Dr Norman
Here are the video links to the pronunciation videos below!
They should work now!
For the video on consonant production, go to https://youtu.be/yCaoI2oxEfo
For the video on vowel production, go to https://www.advancedenglishlearning.com/free-English-pronunciation-lessons
To develop your speech so that you produce the sounds automatically when you speak, you may benefit from our 4 week online program which will help take you there with just 15 minutes of practice a day!
Dr Norman
Director
Advanced English Learning
Dr Norman
These are very helpful tips Miranda!
I would love to add to them with the following two offerings for students which show how how to use your mouth and tongue to produce sounds.
1. First is this Youtube video I have put together on how to make different consonant sounds in English. See below.
2. Second is the video I have put together showing how to make long and short vowel sounds in English. To see this video, go to https://www.advancedenglishlearning.com/free-English-pronunciation-lessons
<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yCaoI2oxEfo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I hope you find these useful!
Best wishes
Dr Norman
Director
Advanced English Learning
Of all of the components of English fluency--reading, writing, listening and speaking--speaking can be the hardest to master. Because there are hundreds of different English dialects, English words are not always spelled phonetically and the sounds that make up the English language are not used in all other languages, English language learners can become frustrated when trying to pronounce English words correctly. However, there are some tips that can help you pronounce English words more accurately.
Learn the IPA
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) can help English language learners perfect their pronunciation by giving them a method for learning and practicing English sounds. The IPA provides symbols that correspond to each of the sounds in the English language. Have a native English speaker write a sample word that corresponds to the sound that each symbol represents. Then, find an English dictionary that features IPA phonetic spelling. Practice each of the word's sounds individually; then try to put them together to pronounce the entire word correctly. You can also practice using the numerous IPA pronunciation exercises available online.
Learn How Sounds Are Made
Different sounds are made by moving your mouth and tongue in different ways, restricting or allowing the flow of air and changing the shape of your lips. Learn how the English sounds you are struggling with are made; then try to improve your pronunciation by making a conscious effort to physically produce them.Spend extra time learning to use your vocal apparatus to produce the most common sounds in the English language, like the "schwa" sound.
Use a Mnemonic Device
If you constantly have trouble with a few tricky words, find a word or a phrase that helps you remember how those particular words are pronounced. For instance, if you're having trouble pronouncing the word "tired," you might remember it by thinking that it sounds like a car tire with a "d" tacked to the end of it.
Expose Yourself to Spoken English
The more you hear spoken English, the better English pronunciation you will have. When you hear English words said over and over again, pronouncing them correctly will eventually become second nature. For this reason, it's important that you surround yourself with English as much as possible, whether this means watching English television or going to an English-speaking country.