Q&A for How to Speak American English

Watch YouTube videos or movies with American actors and try to imitate how they pronounce the words.

Yes, it can help, especially if you are watching without subtitles in your native language. However, do keep in mind that shows produced and set in the U.K. such as Sherlock use British English rather than American English. It will still help your English overall, but if you want to sound American in particular you may wish to stick to American shows and movies.

It might help. Go with children's songs or simple songs with a slow pace -- often pronunciation is slurred in music, so singing the wrong kind of songs won't help.

There are different types of English. Words in American English are pronounced differently than they are in Australian English, for example. Same words, different pronunciations.

Indian English is different from American English in terms rhythm and pronunciation.

Yes. Copy native speakers of American English. If you don't know any Americans, there are many Americans speaking online.

No one is perfectly fluent at first, that's nothing to be insecure over, and most Americans (nice ones anyway) are willing to help someone who is a relatively new English speaker if they can't remember a certain word or phrase. It's great that you're learning a new language. As long as you keep practicing, you'll find yourself getting better and better at it.

Of course you can, all you have to do is learn and never give up.

It may be useful if you're visiting the United States, but if you already fluently speak another English dialect, you'll generally be able to make yourself understood to Americans. Just try to avoid too many colloquialisms when speaking with Americans, and if they do the same, you'll have basically no trouble communicating.

No. The characters in Harry Potter speak British English.

Some people want to sound like locals.

Don't be afraid to talk to them; most Americans are taught to be very accepting of other cultures and people.

Yes. While many people in Canada have accents similar to those of people in New York, they often have a heavy French influence. (In fact, many people in Canada are fluent in French.)

Yes, you can. Listen to American speakers as much as possible and practice with a native speaker if you can.

Of course! Just put in the effort, smile and practice.

There is a website where people can meet and practice the language of their interest called conversationexchange.com. I met American people there and have been practicing English with them for several years.

As you get more comfortable with the language, speed will come. Practice!

You will definitely benefit from watching American news. The reporters and journalists speak English in a more clear and well-pronounced manner.

I believe so. If you're worried, then practice a lot on your own before using the accent around other people. That way you'll know the accent is more believable and you'll have more confidence when you're speaking.

Just practice your speaking skills! Conversation Exchange is a website that can help you to find good people with whom you can practice the language you are learning.

Well, there are many accents from different parts of America because America is a very large country. For this reason, a lot of people trying to develop an American accent fail because they try to combine them all, so they end up sounding nothing like a real American. You should pick an accent from one area of the country first - Southern, Midwestern, Bostonian, etc. You can find videos of people speaking in this accent and try to mimic how they sound. Record yourself speaking to compare it to what you hear in the videos.

You can search for English-speaking lessons on YouTube, which would probably give you the best advice.

You can do anything you set your mind to. Just practice as much as possible over the next four days. Converse with people and ask them to tell you how your accent sounds. If you believe in yourself, you can do it.

Sometimes people just laugh when they find something cute or amusing, or even when they're uncomfortable. They're probably not trying to make fun of you. If someone in particular is doing this and it really upsets you, ask them to stop.

This is not a problem. You can say "restroom" or "washroom" instead of toilet.

British English is more commonly used.

Despite what it sounds like it would mean, you've got it exactly right, it's closer to "Nice to meet you."

An obvious place online to hear American English spoken is a website for network news: ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, etc. The newscasters speak well, and you could copy them.

Imitate Americans speaking in movies, on TV or in online videos.

You can get a good start, but don't expect to sound exactly like an American in just a year.