The Compton P-ESL (Pronouncing English as a Second Language) method is a structured approach to accent modification developed by Dr. Arthur J. Compton. It is designed to help non-native English speakers improve their pronunciation and intelligibility in spoken English. This method emphasizes individualized instruction tailored to each learner’s specific accent patterns and needs.
Key Features
- Assessment and Analysis: The P-ESL method begins with a comprehensive assessment of the learner’s current pronunciation patterns. This involves analyzing the individual’s speech to identify specific sounds or intonation patterns that may differ from standard American English. The analysis provides a detailed profile of the learner’s pronunciation strengths and areas for improvement.
- Customized Instruction: Based on the assessment, a personalized curriculum is developed for each learner. The instruction focuses on the specific sounds and patterns that the individual needs to work on, making it highly efficient and targeted. The method employs a range of exercises and practice materials designed to address these specific areas, helping learners make noticeable improvements in a relatively short period.
- Practice and Feedback: The P-ESL method incorporates regular practice sessions, both during instruction and independently. Learners receive immediate feedback on their pronunciation, allowing them to make adjustments and improvements in real-time. This hands-on approach ensures that learners are actively engaged in the process and can track their progress over time.
- Use of Technology: A richly-featured web-based application supplements instruction and practice with tools that provide learners with additional resources to practice outside of formal lessons, reinforcing what they have learned and helping them achieve greater mastery.
Benefits
The P-ESL method is known for its effectiveness in helping learners achieve clearer, more understandable English pronunciation. By focusing on individual needs and providing targeted instruction, it helps learners gain confidence in their spoken English, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional settings. The method’s structured yet flexible approach allows learners to progress at their own pace while ensuring that they receive the guidance and support necessary for success.
The P-ESL method is a comprehensive and effective approach to accent modification that combines assessment, personalized instruction, practice, and technology to help learners achieve their pronunciation goals.
How Is the P-ESL Different From Conventional English Language Programs?
Few English as a Second Language (ESL) programs provide the necessary help and training required to establish adequate pronunciation skills. In most cases, the emphasis is on learning the vocabulary and grammatical forms, often with reading and speaking being taught at the same time. The result is that most people learn the vocabulary and grammar of English but still remain poorly prepared to speak and be understood in their newly acquired language. The Compton P-ESL Program begins where conventional English programs end. This program, based on over fifteen years of linguistic research and teaching, has been designed specifically to aid people with foreign accents to improve their spoken English. While the program is intended primarily for individuals who already have a basic command of English, the materials can be incorporated into almost any level ESL course to provide specialized pronunciation practice.
How Was the P-ESL Method Developed?
Dr. Arthur Compton, the author and creator of the program, analyzed the varying forms of English pronunciation used by hundreds of people from over 100 different language backgrounds. The results of this research demonstrated that the accented sounds of English are not simply a random collection of speech errors but, instead, constitute a system of interrelated pronunciation patterns which are determined largely by the speaker’s native language.
Consequently, the problems faced in learning English as a second language are not the same for all persons. Each language has its own particular sounds and patterns of pronunciation and intonation. These are learned in childhood and are used easily and without thinking. When a person learns another language, these sounds and speech patterns act as barriers to the perception and pronunciation of new language. The end result is one of the characteristic types of English, such as the “Spanish accent” or the “Japanese accent”, etc.
The Compton P-ESL Program was developed at the Institute of Language and Phonology in San Francisco. The Institute conducts linguistic research in spoken communication of children and adults and has offered individual tutoring, small classes and workshops in English pronunciation since 1978. The Compton P-ESL program is based on the author’s experimental studies and teaching experience with hundreds of students from over a 100 different languages. Recordings and detailed speech analyses were made of participants accent patterns. These analyses made it possible to determine the major areas of pronunciation difficulty for individuals who speak English as a second language. The areas of pronunciation are taken up in the order in which they can be learned with maximum effectiveness and minimal effort. This order of presentation is based on a “principle of linguistic generalization” which initially evolved from the author’s research with young children.
