An american accent - every callcenter agent wannabee seems to want..

bongmjr · Sep 13, 2003, 11:00 PM

Is it really a prerequisite for call center agent applicants to have american accent, or neutral accent would be enough? Heard most call centers provide accent trainings to their new hires anyway. Incidentally, for one who have no access to imported american accent cds/kits (are there similar products available locally?) and opportunities to attend those trainings/seminar, what could be next best, most effective and simplest method/s of acquiring american accent?

SILENTMAX · Sep 14, 2003, 02:12 AM

listen to rap pop and r&b

its the shizzie yo.

for the two double O thrizie

leftwinger · Sep 14, 2003, 02:44 AM

ask from friends who work in consultancy firms, esp. those who have call centers as clients, they usually provide that type of material.

Ice Burn · Sep 14, 2003, 04:39 AM

it's because some Americans don't want to deal with anyone different. By having an American accent, you are giving the impression that you are a fellow american to help them.

Go watch american movies and listen carefully to the accents and practice.

f0r5aK3n · Sep 14, 2003, 05:50 AM

Translating Tagalog in your head either subconsciously or consciously makes speaking with an American accent harder. Try speaking English in your everyday life until the english words come out of your mouth naturally.

heymikey · Sep 14, 2003, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SILENTMAX
listen to rap pop and r&b

its the shizzie yo.

for the two double O thrizie

I don't think most people from the US would want to talk to some call center person with a ghetto accent. That is just whack.

Ice Burn · Sep 14, 2003, 08:53 AM

Yeah that's true...People in the US obviously want have someone who sounds educated to assist them and not someone who slangs his/her way through a customer's inquiries and requests.

Some of you may think that the ghetto speak sounds cool and very American. But if you actually try to listen and try to understand what they are saying, it's really an American version of what we refer to in the Philippines as salitang kanto.

And the way some of us feel about salitang kanto is the same way some Americans feel about ghetto speak.

Una_dagmar · Sep 14, 2003, 09:29 AM

If you have enough patience, watch CNN or other American news programs. If you can, watch shows for kids and toddlers as well. They usually teach you how to pronounce well, as you try to read typical English words. Try to watch foreign films as well. Don't limit yourself to American movies. Hearing various accents can help you practice being flexible and will exercise your vocal tools.

Compare and contrast sounds and try them all, yourself.

Most importantly, don't feel embarrassed. Confidence is the key.

SILENTMAX · Sep 14, 2003, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by heymikey
I don't think most people from the US would want to talk to some call center person with a ghetto accent. That is just whack.

why you want to playa hate, peace aight :P

hehehe

SILENTMAX · Sep 14, 2003, 10:03 AM

http://www.asksnoop.com/

read the net in a whole new light

BabyFATS · Sep 14, 2003, 03:14 PM

Maybe it's just me but reading the title of this thread, I felt like it's a bad thing to want an American accent.

I'm not a call center wannabe (because I've been in the industry long before the boom) but I don't see anything wrong with wanting an American accent. It's a need, not a want, and there's nothing wrong with trying to develop the skill of communicating in flawless English, and yes, with the American accent.

Most call centers do offer training for this, but if you don't have access to those expensive kits or to that kind of training, I suggest you watch a lot of American shows and films. Heck, you can start with Sesame Street!

You can also try a reliable dictionary with guides to pronunciation. Just exaggerate the sounds, and you'll be fine.

sweet_angel79 · Sep 15, 2003, 06:28 AM

practice makes perfect!

thehitman · Sep 15, 2003, 09:49 AM

As I would usually say during new hire tours, Ower kostomers pind it hard to understand us ip we spik in English using our pilipino accent, so eben ip we have the corrrect grammar, syntax, etc., ip di accent is diperent, they still might not understand us, and get irate or hang up.

angst · Sep 15, 2003, 10:26 AM

You will get an accent once you think like an American and start speaking English even during normal conversations.

c_brain · Sep 15, 2003, 12:46 PM

1. Hangout with American expats.... there's nothing better than getting a 1st hand experience in speaking with someone who speaks the English language.

2. Befriend those Am-boys/girls. They may not be as pure-blooded Americans as you want, but you can still learn a lot from them.

