I tell my students, your accent is a reminder to everyone that you speak at least one other language. It's definitely something to be proud of. However, you don't want an accent so strong that people have difficulty understanding you.

I want to emphasize what Hadar mentioned that speaking clear and confident is more matter than speak like the native. I live in the US, and I have graduated from university here. When I started looking for a job, I had had the feeling that I will not get a job because of my accent. But when I interviewed, I always expressed my thoughts and skills as if I speak about that in my native language. I got a job, and most of the interviewers commented on my communication skills even though my English is not my mother language.

I dont care if i have an accent , i just wanna be clear and able to express my ideias,opinions etc..that's It. No big deal.

Being fluent as a first step. Once I'll be fluent I could get focused on pitch, rythm, intonation etc

You have freedom and don't seem to get stuck when speaking English. You also sound native so it's possible to have both. You worked very hard at losing your accent by doing what many have done (learning the nuances, different sounds, tone, rhythm, expressions, slang, grammar) and lived the language. You adopted the language. I'm sure you read aloud, recorded your voice, asked people to correct you, rehearsed and the many other things that many of us have done to sound native. I understand your point, but many of the two things go hand in hand. Someone who does the things I mentioned would also have read a lot, watched tons of movies, listened to music, lived with natives, experienced all types of things in the language and have done many, many things to fill in the gaps and learn what natives have learned (vocabulary, expressions, slang) and would very likely end up having a large vocabulary and possess the ability to express himself/herself well through that experience. The truth is, I feel the key is to have tons of intellectual curiosity and a passion for the language that leads you to do the work and adopt the language, live the language and persevere through the ups and downs. To be honest, a lot of people don't actually do certain necessary things to have an amazing command of a foreign language, much less focus on correcting their deficiencies related to pronunciation and the ability to sound natural. Having said that, languages and music are closely related and some people have a greater facility for them than others, but I truly believe that "Where there's a will, there's a way." I happily share my personal tips with others like you do, but I haven't seen them actually implement them to the degree I recommend. It requires a high level of obsession. Lol. I know you know what I'm talking about. I've seen your videos where you described being unhappy with your accent/way you spoke and that lead you to extreme measures. The ability to act (be an actor) and pick up on specific subtleties and nuances is also essential. Becoming part of the culture and developing other aspects of your personality are also important factors. The reason I like to speak like a native (accent, tone, rhythm, syntax, expressions, cultural knowledge, jokes, etcetera) is because it automatically brings you closer to other natives and they immediately feel a connection to you and bring you into their world. I think that's the point of "speaking like a native." It's having that shared experience. Not all native-speakers of a language have the same accent or practice the same culture, but there are many things that unite them. As someone who speaks Spanish fluently, I connect in that way with Spanish-speakers from all different Spanish-speaking countries. Jokes, expressions, anecdotes, cultural references, proverbs, double meanings, slang and the rest all help to create connections. This is an interesting topic and my belief is to strive to constantly improve in all aspects! Progression over perfection! Where there's a will, there's a way! ¡Querer es poder! Vouloir, c'est pouvoir!

I'm an American english speaker. So, when I first started listening to you. I assumed you were from America. How did you get so good at english. You speak just as good as any native speaker. Amazing

I don't wanna speak like a native speaker but, you know. My goal is become fluently and confidently in English not matter what if I don't lose my Brazilian accent

I"d rather be myself. I don"t mind about my accent. I am Brazilian. What is important is to communicate properly

i"m a spanish speaking (Mexican) living in yuma arizona, just imagine how i feel dont speak english. to me it is hard to understan people from south middle east ( and all over usa)...a couple of months ago i found your videos and listened your stories and you have motivated me a lot to close the circle...so i dont care about to have an accent ( its kind of my signature) im a shy person in spanish or english..jajaja and this makes my journey harder...but i dont care, now i know where i am going...no pain no gain thats the way

I wish I've gotten this memo three years ago! lol While in Brazil, speaking English was a joy for me. Once I moved to the US and started going through all the feelings and biases that you mention in the video, I've internalized the message that I won't be good enough unless I speak and express myself like them and I've been on this plateau for years. It ends today, though! Thank you for doing the hard work, Hadar. Most people still don't get it but we have to start somewhere!

