The King's Speech sparks resurgence of elocution lessons

[Richard Roman]

Figures show the number of people seeking voice coaching has more than doubled in a year in response to the depressed jobs market.

Some tutors put the rise down to the popularity of The King’s Speech, saying it prompted a renewed focus on the personal benefits of speaking clearly and effectively.

Others said they had been inundated with calls from parents who fear their children are struggling to articulate themselves after spending too much time on the internet.

According to research, the desire to lose or soften regional accents was cited as the biggest reason for elocution lessons, with the number of enquiries from Birmingham outstripping other areas.

Susan Nataly Coombes, a concert soprano who teaches elocution and public speaking in central London, said demand was also high among City bankers and other businessmen who need to speak clearly for meetings, presentations and video conferences........................although tutors also cited rising demand among foreigners seeking to improve their language skills to work in the UK.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9022649/The-King...