Advanced Accent Training (doing business as Advanced Speech Consultants, LLC., ) is able to keep costs low because we do not incur the high expense of renting space in metropolitan cities such as Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Jose, San Francisco, or Seattle. Our reasonably priced quality online accent reduction and speech improvement services keep our clients, in the United States and abroad, satisfied. It is not uncommon to find training programs in New York or other areas that are double our cost.

Secure Payments

Our programs can be paid for using PayPal, which is one of the safest and guaranteed secure online payment methods around the world. We accept most major credit cards and we also accept payment by Venmo, Zelle, or via international bank transfer. AAT will first determine if you would benefit from our services, by providing a Free Accent Screening. We will help you find the most convenient method of payment for you or your company.

Payments & Refund Policy

All new clients in 2023/2024 must register for a minimum of three online one hour sessions, which includes an initial online accent assessment, and this is non-refundable.

If a client must withdraw before starting her/his/their training, the client is responsible for the $225 initial online assessment cost, any materials provided, plus a $95 early withdrawal administrative fee.

All 3-6 session, 7 session, 10 session, or 12 session programs should be completed within 3-4 months, but must be finished within 5 months from the start of the first session and within the same calendar year (unless otherwise approved).

First payments must be received and cleared at least four to seven days prior to the start of any program so that we can order your materials and complete your accent/communication assessment. 

If making two payments as part of an approved payment plan, our policy is that second payments must be received at least 3 business days prior to the next class, and full tuition of the program must be paid within 8 weeks of the start of the first class meeting. If an agreed payment plan is not completed by this timeframe, the program may be terminated or subject to a restart fee.

If there have been two or more cancellations by the client/student during the first phase (3 sessions) of the program, or if classes are postponed for more than four weeks, we reserve the right to terminate the training program. If a client pauses her/his/their program for more than 4 weeks, a program restart fee of $75 may be charged and any prior discounts may no longer apply.

Cancellation Policies, No shows & Termination Policies

1. If a client has started a program and does not show up to a scheduled meeting, the session will be charged. Advanced Speech Consultants (LLC) requires 24 hours notice in order to not be charged for a scheduled online session. Your instructor may have some flexibility to reschedule, depending on the day, how late the client has notified us, and if the client’s tuition has been paid in full. If less than 8 hours notice is given, the session in most cases will be charged. Medical emergencies are taken into consideration for one late notice session cancellation per program.

2. While consistent practice is assigned and encouraged, we do not recommend making a habit of cancelling scheduled sessions due to a lack of practice in between sessions. Practice is important, but the success of the program is equally dependent on maintaining a consistent schedule of regular training sessions that are ideally 7-14 days apart. If more than two meetings of a seven session program are canceled, your program may be delayed by 3 to 4 weeks. Other clients and students will be given scheduling priority over students or company employees who have canceled multiple times.

3. Training will only be provided for sessions that are paid for in advance. If you anticipate needing extended training, it is prudent to sign up for a formal 7 to 10 week training program, or pay for 3 sessions at a time.

4. If a client/student wishes to withdraw early from a 7 or 10 session program which was paid for, it must be done prior to session 5 and not more than four months after the first meeting. The student will be charged for the initial assessment, materials, the sessions which were provided, plus an early withdrawal administrative fee of $150.

5. No refunds will be issued three months after the first payment has been received. If you or your company have paid for a program in advance, the program must be completed within 5 months from the date of the first payment. If more than one program is paid for in advance, both programs must be completed within 12 months (unless other wise approved).

6. No refunds will be given for sessions not completed within 5 months after the first payment is made for any 5-7, 10 or 12 session training program. Training programs of 20 sessions must be completed within 10 months after the first payment is made.

7. Advanced Speech Consultants reserves the right to terminate a client’s program at any time during a training program, including, but not limited to, multiple cancellations, lack of practice, disrespectful behavior towards the instructor, or non-compliance with our policies.

Policy for Custom Recordings

If your instructor sends you a custom audio recording(s), they are only for your personal pronunciation improvement. Client agrees to not produce or reproduce any recording or document provided by Advanced Speech Consultants, LLC., or share any audio recordings for any commercial or other use. It is our policy to not allow any video-conference training sessions to be recorded by any method, or observed by others who are not directly enrolled in the training.

Policy for Presentations Coaching

Advanced Speech Consultants, LLC., is available to improve the delivery and pronunciation of speeches and presentations. We can also help provide feedback on grammar, phrasing, and vocabulary. Although we provide assistance with presentations, we do not write essays or presentations for our clients, and we are not responsible for or advocate for any content or claims made in any speech or presentation by our clients. All clients must agree to these terms in writing before requesting assistance with editing presentations. In addition, Advanced Speech Consultants, LLC, recommends at least one to two hours of practice outside of each Zoom 60 minute lesson provided. Since we cannot monitor the client’s practice, there are no guarantees of outcomes for presentations that we help a client prepare for.

Accent Coaching Goals & Outcomes

The purpose of accent reduction and/or dialect modification, is to become aware of current habitual speech patterns and learn how to use Standard American English pronunciation (SAE). The goal is not to eliminate an accent or dialect. It is not possible to “get rid of” an unwanted accent or dialect in a few months or a few weeks. However, accent reduction and/or dialect modification lessons, when combined with regular home practice, consistent training sessions at least two to three times per month, and regular effort to apply SAE in personal interactions, can help make an accent less noticeable, sometimes after a few weeks if training is done intensively and combined with recommended practice.

Since we cannot monitor how much a client practices or uses (SAE) pronunciation in daily life, there is no guarantee of results or outcome. There is also no guarantee of specific results for coaching other areas of communication. Multiple meeting cancellations, lack of practice, or long gaps between scheduled meetings, will likely impact outcomes, and may result in prior progress not being maintained in the long term.

Client Practice Recommendations

We recommend 30-60 minutes a day of home practice, using speech and/or accent lab provided, in order to achieve maximum results in the Accent 1 program. Most of our clients who practice 3-5 times per week have excellent outcomes. However, research has shown that clients who only practice twice a week while consistently attending training sessions every 7 to 14 days, are often able to make significant progress.

Long gaps between meetings and/or frequent cancellations will likely negatively impact results. The accent coach will monitor your progress, and demonstrate the correct way to practice. Progress may not be noticeable for several weeks, and may take longer, unless an intensive training and practice program has been initiated. With consistent home practice and efforts to use Standard American English (SAE) in daily life, a client will likely feel more comfortable using SAE. Some clients who have very strong accents, or other communication areas to work on, may benefit from further training.

Accent Coaching Definition

Accent coaching is a form of communication consulting. Accent reduction is not speech therapy, although a speech pathologist is uniquely qualified to provide accent training. An accent or dialect is not considered to be a "speech disorder."  

Group Class Policies

There are no make-ups for missed classes in group sessions. However, if there is an open space in a future class, it may be possible to attend a missed session if it becomes available. We will do our best to accommodate you.