improve your Pronunciation

IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH SPEAKING

Good English pronunciation can be a difficult skill to gain, but with focused practice you can learn to pronounce English clearly.

Tips to help you practice English pronunciation

• Listen to other native English speakers, try to repeat the speech you hear. Pay attention to the way English speakers pronounce words, listen to the tone and the rhythm of the English language.
• Slow down your speech. If you speak too quickly, it can make it more difficult for native English speakers to understand you.
• Practice speaking English with native English speakers and record yourself when you speak. This will help you to become more aware of the common mistakes you are making.
• Practice reading aloud in English every day.
• Take care when you pronounce the endings of words. Often these can be left out by some speakers of other languages.

Here are five tips to improve English pronunciation:

1. Listen and imitate: One of the most effective ways to improve pronunciation is by listening to native speakers and imitating their speech. Watch movies, TV shows, or listen to podcasts in English. Pay attention to the intonation, stress, and rhythm of the language. Practice shadowing, which involves listening to a phrase or sentence and repeating it, trying to mimic the sounds and patterns of the speaker’s voice [1].

2. Record yourself: Recording yourself speaking English can help you become aware of your pronunciation errors. Speak aloud and record your voice, either repeating phrases you’ve heard or engaging in speaking tasks. Listen back to the recording and identify areas where you need improvement. Pay attention to sounds, intonation, and word stress that may be challenging for you [1][2].

3. Speak slowly and mindfully: Speaking too quickly can lead to pronunciation errors. Take your time when speaking and be mindful of your breathing and voice projection. Slow down your speech and give yourself time to think about what you want to say and how to say it. Speaking at a slower pace allows you to catch mistakes before they occur and improves clarity and accuracy [2].

4. Visualize mouth movements: Pronunciation is a physical skill, so visualizing how to form the correct sounds can be helpful. Before speaking, close your eyes and mentally picture how your mouth and face should move to produce the sound correctly. Practicing in front of a mirror can also aid in mastering challenging sounds by allowing you to observe and adjust your mouth movements [2].

5. Identify problem words: Be aware of words or sounds that pose difficulties for you. Focus on improving your pronunciation of these problem areas. Listen carefully to how native speakers pronounce those words and practice them repeatedly. Tongue twisters can be useful for training your mind and muscle memory to produce specific sounds accurately [2].

Remember, consistent practice and exposure to spoken English are key to improving your pronunciation.

Eplosive sounds at the end of words!
D T B P G K.

Let me be brief, these are the common mistakes we’ve talked about:

 1. Acre – /ˈeɪ.kɚ/

Diphthong EI not A!

 2. Sponge – /spʌndʒ/

Sound U like in UP!

 3. Debut – /ˈdeɪ.bju/

DAY + BEAU

 4. Reservoir – /ˈrez.ɚ.vwɑːr/ or /ˈrez.ɚ.voːr/

Be careful with the stress, it’s on the first syllable

 5. Cambridge – /ˈkeɪm.brɪdʒ/

Again EI not A!

 6. Alien – /ˈeɪ.li.ən/

You guess it!

 7. Squirrel – /ˈskwɝː.əl/ (Am)

Pronounce it as if it’s only one syllable.

 8. Colleague – /ˈkɑː.liːɡ/

The stress is on the first syllable, the second syllable retains a long ee sound but it’s quieter!

 9. Algebra – /ˈæl.dʒə.brə/

It’s a dg sound like in gym.

 10. Geometry – /dʒiˈɑː.mə.tri/

Same and the stress is on the second vowel!

There are 19 vowel sounds in a neutral British English accent.
Although written English has the common spellings -a- -e- -i- -o- and -u-; the combinations of these spellings can produce 19 different sounds.
To pronounce each sound we have to use a unique position of the mouth: with a different jaw, lip & tongue position.
In this video we are going to focus on the long e Sound (/ɜ:/ like in girl).
Pay attention to the position of my mouth when pronouncing each word and imitate the movement of my jaw, lip & tongue.

To improve pronunciation in English, there are several tools and apps available that can be helpful. Here are some of the best tools to improve pronunciation:

Phonemic Chart: The phonemic chart is a visual representation of the sounds in English. It helps learners understand and practice the different vowel and consonant sounds in the language. By familiarizing yourself with the phonemic chart, you can improve your perception and production of English sounds. You can find online versions of the phonemic chart or use apps that provide interactive charts to practice pronunciation [1].