This research was later extended to adults learning English as a second language. These studies revealed that even though a large number of sounds may be affected by the native language of these errors are identical in type and constitute a small number of errors patterns which are the actual case of the pronunciation difficulty. Consequently, when an individual corrects specific sounds, the correction effect will often carryover (generalize) to other sounds following the same error pattern i.e. “principle of linguistic generalization.
Summary
The P-ESL method and system offers:
- a comprehensive program that includes pre- and post- training analysis,
- a customized training program for each individual client,
- a step-by-step structure and roadmap to follow, with every client,
- a program that can and should be complimented by your own unique teaching style,
- a program that can be conducted from start to finish in a tele-training or web-based environment, or conducted on-site and in-person
Use of the P-ESL assessment and training tools requires certification status, which tells everyone you are an expert. The certification course can be completed on right here at this website.
Dear soon-to-be Certified P-ESL Instructor,
If you’ve ever felt the pull to explore how accent and pronunciation training can thrive in various professional settings—whether it’s corporate training, 1-on-1 client sessions, online instruction, or private clinical practice—now is the perfect time to dive into the research-backed, structured yet flexible P-ESL Accent Modification Method. Our online course is designed with your busy schedule in mind, offering a self-paced learning experience that gives you the freedom to complete the training at your own speed.
You can complete the entire certification right here, on your own terms. Whether you take a week, a month, or spread it out over a year, you’ll have access to the full course for 12 months. No rush, no pressure—just the perfect balance of flexibility and structure to fit your lifestyle.
Starting out in this rewarding field doesn’t have to feel daunting. All you need is a solid plan, a structured approach, and the willingness to develop business and marketing skills—areas that may not have been covered in your academic or clinical training but are key to success in this exciting line of work.
SLPs—are you intrigued by the idea of working with highly motivated adults outside of traditional academic or clinical environments? Perhaps you’ve heard whispers about “corporate speech pathology” and always wondered how to break into the field. Maybe you’ve been fascinated by the idea of accent modification but didn’t know where to start.
If you’re ready for something fresh—whether you’re burnt out from billing, paperwork, and endless documentation, or simply looking for a side gig to bring in extra income without abandoning your current job—this is your opportunity. Accent and pronunciation training can offer a new, fulfilling way to use your skills, with clients who are driven, eager to learn, and highly motivated to succeed.
ESL instructors—have you been improvising your way through teaching American English pronunciation and are now ready for a proven, systematic approach? Do you sense that this line of work could not only be lucrative but also incredibly rewarding?
You’ve already built a solid professional background, and while you’re proud of your accomplishments, you’re ready for a change. You don’t need to change careers—you just want to spend more time doing what you love, while working with some of the most motivated clients you’ve ever met. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge, a way to diversify your skills, or simply a path to more rewarding work, the P-ESL certification is your gateway to a thriving new chapter in your career.
Every one of those reasons was true for me when I decided to start offering my professional services in this field. And here are a few things I wish I knew back then:
- Don’t listen to any discouraging voices from people who are not familiar with your skills or professional background. This is a great, exciting field and these services are in demand by highly motivated professionals who understand the value in this professional support.
- There just is no other program as comprehensive, flexible and effective at accomplishing its purpose (measurably improved pronunciation accuracy and clarity) as Dr. Arthur Compton’s P-ESL Method. It is a step-by-step method that starts with an evaluation and guides the client through a step-by-step process that incrementally becomes more demanding as they work their way through an individualized 90-day plan that results in measurable improvement and progress.
- Months and years have a way of flying by while you’re not looking. It never pays to put off the decision to explore and learn something new. You’re going to discover options you don’t yet know about after taking the first couple of steps. Furthermore, a year from now you’ll regret the steps you don’t take today, so now is really the best time to get started .
I’m Joe Comeau, the Training Director, workshop leader and course coordinator for the ILP Training Division.
