How long will it take me to get rid of my accent?
This is one of the most common questions we’re asked—and the honest answer is: it depends.
Your progress is highly individual and influenced by several factors. Accents are deeply connected to muscle memory and personal identity, so changing them takes time and consistent practice.
Here are four key factors that affect how quickly you can get rid of your accent:
1. Your native language
Some languages are closer to English than others. For example, speakers of Italian or German may find it easier to adapt to English pronunciation, while speakers of Japanese or Chinese often face more differences to overcome.
2. How long you’ve been speaking English
The longer you’ve used certain pronunciation patterns, the more ingrained they become. Changing established habits takes time—but it’s absolutely possible.
3. When you started learning English
Early exposure can make pronunciation more intuitive, but starting later doesn’t mean you can’t make significant progress.
4. Your listening ability (“your ear”)
Some people naturally pick up sounds and rhythm more easily, while others need more focused listening practice. The good news is that this skill can be trained.
Here’s a realistic timeline (if you practice regularly):
1-2 weeks: You’ll start noticing specific sounds
1–3 months: Your speech becomes clearer and easier for others to understand.
6–12 months: You can sound quite close to your target accent in many situations.
1+ year: Near-native fluency is possible, but subtle traces of your original accent often remain.
What speeds it up:
Daily speaking practice (even 15–45 mins)
Recording yourself and comparing
Shadowing native speakers (copying rhythm + intonation)
Focusing on patterns, not just individual words