3. Befriend those "konyo" people you used to discriminate back in high-school or college. Admit it, they're a cut ahead of you when it comes to English, and that accent is what you need for this kinda job.

4. Switch channels.... refrain from watching shows in ABS-CBN and tune-in to programs shown in Channel 23.

5. Speak at a moderate speed. This is a comment made by one of our expats. Filipinos tend to speak so fast regardless of their accent that foreigners can't quite catch what we are trying to convey.

Una_dagmar · Sep 15, 2003, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by angst
You will get an accent once you think like an American and start speaking English even during normal conversations.

I'd rather rephrase this as "think like a talking American" rather than "think American". Let's not forget who we really are. Speaking English during normal conversations would be great if you do so in a group that allows you to. Otherwise, people would think that you're just a real weirdo (especially if you use your American accent).

bongmjr · Sep 15, 2003, 09:46 PM

Does it really work, think like a talking american? Well, I've heard of this advice b4... one must think in english, and not just speak it. I just thought it's kinda weird..parang mahirap gawin, albeit Ive found myself many times whispering my thoughts in english. Damn, if I really want it, I'll just have myself employed in a call center and get advantage of the accent training..btw, 22o b what they say about the contract or employment bond?

husky150 · Sep 15, 2003, 11:35 PM

Hehehehe at least call centers don't require you to speak in a British accent

f0r5aK3n · Sep 16, 2003, 12:29 AM

when learning an American accent, make sure it isn't southern accent!

It's kinda kewl though when you see a Filipino speaking in a southern accent! hehe... A midwestern accent or a slight New England accent is preferrable.

Let me point out again what I posted earlier and what Una_dagmar reitirated. Think like a talking American. Don't translate Tagalog to English in your head. Once English comes out of your head fairly naturally, then it'll also come out of your mouth naturally. The pronounciation will then follow naturally as well.

aina_crazy_girl · Sep 16, 2003, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by f0r5aK3n
when learning an American accent, make sure it isn't southern accent! It's kinda kewl though when you see a Filipino speaking in a southern accent! hehe... A midwestern accent or a slight New England accent is preferrable.

Let me point out again what I posted earlier and what Una_dagmar reitirated. Think like a talking American. Don't translate Tagalog to English in your head. Once English comes out of your head fairly naturally, then it'll also come out of your mouth naturally. The pronounciation will then follow naturally as well.

that's funny.. i speak with a southern accent


Sep 13, 2003, 11:00 PM	#1
bongmjr Member Join Date: Jun 2003	An american accent - every callcenter agent wannabee seems to want.. Is it really a prerequisite for call center agent applicants to have american accent, or neutral accent would be enough? Heard most call centers provide accent trainings to their new hires anyway. Incidentally, for one who have no access to imported american accent cds/kits (are there similar products available locally?) and opportunities to attend those trainings/seminar, what could be next best, most effective and simplest method/s of acquiring american accent?


Sep 14, 2003, 09:29 AM	#8
Una_dagmar $$ The Real Thing $$ Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Above and Beyond	Educate yourself... If you have enough patience, watch CNN or other American news programs. If you can, watch shows for kids and toddlers as well. They usually teach you how to pronounce well, as you try to read typical English words. Try to watch foreign films as well. Don't limit yourself to American movies. Hearing various accents can help you practice being flexible and will exercise your vocal tools. Compare and contrast sounds and try them all, yourself. Most importantly, don't feel embarrassed. Confidence is the key.


Sep 14, 2003, 02:12 AM	#2
SILENTMAX FOCUSED Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Private Equity	listen to rap pop and r&b its the shizzie yo. for the two double O thrizie


Sep 14, 2003, 02:44 AM	#3
leftwinger On thin ice Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: The Penalty Box	ask from friends who work in consultancy firms, esp. those who have call centers as clients, they usually provide that type of material.


Sep 14, 2003, 04:39 AM	#4
Ice Burn Conflicting Karma Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Rimakyr	it's because some Americans don't want to deal with anyone different. By having an American accent, you are giving the impression that you are a fellow american to help them. Go watch american movies and listen carefully to the accents and practice.


