1 Answer

It's not the accent, it's how the children are hearing the words. PEN and PIN sound alike. The teacher should have used the words in a sentence. When teaching spelling, have the children to put the words in a sentence, especially when the words sound alike. They should also know the definition of the words.

Ex.

The farmer keeps his pigs in a pen.

Do you have an blue ink pen?

The kindergarten teacher pinned a note to Dave's shirt with a safety-pin. 

Mom used a rolling pin to flatten the dough.

Now, what's really bad, is when people with a strong accent is talking to you over the telephone.  I get these calls all the time. They are trying to sell me something or want me to donate to a cause. Many times I can't understand what they are saying. We have to take this conversation slower. They understand they have a strong accent and comply.