Cool topic! We are really proud of our new (non-native) English teacher Dianne on our KZfaq channel! More power to everyone who would like to communicate clearly in English!

im a student a young man who have been chasing the outside approval for about two decades,i never looked inside me,i feel frustrated and broken everyday, i never get to know who i am and im like a wanderer a ghost that can be shaped by eveyone and eveywhere.thank you so much for the video ,it strengthened me to find myself and to live in the way i want.And u may have guessed ,im not a native speaker.Keep up with the excellent work you r doing,u are potentially affecting many other ones like me or from other area.

Freedom of course! For me is more important to be fluently, clearly and confident than to be nervous and with a " Perfect" pronounce. Thanks Hadar for the opportunity to learn with you.

Even if this problem is not new for me, your performances and what you transmit are so alluring and wise...! We want to be like you, independent and fluent! THANKS THANKS THANKS

This is a brilliant, brilliant analysis: a perfect blend of foreign language pedagogy, psychology, and … common sense! If I were learning English, I wouldn’t look further than this video for a teacher. Even before you had finished asking the first half of your initial survey question, you had me! I’ve never believed that achieving total fluency in a foreign language required losing one’s native accent. But, until now, I’ve never been aware that having such a goal could actually impede a language learner’s progress! Thank you so much for sharing your insights. I wish you great success!

We have a Russian friend , she lives in Armenia almost 50 years but she speaks with accent that's so sweet and we love when she speaks😇

I think accents are so beautiful, we have so many ways to pronounce the same word.

I want to speak like you... Become so fluid and fluent that I never thought in the first video I saw from you I never thought you were not a citizen of USA!!! When I was studying English the first time in an institute, I was told that after 13 years old nobody could speak as you do... I believed and never try to excel. You´re right at my 57 years old I just can improve it with your help and others. Additionally, you´ve attacked by mediocre people in the industry who are native, which cannot tolerate you are so dynamic and passionate, they cannot tolerate you. You´re superior in teaching.

Totally agree! Fluency, freedom, and expression are far more important to me than speaking like a native. I also try to improve my pronunciation to be better understood. Thanks!

I had an advanced level of English, with mimum mistakes, already back in the day. I was friends with Americans and foreigners, with them treating me equally. Discussing most of the things with them. Mingling, blending in. Me saying American jokes. People commentimg on how good my English is. Being able to watch most of movies, read almost any normal book. I received access to something that was not available to me as a child and seemed like an absolutely different world, big barrier. This is such a treasure. Of course, when your level of English is close to a level of a native person, great understanding of a foreign culture - People behave more at ease with you. So I'm addicted to this drug.... But to have your English fluent, at least, it would take many hours of being immersed in it...

I would choose number one. You know, oftentimes I wanna speak exactly like a native, but I get frustrated and feel sad about it, so I tend to get demotivated. However, when I forget about speaking perfectly, I feel more fluent. I think it's because I'm a kind of a perfectionist. But then, I realize my accent sounds weird, so I get frustrated again, it's like a circle.

I wish I heard this 34 years ago when I first immigrated to USA. Now, I get it. Thank you so much Hadar.

My number one goal is to feel confident with my english, for that I'd chose the option number 1

One of the native speakers I used to work with when telling me about his colleague who managed to get rid of the accent said - Well, his pronunciation was perfect but he was so concentrated and was speaking so slowly trying to articulate each and every word properly it was painful to look at him... I think we should relax. Our accent is our your identity, our roots. Improving it is a good thing as long as this task doesn't turn into an obsession that keeps us away from people we want to communicate with or makes us lose some career opportunities because we feel awkward, stupid, not good enough, etc

I choose the second one. I want to share my experience in learning English. I think learning English is not as exhaustive as you might suggest. Before I went into university, my English wasn't good. But in university, when I have more free time, I spend most of my free time on English reading and listening. Of course, it's time-consuming but you can have fun out of it. For example, I read a lot of English News about my own country and watch many interesting KZfaq English video. After a year, I can fluently read NYTimes and can understand nearly every sentence in English on KZfaq. But in that year, I also have to deal with my academic, but I succeed because I have the determination and the will. Now I want to improve English Speaking. With the determination, the goal is always within the reach

I couldn't imagine a nonnative teacher like yourself that could reach that level having an in-depth knowledge teaching with such clarity and an artistic happy mood style that would make jealous a lot of natives! I, really appreciate it! I declare your fan.

