How to get rid of accent?

can't run the link, Gordon219..

Anyways, I'm from the Philippines and i think it's alright to keep your accent... We have a variety of dialects here in my country and here's my story:

Most people from Manila think it's uncool to sound cebuano(its a dialect used in Cebu, another city) or bisaya when talking tagalog (the country's national language). I don't get why those Manila junks assume that way when in fact, people from Cebu or non-tagalog speakers are far better English speakers than the former.

I'm a non-native tagalog speaker (maybe that's why i'm defending the whole clan) and one reason why i think we speak better english is because we only speak two languages at home and at school - bisaya and english... we only get familiar with tagalog when we watch the national TV, which is unusual since we grew up watching MTV, HBO and the likes...

 

 

 

IS there a way to practice getting rid of a "southern drawl" ??  That is free. Looking for job .

Some accents are great. But....southern    fyeve  or phieve for 5 or  sounds "red neck"  Help.

I was always told I have a New York accent, every state I went people knew I was an Italian American From the Bronx(sometimes Brooklyn) New York. After they told me I was From New York, they ask "Are you in the mob?" This was cool for a couple of years but Now I have a Problem!!
1. I sound exactly like my Father, who was NEVER there for me, I don't want to be associated with him or sound like him.
2. I feel I am Judged by the way I talk, most people first impression of me is that I'm a stupid guy, i think, well that's what i would think of a guy any way(150 IQ, college grad, etc. I may Butcher the english langue but by all rights a very smart man)
3. Because of these problems I have very Low Self confidence My career, my Love life, my social life ALL suffer

Does any body know in NYC a good elocution teacher, and I also think there are medical Problems with my vocal cords or throat. It's not so much my accent really, I have a very DEEP Voice, you know James Earl Jones or something, Mix that with the Italian Mob guy from 1960s accent(not the sexy deep guy thing). I really want to change it.
If Anybody could help, thanks!

well i think the best way is to talk to native speakers and watching tv a lot.

but i think the matter is not about the accent, it's about the others, will they understand you well?

actually i'm now trying to improve my accent by watching tv, talking with native speakes and listening to the radio( i think it's the best way)

Having an accent DOES hurt.  I was looking for a job and at interview they were really concerned about my accent whether people will pay attention to what I say.  They told me that people might not pay attention to what I say because of my accent.
They told about all their worries to me!
It didn't make me feel good, since I can't change my accent anyway.  So, many of you who think that it's cool to have an accent, it's not really.  I got a job, but it did bother that people were telling me about that my accent might be a problem, why to discuss it with me if I can't change it, if I could, I would do it a long time ago.
Also, when I had a job working with strangers I got tired explaining everyone where I am from and why I came to America.
Gets really boring sometimes to tell the same stuff over and over.