Sep 14, 2003, 05:50 AM	#5
f0r5aK3n Ascendant BridgeBurner Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Seven Cities	Translating Tagalog in your head either subconsciously or consciously makes speaking with an American accent harder. Try speaking English in your everyday life until the english words come out of your mouth naturally.


Sep 14, 2003, 08:53 AM	#7
Ice Burn Conflicting Karma Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Rimakyr	Yeah that's true...People in the US obviously want have someone who sounds educated to assist them and not someone who slangs his/her way through a customer's inquiries and requests. Some of you may think that the ghetto speak sounds cool and very American. But if you actually try to listen and try to understand what they are saying, it's really an American version of what we refer to in the Philippines as salitang kanto. And the way some of us feel about salitang kanto is the same way some Americans feel about ghetto speak.


Sep 14, 2003, 10:03 AM	#10
SILENTMAX FOCUSED Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Private Equity	http://www.asksnoop.com/ read the net in a whole new light


Sep 14, 2003, 03:14 PM	#11
BabyFATS Every Body's Buddy Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: where the heart is	Maybe it's just me but reading the title of this thread, I felt like it's a bad thing to want an American accent. I'm not a call center wannabe (because I've been in the industry long before the boom) but I don't see anything wrong with wanting an American accent. It's a need, not a want, and there's nothing wrong with trying to develop the skill of communicating in flawless English, and yes, with the American accent. Most call centers do offer training for this, but if you don't have access to those expensive kits or to that kind of training, I suggest you watch a lot of American shows and films. Heck, you can start with Sesame Street! You can also try a reliable dictionary with guides to pronunciation. Just exaggerate the sounds, and you'll be fine.


Sep 15, 2003, 06:28 AM	#12
sweet_angel79 Mommy Ni Maiah Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Neighbor ni Shamu	practice makes perfect!


Sep 15, 2003, 09:49 AM	#13
thehitman The best there is Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Calgary, Albert	As I would usually say during new hire tours, Ower kostomers pind it hard to understand us ip we spik in English using our pilipino accent, so eben ip we have the corrrect grammar, syntax, etc., ip di accent is diperent, they still might not understand us, and get irate or hang up.


Sep 15, 2003, 10:26 AM	#14
angst Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Metro_Manila	You will get an accent once you think like an American and start speaking English even during normal conversations.


Sep 15, 2003, 12:46 PM	#15
c_brain Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vault 13	1. Hangout with American expats.... there's nothing better than getting a 1st hand experience in speaking with someone who speaks the English language. 2. Befriend those Am-boys/girls. They may not be as pure-blooded Americans as you want, but you can still learn a lot from them. 3. Befriend those "konyo" people you used to discriminate back in high-school or college. Admit it, they're a cut ahead of you when it comes to English, and that accent is what you need for this kinda job. 4. Switch channels.... refrain from watching shows in ABS-CBN and tune-in to programs shown in Channel 23. 5. Speak at a moderate speed. This is a comment made by one of our expats. Filipinos tend to speak so fast regardless of their accent that foreigners can't quite catch what we are trying to convey.


Sep 15, 2003, 09:46 PM	#17
bongmjr Member Join Date: Jun 2003	Does it really work, think like a talking american? Well, I've heard of this advice b4... one must think in english, and not just speak it. I just thought it's kinda weird..parang mahirap gawin, albeit Ive found myself many times whispering my thoughts in english. Damn, if I really want it, I'll just have myself employed in a call center and get advantage of the accent training..btw, 22o b what they say about the contract or employment bond?


Sep 15, 2003, 11:35 PM	#18
husky150 Sugar Daddy Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: In your face.	Hehehehe at least call centers don't require you to speak in a British accent


Sep 16, 2003, 12:29 AM	#19
f0r5aK3n Ascendant BridgeBurner Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Seven Cities	when learning an American accent, make sure it isn't southern accent! It's kinda kewl though when you see a Filipino speaking in a southern accent! hehe... A midwestern accent or a slight New England accent is preferrable. Let me point out again what I posted earlier and what Una_dagmar reitirated. Think like a talking American. Don't translate Tagalog to English in your head. Once English comes out of your head fairly naturally, then it'll also come out of your mouth naturally. The pronounciation will then follow naturally as well.