That accent? It’s not a problem, it’s a clue.

That accent?
It is not a problem.
It is a clue. It tells you where someone is from.

Mine gives me away in about four words, usually before I’ve finished introducing myself. (Someone once asked if I was from the Netherlands. No, I’m not!)

Here’s what I tell clients who apologise for theirs before they’ve said a single full sentence: nobody’s taking notes on your vowels. They’re listening for your point.

An accent doesn’t blur your English. It just tells the room one small true thing about you before you’ve said anything else.

Quick win: Next time you catch yourself apologising for your accent, don’t. Let it be the interesting part, not the excuse.

It is often the thing that makes you memorable.