So proud of yourself when you introduced yourself as a speech coach! Go girl! I can't wait to watch your TED!

Hadar, you remind me of something that happened to me more than 30 years ago, I was working for a petroleum company as a young newly graduated engineer and my supervisor was an English man, who laughed sometimes when I speak in his language, one day I told him not to laugh while I am speaking in my second language and I asked him can you speak my Arabic, he said no. I told him ok then I am better than you, as 2 languages are better than one, he blushed and said well you got me. Thanks, Hadar , everyone should be proud of his origins

Hi, Hadar. I'm Spanish and I know a Spànish girl who went to London at the age of seventeen. She lived there until now when she's forty. I suppose she had to take English lessons at first. She has worked there, and when she was thirty-five she decided to study Osteopathy. She went to college and finally, she finished her degree and she's currently working in her career. Of course, she speaks English fast, fluently, and without hesitation, and she has a thick Spanish accent. That didn't prevent her to get an academic degree, to successfully work, to have a British couple, and to form a family.

I felt fear of inadequacy before. I felt I didn't deserve what life was giving me.( even whe I earned that opportunity myself.) I worked really hard to get that opportunity to study university abroad but when i finally got it I felt I didn't deserve it. And that I was unworthy .... I abandoned that opportunity Paralyzed to pursue my dreams.. You described it perfectly... You sound like my therapist that I never had. I felt guilty for a while now I'm studying in my country but I hope I can do my masters abroad. Thanks for existing

Spot on!! This simply applies to all areas of our life. We live only once and don't have to waste our precious time being like someone who we are not. Being clear and expressive like Jack Ma (great example) is good enough unless you get utmost satisfaction out of sounding like a native that results in your life in an absolute positive way. :-)

I have already had this thought! When I just started learning English I used to say I would like to sound like a native, but in fact, I didn`t have the maturity enough to understand this meaning! Now, after years I have so clear in my mind the existence of prejudice but I have worked on my ego to know that clarity is extremely more important!

Being Fluent is the key goal of my life , Accent can be secondary in my case . Hadar you are awesome you have both. In my dreams I speak like you

To everyone who's gonna read this : sorry for writing this much :-/ Last year I noticed that I had my Brazilian accent when I was speaking in English. I got obsessed with sounding like a native, and it was bad and good for two reasons : It was bad because I met an american group hanging around and I coudn't say anything to them when thay talked to me becuase I didn't want them to notice my accent (what a stupid reason, since they were in my country) that was terrible. But that obsession was also good, because I worked hard and changed my accent (even thow it doesn't sound 100% native) but people tell me that it sorta sounds native. Since then, I changed my mind. Now I want to express myself more than sound native, even thow I try to sound more native... But I know it's a tool that helps me to improve, and not the final goal.

I just want to be understandable. Deliver the message ❤️🇧🇷

Hadar, thank you for this video! It's literally made me cry. I'm constantly afraid of not be able to fit in. I'm Russian, so when people see me for the first time they assume that I'm white American. And I notice how change their face expression when they hear my accent. I have never had problem with communicating and making friends, so I'm trying to focus on positive thought that people like me because of my personality. Also becoming a minority made me more empathetic which is definitely a good thing.

Around two months ago, I posted a video called "I'm not trying to sound like a native Spanish speaker" right after I did my first ever public live stream of me speaking in Spanish. To me, what's more important is understanding what is said in Spanish like a native, which ultimately will help me with speaking. Also, to me, mistakes are opportunities to learn, and if I'm not making mistakes in Spanish, I probably am not challenging myself enough.

I wanna speak like a native. I'm longing to have American accent and I've been working really hard for that. Their accent is dope and it's kinda soothing and fascinating.

I found this video so appropiate. It is a shame that still in this world, we have barriers for the way we sound, or the way we look. There are more important aspects to be focus on. As you said: freedom. Thanks for all your words.