1. Say It: Pronunciation: Say It: Pronunciation is an app developed by Oxford University Press. It allows users to practice the pronunciation of over 35,000 words. The app provides features such as pronunciation tests, audio recordings, waveform analysis, and the ability to compare your pronunciation with that of a model speaker. Say It: Pronunciation offers a free version, but a paid version with additional features is available [2].
2. ELSA Speak: ELSA Speak is an app that uses artificial intelligence to help learners improve their American English pronunciation. It offers a speaking test to identify pronunciation problems and provides personalized lesson plans based on the test results. ELSA Speak also allows users to have conversations with the AI software and receive feedback on their pronunciation. The app aims to enhance sound clarity by providing guidance on lip and tongue movements [2].
3. FluentU: FluentU is an app that provides immersive language learning through authentic videos. It includes a feature for improving pronunciation by providing video clips with interactive subtitles. The subtitles show the pronunciation of each word, allowing learners to listen, repeat, and compare their pronunciation with native speakers. FluentU covers a wide range of topics and offers a diverse selection of videos to practice pronunciation [3].
4. Pronunroid – IPA Pronunciation: Pronunroid is an Android app that focuses on teaching English pronunciation using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). It provides audio recordings and phonetic transcriptions for thousands of words, allowing learners to practice and improve their pronunciation. The app helps users understand the individual sounds of English and how they are represented in the IPA [3].

These tools and apps can assist you in improving your pronunciation skills in English. Remember to practice regularly and actively engage with the material to make the most of these resources.

Do you feel embarrassed when you speak English because you feel that your pronunciation is bad or maybe you are simply afraid to make grammar mistakes when you speak? Not to worry, let’s look into how to learn English the right and easy way.

Tips to help you practice English pronunciation

• Listen to other native English speakers, try to repeat the speech you hear. Pay attention to the way English speakers pronounce words, listen to the tone and the rhythm of the English language.
• Slow down your speech. If you speak too quickly, it can make it more difficult for native English speakers to understand you.
• Practice speaking English with native English speakers and record yourself when you speak. This will help you to become more aware of the common mistakes you are making.
• Practice reading aloud in English every day.
• Take care when you pronounce the endings of words. Often these can be left out by some speakers of other languages.

Learn Italian by speaking!

Learn Spanish by speaking!

Speak Spanish From Day One.

Here are 20 rules of English pronunciation:

1. Short words have short vowels.
2. Two vowels side-by-side make a long vowel.
3. Keep vowels short before double consonants.
4. Pronounce double consonants as a single letter.
5. Pronounce double consonant “TT” as “D”.
6. If “E” is at the end of a word, it’s silent.
7. Pronounce “C” like “S” when followed by “I,” “E,” or “Y”.
8. Unstressed vowels make a “schwa” sound.
9. Pronounce the word ending “TION” with a “SH” sound.
10. “G” and “K” are always silent before “N” at the beginning of a word.
11. Pronounce “S” like “Z” at the end of a word.
12. Pronounce “S” like “Z” between two vowels.
13. Pronounce “X” like “GZ” before a stressed syllable.
14. Pronounce “X” like “Z” at the beginning of a word.
15. “Y” is both a consonant and a vowel.
16. “NG” sometimes sounds like two letters stuck together.
17. Past tense endings aren’t always pronounced as “D”.
18. Sometimes “H” is silent.
19. Pronounce “OO” as a short “U” when followed by “K”.
20. Pronounce “EI” as a long “E” if it comes after “C” in a stressed syllable.

These rules are from FluentU English, which provides a comprehensive list of 25 English pronunciation rules [1]. It’s important to note that these rules are focused on General American English pronunciation and may vary for other English dialects.

Additionally, the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries website provides a comprehensive guide to English pronunciation, including consonant and vowel sounds [3]. The Merriam-Webster website also offers a guide to pronunciation, but the specific page could not be parsed [2].

Please note that English pronunciation is complex and these rules provide a basic understanding. Learning pronunciation through practice, exposure, and guidance from a teacher or language resources can greatly enhance your skills.

The first English lesson should deal with pronunciation. When you don’t do pronunciation first, you have to do something else than pronunciation. And then whatever you do and if it involves speaking, then bad pronunciation habits are formed. If you don’t know how to pronounce and yet you pronounce your own way at the beginning of your learning, then you are building your habits in the wrong way. Learning words without pronunciation on the first lesson is damaging. There are two possibilities that are recommended: (1) learn pronunciation from the beginning and speak from the beginning, (2) learn without pronunciation, but do not speak (you will start speaking at a later stage – after learning pronunciation).

https://youtu.be/k57UkxLV-XUhttps://youtu.be/n4NVPg2kHv4https://youtu.be/USKrBTvgY_s

Cookie? Biscuit? Bikkie? They all mean the same thing! Our lovely English teachers will quickly show you some pronunciation and vocabulary differences from Australia, America, and England!

