In classes, I sometimes use accents to help students practice listening to different people from around the world. I do it with respect, NOT to make fun of people! It is good learning and also fun. I have several accents that I have learned over the years: British, Spanish, German, Italian, Indian, Russian, French, and a few others. And, of course, many American accents: Southern/Texas, Midwestern/Ohio, Northeast/Boston/New York, and California/West Coast.
One accent I struggle with is Brazilian. I don’t know why. I have three Brazilian students right now and have taught Brazilians over the years. So, I’m asking one of my Brazilian students to help me develop it. 🙂 At first, I thought this was kind of unfair. I mean, after all, HE is paying ME to teach him English. But my student pointed out that working on it together is actually helpful to him too. It helps him because he’s learning what NOT to say — and it makes him pay closer attention to what he’s actually saying.
In the end, I think it will be a win-win: I get a little closer to nailing a tricky accent, and he gets a sharper ear for his own English! 🇧🇷🗣️✨