I actually need both 😁 I want to be fluent and to sound like a native speaker. I don't know how, you have got a power to touch our hearts, you are awesome. Thank you for helping us😊 Lots of love from India.❤️

I guess the second one works with me

This is a gem in the YT English space. Few English teachers dare to say this but you tell the truth. Thumbs up 👍

I can totally relate to this video. I've been there! I've always wanted to have that flawless accent. I've bought into the "speak like a native, or else your English won't be good enough"!! It took me a while to convince myself that I don't have to speak like a native, coz I do have a quasi-native accent but always felt I still need to be more fluent and expressive. Love you Hadar ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

absolutely the first one. it is important to express myself clearly i think.

I am absolutely in love with you Hadar. You helped me so much to overcome my fears and set up my goals properly. Everything you said in this video applies to other aspects of life. You are an amazing motivational speaker

Although I used to believe that I need to sound like a native but now I understand and know how important it is to express myself with fluency and have a rich vocabulary. No matter what I sound like. #1. 👍🏽

I loved this video Hadar! you understand how we feel when we want to improve English! Keep it up, girl!

To be honest you're a best english teacher with a method very simple. I'm french speaking in spite of I understand it very well.

I was told when I was learning English that my accent is my identity as a bilingual person. When I internalized that idea I started losing the fear to communicate

Hadar, I have seen your video recently And I’ve loved it. I’m 58 and I’ve been learning English for 2 years in order to travel because I’ll be retired. I’m not fluent and my accent sounds franch but it doesn’t mutter because when you communicate from your heart your are expressive even if you have a foreingh accent. Sorry for my written mistakes but I learn from my mistakes . God bless All of you

You're an exception Hadar, maybe's genetic. It's proven in psychology it's near impossible (not in your case though) for a non-native to develop a native accent after the age of say around 15. Some American lady commented here saying she thought you were a native speaker, adding "you speak just as good as any native speaker". I'd say you ARE a native speaker, and not "speak just as good"! Incredible!

I have just found you on youtube. And when you talk we feel how passionate you are teaching english. Great job !!!!

Great to see you in a live 🤗🤗✌️

This is so true and you’re a great example of what a non- native speaker can achieve. I’m always looking for videos to improve my pronunciation and most KZfaqrs are native English speakers, however you are my favourite, I can understand easily each lesson and I trust you. 💙

You are not a Native speaker? No way!!! You sound 200% American. At what age did you come to the US and how old are you now, dear?

I know many non-natives that speak like natives. Even though expressing yourself clearly is the most important aspect of learning a language, there's nothing wrong with trying to vanish a foreign accent. If it's not harmful, there's no such thing as wrong goals.

I would choose both of them 😂

Yes!!! I tell my students "everyone has an accent". Even in the U.S., there are different accents & dialects in different states. Just make sure the listener can understand you.

First ❤️

I've been in the US for over 42 years now, I've arrived in Queens, New York from Colombia when I was 16 years old. I grew up watching American movies, and listening to British and American music, I always wanted to understand and speak English, I wanted to watch movies without subtitles. I used to study on my own translating all Beatles record albums and singing along with them. I think it took me about a year to become fully fluent. I guess I always knew I've be coming to the US someday since my parents were already here, well is a long story, anyway for me at this point after living for so many years here in US I find to be a personal challenge to sound as "American" as possible, No, it's not vanity or a necessary, It's more of a challenge. Since Covid 19 started I've been listening and watching Hadar's videos and they've helped me enormously, as Spanish speaker I feel that we don't pay attention to the nuisance and small intricacies and details that come with the American pronunciations of certain syllables and words, some of us just don't care of how we come across and I guess we're just plain lazy, or perhaps we old timers didn't have the tools that are available now, such as the Internet and all of these technologies and amazing videos. I find myself sometimes having to engage my brain before speaking in pronouncing words correctly, I kind of make a switch in my train of thought, from pronouncing words in Spanish to English, for instance let that "V" vibrate when you speak it, pronounce that "th" correctly, pay attention on how you pronounce those contractions, small details mean a lot, and practice, practice, practice. I want to thank Hadar and every other teacher in you tube for posting all these informative videos, rich in valuable content. Thanks a million and God bless.

what if you're white and disabled? what if you're black but managed to get into Harvard? hey maybe if everyone stopped pointing out other's races everywhere they go instead of judging their being by itself racism wouldn't be such a big problem.

