free dowloads (response to a question)

A recent blog reader asked:

"Do you know of any free downloads (listen and repeat type, if those exist)? I think those would help me a lot since I pronounce the individual words and short phrases really native-like but when I talk for a few minutes or say longer sentences in conversations my accent is evident."

Actually I haven't come accross anything of quality that you can download for free. Really the least expensive accent reduction audio materials that I know about are the ones that I have written which will soon be released by Barron's Educational Series. It's an accent reduction book with 4 cd's for only $19.99 on Amazon. The name of the book is Mastering the American Accent. It will also be available at all of the major bookstores for $29.99. You get over five hours of great quality digital audio with pauses for you to repeat. It has different male and female voices. They will also eventually sell it as downloadable MP3 audio only (no book).

Meanwhile, if you want to pre-order the book, you can get it at Amazon.com. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-American-Accent-Audio-CDs/dp/0764195824/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232346196&sr=8-1