The Art of Accent Coaching: With Olga Sytina
In this episode, I sit down with British accent coach and pronunciation expert Olga Sytina to explore what accent training is really about. (Spoiler: it’s not just about sounding “native.”) We dive into the emotional, physical, and linguistic layers that make up this work — from rhythm and prosody to confidence, identity, and all the myths that still linger in the language-learning world. Olga shares how she helps ESL teachers master the British accent — not to perform someone else’s voice, but to feel more empowered, expressive, and professionally confident in their own. We talk about:– British vs. American prosody: rhythm, intonation, and cultural vibe– Why confidence — not being a copy of something or somebody — is the real outcome of accent work– The physical side of pronunciation (yes, it’s basically face/mouth choreography)– How pragmatics shapes not just how we speak, but how we’re understood– The surprising emotional payoff of shadowing, feedback, and doing the work “Accent is like your personal DNA. It doesn’t have to be British or American — it has to be you.” One soul-soothing listen for pronunciation teachers, advanced learners, and anyone curious about how voice, identity, and communication intersect.