Some of the powerful tools for speaking English well. These ebook sand videos aim to identify and help with the pronunciation of the 39 phonetic symbols of the English language.

there are other resources and apps that can be helpful for improving English pronunciation. Here are a few mentioned in the sources:

1. Say It: Pronunciation: This app, developed by Oxford University Press, focuses on helping learners improve the clarity of their pronunciation. It offers various features such as pronunciation tests, touchable letters from the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), recording and comparing your pronunciation with a model speaker, and more. The app provides a large database of words for practice. The free version offers limited usability, while the full version can be purchased for $6.99. [1]
2. ELSA Speak: ELSA Speak is an app that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to act as your own American English pronunciation teacher. It offers a speaking test to identify your pronunciation problems, personalized lesson plans, immediate feedback on how to improve your pronunciation, and various types of lessons including pronunciation, listening, syllable stress, and conversation. The app provides a free 7-day trial version and offers in-app purchases ranging from $0.99 to $99. [1]Accent Training: Accent Training is an app designed for iPad and Android devices. It focuses on important elements of pronunciation such as reduced speech, intonation, and connected speech. The app offers practices for listening to and using reduced speech, reading passages while observing reduced phrases, recording yourself and comparing it to

To improve your English pronunciation, watching videos can be an effective way to practice and enhance your skills. Here are some of the best videos and resources available to help improve your English pronunciation:

1. YouGlish: YouGlish is a powerful tool that allows you to search for words or phrases and find videos on YouTube where native speakers say those words or phrases. This can help you listen to and imitate the pronunciation of words in authentic contexts. You can choose from various English-speaking regions, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and New Zealand. [1]
2. Oxford Online English: Oxford Online English offers a collection of free English pronunciation lessons on their website. These video lessons cover various topics, including English pronunciation secrets, weak forms, contractions, sentence stress, British and American English pronunciation differences, and more. The lessons provide explanations, demonstrations, and practice exercises to help you improve your pronunciation skills. [2]
3. British Council: The British Council provides valuable tips and resources for improving English pronunciation on their website. They emphasize the importance of listening to authentic speech and provide suggestions such as watching films in the original version, listening to podcasts, and paying attention to intonation. They also recommend recording yourself, getting familiar with the phonemic chart, using dictionaries with audio pronunciations, and practicing exercises specific to your native language. [3]

These resources offer a combination of listening to native speakers, imitating their pronunciation, understanding phonetic symbols, and practicing exercises to improve your English pronunciation. Incorporating these videos and tips into your learning routine can help you develop clearer and more confident English pronunciation skills. Remember to listen carefully, repeat and imitate the sounds, and practice consistently for the best results.

It may seem like a trivial issue, but there are differences in British, Canadian and America spelling, and mastering them is part of improving your language skills. This table show you the various spellings used and can be easily searched by using “Ctrl + F”. You will notice Canadian English generally follows British spelling, but often the American alternative is possible too. British, Canadian and American Spelling

To improve your English pronunciation, there are several tools and apps available that can be helpful. Here are some of the best tools to enhance your English pronunciation:

1. Phonemic chart: The phonemic chart is an interactive guide that represents the different sounds in English. It can help you understand and practice the specific sounds of English words. You can explore the chart and familiarize yourself with the sounds by clicking on the symbols. This tool can be useful for improving your perceptual skills and identifying the differences in vowel sounds. [1]
2. English Accent Coach: English Accent Coach is an online game designed to improve your perceptual skills. Developed by Canadian linguist Dr. Ron Thomson, it allows you to select specific sounds to work on and tests your recognition of those sounds. By listening to the sounds and identifying the corresponding symbols, you can enhance your ability to differentiate between similar sounds and improve your pronunciation. [1]
3. YouGlish: YouGlish is a useful tool that allows you to search for words on YouTube and find hundreds of examples of people saying those words. This tool can help you listen to the correct pronunciation of words in different contexts, enabling you to practice and improve your pronunciation. It is especially helpful for words with irregular spellings and pronunciation variations. [1]
4. Say It: Pronunciation: Say It: Pronunciation is an app developed by Oxford University Press. It offers a wide range of words for pronunciation practice, allowing you to take pronunciation tests, listen to the sounds of each letter, record your voice, and compare it to the model speaker. It provides waveform visualizations and offers features to help you stress the correct parts of words. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, with a free version and a paid version for full access. [2]
5. ELSA Speak: ELSA Speak is an app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help improve your American English pronunciation. It offers a speaking test to identify your pronunciation problems and creates personalized lesson plans based on your results. With its AI software, you can practice conversations and receive instant feedback on your pronunciation. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, with a free trial version and in-app purchases for the full version. [2]
6. FluentU: FluentU is an immersive language learning platform that provides real-world English videos, including movie trailers, news clips, and more. It offers interactive captions with translations, definitions, and pronunciation examples. By watching and listening to authentic English content, you can improve your pronunciation and comprehension skills. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. [3]

These tools and apps can be valuable resources to enhance your English pronunciation skills. Remember to practice regularly, listen attentively, and imitate native speakers to develop a more accurate and confident pronunciation.