| Step 1: | Know that you have a problem.
("To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge." Benjamin Disraeli) |
 |
| Step 2: | Believe that you can change. |
|
| Step 3: | Make an inventory of your
strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself! (Use the Pronunciation Recommendations to help you think about it.) |
|
| Step 4: | Think about the areas you most want to change. Talk about how
you want to change with classmates and friends. |
|
| Step 5: | Decide which areas are most
important to you to change. |
|
| Step 6: | Open your mind to
change - build an 'English-speaking
ideal
you' in your mind. (Find a picture of someone whose pronunciation you would like to have. Act like you are that person when you are speaking English.) |
|
| Step 7: | Ask a friend or your teacher
to help you in one area. Listen to
what they say, and try to do it. |
|
| Step 8: | Think about the ways that poor
communication has made your life
more difficult. |
|
| Step 9: | Decide to focus on one area
today, and make no mistakes in that
one area. |
|
| Step 10: | Continue to listen for your
own errors and be aware of them. |
|
| Step 11: | Realize that you can improve
a little bit every day. |
|
| Step 12: | Reach out to other people
while you practice. |
