English is my second language – do I need to get rid of my accent?

“Can you help me get rid of my accent?”
This question landed in my inbox recently from Carol, a former Toastmasters colleague. Carol is Chinese, and although her English is good, she is self-conscious about  her accent.  My response?
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 “Carol you are perfectly clear – your accent it not a problem.”
I suggested that Carol would gain more from expanding her vocabulary (which is already good) rather than trying to change her voice. 

Accent anxiety is widespread
Carol is not alone. In my coaching practice, I often meet people who blame their fear of public speaking on their accents. One client,  with a beautiful Brazilian accent, tells a story of being ridiculed as a waitress because of her accent. Years later, her accent is not as heavy and she is easy to understand, but she is still hypersensitive that she doesn’t sound like a native English speaker.

But not universal
Not everyone with an accent, worries about it. I have seen a speaker with quite broken English, win a speech contest because he was hilariously funny! The audience didn’t care about his grammar- they were too busy laughing and connecting with his authentic personality.

I’ve seen the same phenomenon with speakers who stutter significantly yet command the stage with confidence. When you focus on your message and your passion and forget about your accent, the audience won’t give it a second thought.

I am not judging you – I am admiring you!
Living in multicultural Auckland, New Zealand, I hear a variety of accents. When I hear a different accent, my first thought it usually admiration! You are communicating clearly in what might be your second, third or fourth language. That is not a limitation; it’s a superpower!

Most listeners feel the same way. We are either completely unfazed by accents, or we find them charming. The anxiety you feel about your accent is usually far more intense than any judgement you will actually face.

Improve your language skills and the accent may mellow over time. 
I don’t want to minimise your concerns. Perhaps you have been subjected to teasing (even bullying) or discrimination, due to your accent. But if you focus on extending your vocabulary and general fluency you will become a better communicator . As you do this, your accent will naturally reduce– but don’t make that your focus.

Embrace your linguistic heritage
There are so many different ways of speaking English – even amongst native speakers. One of my clients was brought up in Northern England and moved to New Zealand as a young teen-ager. He was bullied as a teen about his accent and developed a fear of public speaker. He now  recognises that his accent is part of his personality and he is proud of it!

The one exception – when no one understands you
There's only one scenario where I recommend accent coaching: if multiple people consistently struggle to understand you despite your strong English skills. Notice the emphasis on "consistently" and "multiple people."

One confused colleague or an occasional misunderstanding doesn't count. But if you regularly encounter comprehension barriers, a voice coach can help with specific pronunciation patterns without erasing your linguistic identity.

Summing up
In short: no, you don’t need to get rid of your accent. Your accent is a powerful part of who you are—it tells a story of learning, and identity. Most people don’t care how you sound as long as you’re clear, and authentic. If anything, they admire your ability to communicate in a second (or third!) language. Focus on growing your vocabulary and fluency, not chasing a native-sounding voice. Unless your accent consistently causes confusion, there’s no reason to change it. Own it. Your voice—accent and all—is something to be proud of.

Written by Catherine Syme