Freedom is everything! Fluency isn't not having an accent... Fluency is speaking freely, but having an accent, just proves you're a winner at speaking another language than your own. Have I told you're gorgeous already? 😂😂😂😉😉😉

Such inspiring video, I agree with everything you sad and my opinion is very similar to yours. I don't have a goal to get rit of my accent, I am not English and I never be and I even don't want, but YES I want to understand English language 100%and speak fluently so people can easily understand me. I want to read books in English because there is bigger choice, I want to read authors in original language.... I want so many things.... And thanks a lot Hadar! You are doing wonderful job, I appreciate that. Your approach is different, I think you are REAL TEACHER! Because real teachers goes deeper no matter what subject they teaching. You start with English language and ending teaching LIFE. I am sending you lots of Love, and success in your teaching ( business). ♥️♥️♥️

Miss, you are a strong powerful woman and I am so empowered by the encouraging words you are giving to us. Thank you very much for the work you are doing. You are invaluable to all of us who appreciate your teachings. Much Success to you!

Thanks a lot for your video. So to answer to your question, i have to stop the video at first, then i ll continue watch it. To be honest, i pick the first option. It is about feeling completly free and so expressive and say whatever i want to say to myself and to others, and to never feel stuck as now. After acheiving my fluency why not i try to speak a lilltle bit like a native, why not. Because i like this accent, but i prefer start small and to humble. I am not american hhhh. Good luck to everyone here whi wants to acheive fluency.

You are a few of those beautiful souls who are changing the world for the better. You have been the voice of the invicible ones, the ones who have been discriminated for being non native and not the "right color". The world is a better place with you in it. Huge hugs ❤ for you Hadar!

I used feel like am gonna wrong while speaking now I understood that mistakes give experience and experience make you fluent. That's great ma'am. Spark has been erected.

For a long, long long time I was convinced sounding like a native was crucial. That would make me stand out from the rest and I´d be praised and people would be interested in me. Until I found someone who had quite a strong accent however that person could speak just about everything without being misunderstood a single time. Nowadays, I am much more relaxed about it. I still catch myself mimicking but step by step I´m leaving it behind. Your video totally hit home. Thank you for taking the time to do it.

Both can be achievable for sure. I wouldn't choose one of those because I'm a truly believer that if you put all the effort on those things you like/want you can achieve it. Always keeping forward and never give up

ONE, of course! But sometimes when I feel I'm improving I found more and more vocabulary and stuffs in English that make me desire to give up...

I choose #1 option, Feel confident about communication and could be express myself clear is my goal. Even the native people has different accents.

I grew up in Canada, living in Brazil now and teaching English here and I always tell them that there's nothing wrong with having an accent. Your accent is part of your culture and a part of who you are. And when people say: Speak like a native speaker...but a native speaker from where? North America has a HUGE variety of accents, then we have the UK with different regional accents as well...New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, etc. I tell students that they must focus on pronunciation...you have to pronounce words correctly in order to be understood. But, don't worry about speaking like a "native".

Thank you for covering this in detail and from a realistic point of view. You absolutely do not need to sound like a native. It's so much better to think like a native and get your thoughts and expressions out, even with an accent.

i would say, i choose option 2. im an Chinese-English interpreter and sounding native is a big deal. it is the most convincing evidence of your competency as an interpreter, esp. here in China where people really judge you by your accent

You've opened my blindfold of native English

Accent is not a problem. It's part of someone's identity. Speaking clear English is good! Who doesn't want to? But It's amazing to listen someone communicating and showing where he/she is. English power for everyone who wants to make a difference!

I'm loving it, I'm listening to such encouraging words! Image or freedom!

Oh my dear lady, I was not expecting such a deep discussion when I started your video to have some exercise. My all supports are with you on this sensitive topic.

Option 1 of course, the accent always come with you even in your mother tongue so it was easy to choose

Wow. You are the first English teacher to say that. The others always try to sell the idea "speak like me, like a native" -I wonder if they speak another language . How many people have give up because this marketing cliché made them feel they weren't good enough? I speak german, italian and english, not as good as I want, but enough to communicate. I am not proud of my language because I didn't work for it. I'm poud for the bad or good german, italian and english I speak. It was hard, and I'm working more every day to impove them.

