Programs to Meet Different Needs
People in many countries have learned to read and write English but can’t speak it. There are interactive auditory programs that teach listening, understanding and pronunciation. Some years ago I learned to read French but no one ever spoke. I never heard it. Later, when I took some conversational French classes, everything I had learned previously made learning to speak and understand a great deal easier. There are other interactive programs that present an entire English course. This article discusses accents and provides tips for choosing an interactive English language program.

How Important Are Accents?
When we consider the millions of people throughout the world who live in a non-English speaking environment, but who have learned English while speaking their first language most of the time, there are bound to be a wide variety of accents. This is not a problem. A few years ago the United Nations passed a resolution stating that the English language is universal. All accents are acceptable if the speaker can be understood. Listening to native English speakers, you’ll hear many different accents. The television is a good example of this. As people everywhere hear a wide variety of accents, everyone’s speech will become easier to understand.

Let’s Consider Different Types of Listening Programs.

Programs for Students Who Need to Practice English Pronunciation
There are other programs that offer listening, speaking and oral English comprehension only. These programs are best suited to students of eighteen or older who have studied English previously. Perhaps they have learned to read and write but can’t speak. This type of interactive listening comprehension program offers the student an opportunity to listen to paragraphs and questions, answer the questions and listen to the correct answers. The student should be able to review the content for as many times as needed.
This type of program could provide a gateway to speaking and understanding English for students who have only learned to read and write. It also allows students to study at convenient times and work with a partner if desired.

Tips for Choosing an English Language Interactive Program
What should a student know before choosing the interactive program best suited to his or her needs? Students studying English for the first time need an interactive program that offers listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- There should be an opportunity to listen to the content as many times as needed.
- The program needs to introduce the vocabulary and grammar incrementally.
- There should be many opportunities to listen and repeat the words or sentences.
- A good program should provide role-plays that allow student participation.
- With the exception of the initial introduction of the vocabulary for each lesson, the content should be introduced in sentences.
- The basic format for writing English paragraphs should be explained. If the program stresses learning in sentences then writing paragraphs will be much easier.

Programs that include the above characteristics are available. Although they provide all the necessary information, the commitment required to work alone makes them best suited to students in their late teens or older.