FAQs

1.How long will it take?
One question often asked is: how many lessons will I need? That, of course, is impossible to answer. You can have one off sessions or if you are having a series of lessons you come for a minimum of half a term. Public Speaking is the easiest area to deal with and one three hour session or a half term slot will make a huge difference. If you are coming to substantially change your accent you have to look at a minimum of a year. Children generally come for years, often for their whole school life, taking exams and building up a portfolio of skills and qualifications. One thing is certain - it will take longer and be much harder than you ever imagined, so be prepared.

2. How much should I practice?
As much as you possibly can. It is better to do ten minutes every day than half an hour once a week. As with anything in life, the more you put in the more you get out, the faster you progress and the sooner you can stop having lessons.

3. Does my age make a difference?
Yes it does. Ideally children start at age 4 while their speech is still plastic. Adults are not designed to learn language and therefore after the age of puberty the language learning ability declines. Also, a lot of speech is habit, and the older you are the more ingrained your habits can be. However, if you are motivated your age doesn't matter because you will get out as much as you put in.

4. Can I totally get rid of my accent?
This is unlikely but possible. We are not getting rid of an accent, merely learning a new one. It depends how well you learn the new accent. Generally we can substantially tone down an accent, but not often can we totally change it.

5. Am I the only person with this problem?
If you were the only person with this problem there wouldn't be such a long waiting list. There are many people with your difficulties, the difference is that you have owned your problem and are now seeking to do something about it.

6. Am I stupid to be so terrified of public speaking?
You would be stupid not to be. It is no different to being an actor. Would you really expect to stand up and perform "Hamlet" without any training? Then why do you think that you can do the same with Public Speaking? The ones who aren't terrified just don't realise how truly appalling they are. You just have the sense to realise that it is a difficult skill and have chosen to do something about it.

7. Why is it so hard?
As already mentioned in question 3, children are designed to learn language and adults are designed to reproduce. When the reproducing ability is switched on the language learning ability diminishes. Adults therefore have a much harder time doing something that they just aren't designed to do. Also, as anyone who has tried to give up a bad habit will know, changing habits is very difficult. You have been speaking this way for a number of years, you cannot chance that habit overnight.

8. I want to be an actor it's not rocket science, is it?
If it is that easy, off you go and audition for drama school without any coaching. It is very, very hard to get into drama school and even harder to get a job when you leave. This is not a job for the lazy or the easily disheartened.

9. When will I have to stop concentrating so much on my speech?
Never. Or rather, the amount you will have to concentrate will diminish with time, but it will happen very slowly and you must expect to have to concentrate on your speech for many years to come.

10. Why are my children so influenced by their friends' speech?
Children have to survive in school. The way that they grunt to their friends is their business but in our lessons they are learning to survive in the real world. In the real world people do not speak Ape. They do not grunt and mumble. It is like speaking two languages - let them grunt with their friends as long as they speak nicely with you.

11. Will people think I'm silly if I try to change my speech?
It would be wonderful if your speech changed so quickly that everyone noticed straightaway. Because it takes so long to change one's speech the transformation is very gradual. People tend to notice your improved confidence first.