Ive actually experienced of insecurity in English because of my accent. My accent is actually relatively good ( not perfect like Hadar) but I lack vocabulary and grammar in English. Everyone tells me that “ oh wow you are fluent in English! where did you acquire that?” And I am like.. “ thanks….” I was confident and happy to speak up and convey all my thoughts but when I faced criticism from other English learners, I begun to diminish myself. Even my English teacher told me I don’t use advance vocabulary. I was very blue. I’ve been experiencing an imposter syndrome. Whenever I hear the compliment of “you are so fluent. Your English is just great”, I feel like I am a fraud. But now I realized that I love expressing myself the way I do in English. I don’t care what other people think. Just wanna enjoy conversing with various people. Wanna have friends from other side of the world:) thanks Hadar! You are a gold!

Haddar you are that person I didn't know I needed in my life. Like me, You motivate many people. Thanks for existing.

Bacause of your videos now i feel more confidence by my self..! I can not be more agree with you. And l remember when @andres en ingles said once something like.., "if you are not a native english speaker it's because you speak two lenguages and that has value. Love you hadar.

I subscribed to you YT channel last week. Very good content and I just followed you on Spotify. I am a native English speaker teaching English in Poland. I do not care if my students "sound" native, I only want them to pronounce words, especially numbers and etc. well enough to be understood. What I observe is lack of vocabulary, often simple but everyday vocabulary (floor, ceiling, overcast, wrist, elbow, etc.). I want my students to be able to speak, understand and etc. English well enough to communicate. Grammar is overemphasized in my opinion, even as a native speaker of English I make grammatical mistakes constantly but get my point across and have no issue communication in English.

You are changing my mindset about speaking fluently in English and some aspect of life as well. First of all, you need to be just the way you are in all of the things you do. And until now I still try to overcome two crucial fears that being human is facing: 1. inadequacy (= you are not enough, you need to try more and more to make others satisfy) ==> in reality, I absolutely needn't do that 2. abandonment (=rejection): Fear of rejection, if you don't take action like them, you will alone ==> no need to do that, because you have your own idea and your own perspective.. You do not need acceptance from the other people for who you are. I really love the two things that you recommend in this EP. Love you 3000🥰🥰🥰

Your video is amazing. You tell everybody the truth about the fear of image and freedom. This applies not only to English language, but also in many aspects of our life. Thank you very much for your inspiring video

Absolutely right. In my case I'm always afraid about speaking up and expressing my tboughts. I feel like my mind gets Frozen, I can't find words and I feel that there is no assimilation about what I should say and what I'm saying. Now I start working on myself to be confident enough to speak freely. Thank you so much for your efforts

Watch your videos is like taking an English class and therapy at the same time Thank you 💖

You're the best of the best my beautiful English coach. I really love you so much. Thanks for everything Hadar shemesh.

