Signs to look for
- This may be for you if people often ask you to repeat yourself in meetings or on the phone
- This may be for you if you avoid certain words or names because you are unsure how to say them
- This may be for you if you are preparing for presentations, interviews or client-facing work
- This may be for you if you work in both English and French and want more confidence in one of them
- This may be for you if your stress, rhythm or intonation sometimes changes how your message lands
- This may be for you if you have studied the language for years and want to fine-tune how you sound
What it is
Everyone speaks with an accent. An accent is the pattern of sounds, rhythm and melody that comes from the languages you learned and the places you have lived. It is not a speech disorder, and it says nothing about your intelligence or your skill in your field.
Accent modification is an elective service for adults who want to adjust specific features of their pronunciation. Some people want to be understood more easily on calls with clients. Others want to feel more at ease presenting, teaching or meeting new people. The choice to work on your accent is yours, and so are the goals.
At VoxLingue, we focus on two things: intelligibility, meaning how easily others understand you, and confidence. We do not aim to erase your accent or make you sound like someone else. Your first language is part of your identity, and it stays that way.
Who we see
We work with adults in many situations, including:
- Professionals in health care, engineering, finance, technology, teaching and law who speak with clients, patients or teams
- Newcomers to Quebec and Ontario building a career in English, French or both
- Students preparing for internships, oral exams or interviews
- Bilingual speakers who are comfortable in one official language and want more ease in the other
- Anyone who wants to feel more confident speaking in everyday life
How we assess it
The first session is a conversation about you: the languages you speak, where you use English or French, and the moments where communication feels harder. Then we listen to how you speak in different tasks, such as:
- Reading a short passage aloud
- Saying words and sentences that contain sounds that are often challenging
- Talking freely about your work or interests
- Situations that matter to you, such as a short presentation or a mock phone call
We look at individual sounds, but also at word stress, sentence rhythm and intonation. These features often affect how easily people follow you as much as single sounds do. We then explain what we hear in plain language and agree on a few priority goals together.
The assessment also helps us notice anything that may not be related to accent, such as stuttering, voice strain or a speech sound difference. If we see something like that, we will tell you and discuss the right support.
How therapy works at VoxLingue
Sessions are practical and built around the language you actually use. If you present to clients, we practise presentations. If you take calls, we practise calls. If certain words come up every day in your work, those words become part of your plan.
What a session can include
- Sound practice: how to place your tongue and lips for a target sound, then using it in words, sentences and conversation
- Stress and rhythm: which syllable to stress in multisyllable words, and how English and French differ in rhythm
- Intonation: how pitch shows a question, emphasis or the end of a thought
- Listening practice: hearing the difference between your production and the target, which supports self-correction
- Real situations: role play for meetings, interviews, phone calls and presentations
- Recordings: short audio clips you can use to practise and track change over time
English and French have different targets
English and French use different sounds and very different rhythms. English stresses some syllables strongly and shortens others. French gives syllables a more even weight and places emphasis at the end of a group of words. Our clinicians know both systems and can focus on the one you need, or on both.
Many clients notice that people ask them to repeat less often, or that they feel more relaxed speaking up. Progress depends on your goals and your practice between sessions. We review it with you regularly and adjust the plan.
Your role at home
Change in pronunciation comes from practice in real life, not only in sessions. We will give you short, focused practice that fits your week, often 10 to 15 minutes a day. That might mean:
- Reading a few sentences aloud using a target sound or stress pattern
- Recording yourself and listening back
- Choosing one meeting or conversation a day to use a new skill on purpose
- Noticing the words or names that still feel uncertain and bringing them to your next session
Bilingual and multilingual families
Most of our accent modification clients speak two, three or more languages. That is a strength. Your first language shapes your accent in predictable ways, and understanding those patterns helps us choose targets that make the biggest difference.
Our clinicians speak English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Greek and Armenian. A clinician who knows your first language can sometimes explain a pattern more quickly, but it is not required. We will try to match you with a clinician who fits your goals. Availability varies.
In person or by telepractice
Accent modification works well by telepractice, which many busy professionals prefer. We can share recordings, visual feedback and practice materials on screen, and you can practise in the same setting where you take your calls. We also offer sessions in person at our Marché Central clinic in Montréal.
Getting started
You do not need a referral. The first step is an initial session to understand your goals and listen to how you speak.
Call our Marché Central clinic at 514-467-9132, or request an appointment through our contact form. We provide receipts for private insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Will I lose my accent?
That is not the goal. Most adults keep some features of their first language, and that is part of who they are. We focus on the specific features that affect being understood or that matter to you, so you can speak with more ease.
Do I need a diagnosis or referral?
No. Accent modification is elective. You do not need a physician's referral, and an accent is not something that needs a diagnosis.
Can you work on French as well as English?
Yes. We work on English, French, or both, depending on where you need them. Availability of a clinician for your specific language combination varies, and our team will match you.
How long does it take?
It depends on your goals, how much you practise between sessions and how often you use the language. We discuss a realistic plan after the first assessment and review progress together as we go.
Is accent modification covered by insurance?
We provide receipts for private insurance. Coverage for elective services varies from plan to plan, so it is worth checking with your insurer before you start.
What if my concern is actually stuttering or a lisp?
The assessment helps sort that out. If we see signs of stuttering, a voice concern or a speech sound difference that is not related to your accent, we will explain what we see and discuss the right support.
Related areas of care
- Voice therapy for hoarseness, vocal nodules and professional voice usersTherapy for hoarse, tired or strained voices in children, teens and adults, including teachers, singers and other professional voice users, in collaboration with ENT physicians.
- Stuttering and cluttering therapy for children, teens and adultsSupport for children, teens and adults who stutter or clutter, with approaches matched to age, goals and the way stuttering affects daily life.
- Speech therapy by telepractice across Quebec and OntarioAssessment and therapy by secure video, from home, with the same clinical approach as our in-person sessions, across Quebec and Ontario.
