SMART Method (Stanwood Method of Accent Reduction Training)
is the training method used at Accent Training Resources. It was developed by the Director and Certified Speech/Language Pathologist, Roberta Stanwood, after years of research and experience working exclusively with non-native speakers of American English. The SMART program includes The Stanwood Assessment of Accented English-SAEE, the training manual – Clear Speaking Strategies 2nd Edition, and all the voice audios that accompany the daily exercises as outlined in the training manual. The method is centered on ten strategies that can be learned and practiced. Implementing these strategies as you speak American English throughout your day will give you the ability to get your message across clearly and in the event of a miss understanding, will give you the tools needed to repair any problems with communication. You will learn the strategies that American speakers use to be clearly understood.
The SMART Program:
Identifies in the initial assessment (Stanwood Assessment of Accented English-SAEE) the strategies that you need to learn to improve your English. Your personal program depends on a number of factors a few which include: how you learned English, at what age you learned English, your native language, your fluency in English and your career or personal goals.
The SMART method develops a specialized program for you. There are some basic strategies to speaking English clearly, but how they are chosen to be included in your training and how you implement them are all part of your personalized program. Each person is unique and the SMART program takes that into account.
Here are some things you should consider before committing to the SMART training:
- Are you motivated to change the way you now speak English? Are you frustrated with having to repeat words that you thought you said correctly? Are you tired of being asked “Where are you from?” Are you ready to learn some strategies that you can continually depend on to help you speak English?
- Do you have the time to reinforce your one on one training sessions by practicing daily using the Clear Speaking Strategies’ exercises and audios?
- Are you willing to give up the way you normally speak English for a new way? A way that supports the English language that you use daily?
- Are you willing to try these new strategies that may seem uncomfortable at first but will become natural with practice?
- Finally, are you willing to use these strategies in your conversations during the day at work or in your personal life?
If so, you are ready to learn about the SMART program. Call the director today for a discussion of your personal situation and how the SMART program can be the answer to what you have been searching for.