If you’re ready to shift your focus and make the most of every 24 hours, now’s the time to explore how you can start accomplishing new, exciting goals. Like many seasoned SLPs, after spending over a decade in various clinical settings, I found myself craving something fresh, something more engaging, something that reignited my passion for speech-language pathology.
If you’re convinced that your current commitments don’t leave time for anything new, that’s going to be true—until you change your mindset. I’ve heard countless SLPs and professionals express interest in offering accent and pronunciation training to motivated adults, but they often feel stuck, unable to carve out the time. The truth is, once you change how you view time and manage it, new doors will open.
There’s already a thriving community of professionals out there doing exactly what you want to do, and the marketplace is only expanding. By browsing the ILP Trainer Directory, you can connect with others who’ve taken the leap, share your thoughts, and get your questions answered.
And if you’re ready to take the plunge, there’s a robust network waiting for you inside The ILP Academy. Since 2008, I’ve been teaching the P-ESL method, and in 2012, we launched ILP Academy online. Initially, it was by invitation-only, offered for peer review. Now, ILP Academy has been providing P-ESL Certification online for over a decade, with thousands of certified instructors who’ve completed the training.
Here’s the best part—you don’t have to be an SLP to succeed in this field (though it certainly gives you an edge). While the P-ESL method was designed by SLPs, it’s not limited to them. Accent modification and pronunciation instruction isn’t regulated by state or national licensing boards, which means that ESL teachers, linguistics instructors, voice coaches, and even foreign language teachers can all benefit from this powerful training.
Our courses are open to any professional with at least three years of experience in communication disorders, ESL, linguistics, voice coaching, or related fields—or to those enrolled in graduate-level programs in Communication Disorders. You’ll get instant access to a growing collection of ILP Academy courses designed to teach you the entire process of helping clients achieve clearer, more confident American English pronunciation. And once you complete the certification, you’ll be fully equipped to offer these services in person or via web-conferencing.
Accent modification for foreign-born ESL speakers is in high demand, especially among professionals in leadership, management, and entrepreneurial roles. These will be your future clients!
The PESL method has been trusted for over three decades as the go-to approach for accent and pronunciation instructors. It’s used by independent trainers, university speech clinics, and English teachers worldwide because it offers a reliable, systematic framework.
It all starts with a personalized assessment. Using a detailed evaluation, you’ll identify the specific sounds and patterns that give your client a “heavy” or noticeable accent in American English. From there, you’ll create a roadmap—an individualized training plan tailored to their unique needs.
You can work one-on-one or combine the assessments of multiple learners for group instruction. With the step-by-step system we provide, you can run group classes with learners from any language background—whether their first language is Russian, Chinese, Spanish, or Hindi. Every student follows their own personalized program, even in group settings.
In just 90 days, your clients will see dramatic improvements, achieving a minimum of
- 50% easier to understand
- 50% more accurate pronunciation
- 50% fewer errors
- 50% less frustrating repetition
These are not exaggerated claims—they’re based on real research involving hundreds of learners from over 100 language backgrounds. And for many clients, results are even better, with improvements reaching 60%, 70%, 80% and higher. 50% is what most clients achieve just by showing up. The highly motivated professionals you’ll work with know the importance of clear communication, and their commitment ensures lasting success. They will likely strive for more than just the minimum.
English is the global language of business, and leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives around the world are eager to improve their communication skills to reach their goals. There’s a thriving market for pronunciation and accent instruction—and a relatively small pool of trained professionals like you ready to deliver it. And we haven’t even touched on the possibilities of web-based training.
Every component of the P-ESL system can be delivered online by a certified instructor. Yes, you’ll need to get comfortable with technology and web-conferencing platforms, but the rewards of expanding your reach and offering your expertise to clients anywhere in the world are well worth it.
Prefer in-person training? ILP Academy courses prepare you for both face-to-face and online instruction. Whether you picture yourself working in a studio, classroom, or office, or teaching clients virtually from anywhere, we provide you with the tools you need to succeed.
With PESL certification, you can start making an impact, growing your business, and helping clients achieve their communication goals—whereve