Choosing "English expertise" Vs "Native accent">> My Answer: Native accent (WRITING THIS COMMENT AT 2 MINUTES OF THE VIDEO). Explained below: To me this is a tough question - I do have a reasonably good command over English since I started learning English from age 4. My IELTS overall was 7.5 and individual 7.0. But I face these issues- 1) I don't have enough vocabulary for speaking (I am satisfied with my writing skills, since I get time to think) 2) Slow in speaking compared to my mother tongue, since I have to stop to find words 3) I do get looked down because of my accent (I live in North America), 4) I get prejudiced over "potential imaginary cultural differences" which doesn't exist, and have trouble finding close native English friends. Difference in accent automatically gives warnings on cultural differences, whereas you may culturally be the same. 5) I get considered as someone ignorant (a soft/easy target for potential fraud, which they later realize as a stupid decision.>> I make sure of this ;-) for myself and for other immigrants who get exploited for their ignorance and niceness). Most North Americans, when they hear an accent, automatically think 'he/she does not know enough'. I have lived in many countries on long-term basis and I have shared room with people of many languages/countries for extensive period. In my experience, the below factors help a North American to "feel superior" over others. (Sometimes ignorance is a boon). Most North Americans: a)haven't travelled to other countries, OR b)only travelled short term (2 months or less) and c)know very little (or don't care) about other countries, their life-style and techniques d)cannot understand the difference between "North America is great" and "ONLY North America CAN be great", and mean the latter when they say the former. e)doesn't have a close relative who lives in a foreign country on a long-term basis, ie, long enough to practically experience and develop REAL RESPECT about other cultures and educate the family (instead of "acting" interest/respect about other cultures/nationalities while laughing at the same thing in their own family/friends circle) For the above reasons, I cannot choose between expertise and native accent. I am working on both. However, I am forced to choose one>> So, at my level of English, I will choose "NATIVE ACCENT" over "expertise", to protect myself from #3 to #5. EDIT: My comment after listening to the whole video: Oh dear...You explained it so well and exposed two MONSTERS hiding inside my heart- the fears of INADEQUACY and REJECTION. I will continue my efforts to improve my expertise and accent, but I will start giving positive points to myself. I will actively put effort to get out of those fears. Let me recap my most important lessons>> "The stories we tell ourselves and the goals we set are crucial... I sound clear and confident in English. My English is ENOUGH". I can't thank you enough for diagnosing my fear diseases. Only you can do this Hadar. Your life-lessons are a non-substitutable resource for us. No native teacher will be able to tell me this. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge. Love you. (I still stand by my five points that are mentioned above. Those are FACTS, not MYTHS, summarized based on my personal observations and experience. I think the video is in agreement with my five points)

I love you Hadar, thanks. Nobody has told me ever what you have told me today through this video. You are saving my life !

Having an accent and 💯 percent fluent and confident and clear. That’s what I would love 💕

Her video is not just about how to be succeed in your English, it's more than just being fluently. Sometimes we have loads of dissatisfaction with our life, we assume that we are not enough good, trying to prove to people surround us to pretend better, you are right. Just be yourself, not pretend fake glamour beautiful life, because your feelings is more important than opinion of someone .

I couldn't agree with you more, Hadar! I'm in (practically) the same position as you are, in that ENGLISH IS NOT MY NATIVE LANGUAGE, BUT I DO SPEAK ACCENT-FREE, NATIVE SOUNDING ENGLISH. Albeit British English in my case. Plus I have the right to teach English as a second language. This, Hadar, only makes people like you and me the exception and not the rule. I'm convinced that especially adult learners of English should not be judged for their inability to sound like Americans or Brits. It's just not fair. As long as intelligibility is not impeded, any and all accents are ok in my book. After all, we're all natives of somewhere... I'm from The Netherlands.🇳🇱 You're from Israel.🇮🇱 Bless you and every one else on this planet

Option one for me: I prefer to speak English fluently even though other people may guess where I come from (France) or at least guess I am a non-native english speaker. God bless you Hadar!

OF COURSE, I'd love to have a perfect American accent, BUT I'm from Brazil and my accent is exactly who I am. I'm proud of being a non-native speaker and still be able to communicate with people from around the world. I took a six-year English course in Brazil and I didn't have native teachers, all my teachers were Brazilians and I can tell from experience that it paid off, since I speak English with native speakers 5 times a week through the Internet and they tell me great things about my English. Here is my straightforward opinion: Who he doesn't look at the stars, will never take your feet from the ground. My "goal" is to speak English like a native, even though I know it's not necessary (and extremely difficult), but the more I try to make it real, the better my English becomes.

I'm striving for best of both, but if I were to prioritize a skill, I'd go with being able to express myself fluently despite the accent. The right words convey a lot more information to the listener.

You are absolutely right I first time see type of teacher who speaks out loud about this things it’s kind of psychology of human been and this problem exists in every part of our life and if we will get it in English then we will be able to over this problem and fears in other areas of our lives 💙🔥🔥🔥

I also want to say , How a native speaker is created ? first had no other language competing in his or her brain , later all he or she hear form his time at his mom`s womb was English is born into 24-7 English speaking environment and only after 12 to 15 years starts to sound like a true mature native so yes , it is hard , yes it requires a lot of work but it is an amazing long term goal to have !

Hadar, I love the way you explain things. Having learned English yourself, you know what you're talking about. And you explain it so clearly.