Do I need an accent coach?
Seven red flags that a coach is not moving you toward your pronunciation goals.
Over 8,000 lessons taught · Updated Nov 1, 2026
The short answer
Not always, but the right coach saves you months of practicing the wrong things. Accent training is habit change, so you need to know what you are listening for and how to tell if you are doing it, which repeat-after-me drills alone do not give you.
What Josh points out
Consonants first is a red flag
American ears get the message from the vowel sounds. Starting with consonants trains you to keep listening the way you do in your native language.
Repeat-after-me only
Imitating without knowing what or why you are practicing is not an effective way to build new habits or to learn to hear the language.
Promises of a quick fix
Accent training changes habits you built over years of using English. Be careful with promises of a perfect accent in a set amount of time.
What a good coach gives you
A clear target: what to listen for, how to tell if you are doing it, and feedback on your own speech.
What American ears listen for
Learners listen for the letters. Native speakers listen for the parts in between the letters: the size and shape of the sounds.
FAQ
Do I need an accent coach to improve my accent?
Not always, but a good coach helps you avoid months of practicing the wrong things by showing you what to listen for and giving you feedback.
What are red flags in an accent coach?
Starting with consonants, relying only on repeat-after-me drills, and promising quick fixes or a perfect accent in a set time.
Why do vowels matter more than consonants?
American ears follow the vowel sounds to get the message, so that is where training should focus.
How do I start?
Book an Accent Check. Josh listens to you live, finds what matters most for your accent and gives you one or two fixes.
About Josh
Josh Lewis is an American accent coach with over 8,000 lessons taught. He helps fluent professionals get understood the first time in meetings, standups and client calls.
Want this marked on your own speech?
In an Accent Check, Josh listens to you live and finds what matters most for your accent.