UK: Why migrants are hiring accent coaches to sound more British

Some are training speech to avoid racism, but experts warn systemic discrimination should be tackled instead. Most of his clients feel intimidated during job interviews or are frustrated by being continuously asked, “Where are you from?” “There’s no reason why you should sound more like a native speaker, but a lot of people want to,” said Nicholson, who has been an accent coach for more than seven years, working with students and professionals. In recent years, Britons who want to modify their speech have also used accent coaches, presumably to avoid being discriminated against; a study last year found that “broad regional” accents could be barriers to social mobility. “You always come across people who have this racist element, even if they don’t want to.” Bikov’s international friends have not tried an accent coach, but have watched videos posted online or listened to podcasts to try and perfect a British accent. “It’s not about sounding a hundred-percent British,” he said, “it’s just about moving towards English sounds that people can relate with more easily.” But amid Brexit, a political event which has spurred xenophobia, there are fears such dedication to assimilate could result in a loss of self-esteem.