How to Speak More Clearly: The Complete Guide to Elocution Lessons and Accent Reduction
If you are searching for elocution lessons, you're not alone.
Many people feel dissatisfied with how they sound, especially when clarity, confidence, or accent are at stake. But knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
With nearly two decades of experience as a UK-based voice coach, I want to give you a clear, structured guide to help you make informed choices without wasting time or money.
Clarify Your Goal First: What Do You Really Mean By "Elocution"?
The term "elocution lessons" means different things to different people. Over the years, I’ve received countless enquiries that demonstrate this:
"I want to sound clearer when I speak."
"I want to reduce my accent."
"I want to speak with more confidence in presentations."
"I want my voice to sound deeper, stronger and more resonant."
Each of these goals points to a slightly different coaching focus:
Speak more clearly = Elocution / Pronunciation Coaching
Reduce or modify accent = Accent Reduction Coaching
Improve public speaking = Presentation Skills Coaching
Develop vocal strength and tone= Voice Coaching
The better you can identify your specific goal, the easier it will be to find the right coach, course or resource.
Elocution Lesson Costs: What Should You Expect?
Prices for elocution lessons (often actually accent reduction) vary widely depending on the type of resource you choose:
Free online content - £0
Books or ebooks - £10-£20
Self-study online courses - £49/month or £500/one-off
Private 1:1 coaching - £94-£300+ per session
The challenge with free content, ebooks and self-study courses…
The key factor is - do you have the necessary proprioception — the ability to feel and monitor what your tongue, lips, jaw, breath and voice are doing as you speak.
Without strong proprioceptive awareness, it's difficult to self-correct. That's why many people ultimately benefit from expert feedback.
Top 3 Free Resources for Elocution / Accent Reduction
If your goal is improving clarity or reducing your accent for Standard Southern British English (sometimes called RP or BBC English), here are three excellent free resources:
English With Lucy - British Pronunciation Playlist
59 high-quality videos on YouTube, covering a wide range of pronunciation topics.
Watch HereETJ English (Elliot) - British Pronunciation Lessons
58 detailed videos with clear explanations and practical demonstrations.
Watch HereAshley Howard - Pronunciation, Shadowing and Voice Coaching
A growing collection of videos and podcasts to develop more confidence with pronunciation and intonation as well as using your voice.
Watch Here
Pro Tip: Start with vowels and intonation first. They create the most noticeable shift.
Top 3 Books & Ebooks for British Elocution
British English Pronunciation Roadmap eBook (by Ashley Howard)
324 pages with 12 hours of audio, plus optional personal assessment and feedback.£14.99
Learn MoreWork On Your Accent (Helen Ashton & Sarah Shepherd)
Comprehensive text with audio and video support.£16.99
Available HereGet Rid Of Your Accent (Linda James & Olga Smith)
Basic but clear introduction, available in Kindle and paperback formats.£19.95
Available Here
Note: I receive no commission for any external links provided.
Top 3 Online Courses for Elocution / Accent Reduction
Improve Your Accent (Luke Nicholson)
Tailored content by first language + weekly group coaching - £49/month or £499/year
English With Lucy - British Pronunciation Course
Lifetime access, VIP feedback option & community - $349-$499
ETJ English (Elliot)
Direct WhatsApp support from Elliot - £199-490
Each offers a slightly different approach. Choose based on your learning style, desired level of personal support, and budget.
Top 3 Private 1:1 Elocution Coaching Options
Important: Private coaching delivers the fastest results because it's fully tailored. But this industry is unregulated, so you must choose carefully.
London Speech Workshop (Team of 16 coaches)
Tiered experience levels - £1175-£4995 for blocks of 5 or 15 sessions
ETJ English (Elliot)
Experienced specialist - £25 per 20 minute session
Ashley Howard (Me)
MA Voice Studies (Royal Central School of Speech & Drama), 18+ yrs experience - sliding scale from £84 per session
How Long Does Elocution / Accent Reduction Take?
Change takes time. Every sound involves multiple steps:
Awareness: Recognise what you do now.
Adjustment: Learn new articulatory habits.
Automation: Integrate new habits into spontaneous speech.
Repeat for every sound or pattern you want to change. For most learners, measurable change requires months of regular practice.
How Much Practice Do You Need?
Daily 5-minute practice: Better than nothing.
20-30 minutes several times weekly: Ideal for steady progress.
Unrealistic practice schedules: Lead to burnout and frustration.
Focus on small, achievable targets. For example, pick 5 challenging words per week instead of trying to fix everything at once.
Are Elocution Lessons Worth It?
If your speech is undermining your confidence professionally, socially or personally, then yes — it’s worth investing in.
You may not know exactly where the journey will lead, but if you never start, you remain stuck. With expert guidance, structured practice, and clear goals, meaningful change is absolutely possible.
FAQs
Do elocution lessons change my natural accent?
Only if you want them to. Many people simply want greater clarity while keeping their authentic accent. Others choose to modify aspects of their accent for specific personal or professional goals. You stay in control.
Can I really do this on my own with free resources?
Some people can, especially if they have strong body awareness and good self-coaching skills. But for most, expert feedback dramatically accelerates progress.
Is there a difference between elocution and accent reduction?
Technically yes. Elocution focuses on clarity and articulation; accent reduction specifically targets modifying your pronunciation patterns toward a target accent.
Am I too old to start elocution lessons?
No. Adult brains are still capable of neuroplasticity. Change is absolutely possible at any age with the right approach and consistent practice.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right elocution approach isn’t just about budget or convenience. It’s about identifying exactly what you want to achieve and selecting the right resources, methods, and coaching to get you there.
Here’s a quick recap to help guide your decision:
Clarify your goals: Do you want clearer speech, accent reduction, stronger voice quality, or public speaking confidence?
Know your self-awareness level: Strong proprioception can make self-study more effective. Otherwise, coaching may be essential.
Start with vowels and intonation: These often have the biggest impact on naturalness and clarity.
Be realistic about time and practice: Small, consistent practice is better than unrealistic goals that lead to frustration.
Choose coaching carefully: Look for qualified, experienced coaches who tailor their approach to your needs—not one-size-fits-all solutions.
If you want personal guidance retraining your breath and voice, click here to learn more about one-to-one coaching.
Ashley Howard is a UK-based voice coach with 18+ years of experience helping professionals and individuals develop clear, authentic, and confident communication.