There is one aspect of American English that confuses many people who do not speak English as their native language. This is pronunciation.
If you have been speaking English with American pronunciation for a while, you know why pronunciation can be a difficult skill, especially when learning English as a second language.
For example, in a student’s native language there is most likely a completely different system of intonation, rhythm and timing than in American English. Another problem is that there may be sounds in American English that have no exact equivalent in the student’s native language.
In this article, there are ten tips that are designed to help English language students learn how to pronounce words like Americans do.
1. Learn the sounds of English
Every language has its own particular set of sounds.
It seems that many languages share common sounds, but the fact is that there are often subtle differences between sounds which may sound similar. These differences are very noticeable to native speakers when they hear the language.
For example, the short sound “uh” in American English is very different from the “U” sound in Japanese because of the way the sound is made in the mouth. This is why it is important to know how to pronounce all the vowel and consonant sounds in American English.
2. Learn schwa (the neutral vowel sound)
Schwa is a unique sound which is used for almost all unstressed vowels in American English.
Simply put, it sounds like a very weak “uh” and is found in almost every phrase in American English. Schwa may be a short, weak sound, but it is very important since it is a distinctive part of American English.
Now it’s time to practice!
3.Be able to distinguish the sounds L and R
In some languages, R and L are interchangeable, while in others, one or both of the sounds do not exist at all.
Unfortunately, both the R and L sounds are very common in American English, and not knowing how to pronounce one or both sounds properly can lead to a lot of mistakes in your pronunciation.
4. Use a dictionary
If you’re not sure how certain words or sounds are pronounced in American English, there is no reason to be embarrassed. Simply check a dictionary and remember the proper pronunciation.
If you have Internet access, you can easily find audio dictionaries and listen to the correct pronunciation.
5. Make a list of words
There are probably quite a few English words that are challenging for you to pronounce. It would be a good idea to make a list of the words that confuse you as well as words with sounds that are especially difficult for you to pronounce.
6. Watch video lessons
After you have identified which words and sounds are especially difficult for you when you speak English, try watching video lessons that will help you with these words and sounds.
There are quite a few free tutorials on AccentOnSpeaking.com.
You can also subscribe to YouTube channels that are dedicated to teaching American English.
7. Record yourself
You will never really progress in learning American pronunciation if you don’t know your level and how good your conversational skills are. So it is important to record yourself speaking English and listen to it later. You’ll be able to compare your pronunciation with that of native speakers.
8. Speak phrases and sentences
Even if you know how to pronounce every word in English, that doesn’t mean you’ll say them correctly when you have to speak English in an actual conversation. This is especially true if you only say words by themselves and don’t use them in phrases and sentences.
This is why you should practice your pronunciation of American English in real phrases and sentences and not just speak individual words. Remember that words are meant to be used together with other words, not alone. No one speaks just individual words. Everyone speaks in phrases and sentences.
9. Focus on just one sound in each practice session
Try learning sounds gradually. Focus on practicing one sound, and try to understand how it is formed by the organs of speech. This is much more effective than casually going through all the sounds in American English without really examining any of them in detail.
10.Practice, practice, practice!
There are no shortcuts. If you want to be able to regularly pronounce words properly according to American English, your organs of speech need to develop muscle memory in order to pronounce the sounds used.
This is the only way to reach your goal. Continuous practice and repetition are the keys to success. Once your organs of speech understand how to pronounce English words, you’ll never lose the language.
Good luck!
Larry Jones
37 articles
Larry has been teaching English as a Foreign Language since 2008. Having spent 30 years as a British policeman, he teaches English not as an academic but as a communicator. He has degrees in Psychology, IT, Accounting, and English. Larry has experience in teaching IELTS, CAE, CPE, and Business English (including Accounting, Logistics, and Architecture).
Larry has been teaching English as a Foreign Language since 2008. Having spent 30 years as a British policeman, he teaches English not as an academic but as a communicator. He has degrees in Psychology, IT, Accounting, and English. Larry has experience in teaching IELTS, CAE, CPE, and Business English (including Accounting, Logistics, and Architecture).
You're in good hands when it comes to pronunciation tips, my friend. Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of the article. First off, learning the sounds of English is foundational. The author rightly emphasizes that even seemingly similar sounds can have subtle differences, and mastering these nuances is crucial for accurate pronunciation.
Schwa, the unsung hero of unstressed vowels in American English, gets its spotlight. It's that subtle "uh" sound that pervades many phrases, making it a must-know for anyone serious about sounding like a native speaker.
Next up, the challenge of distinguishing between the sounds of 'L' and 'R.' The author makes it clear that in American English, both sounds are prevalent, and not getting them right can lead to pronunciation pitfalls.
Using a dictionary is an age-old yet effective trick. It's not embarrassing; it's smart. And with the internet at your fingertips, you can even find audio dictionaries to fine-tune your pronunciation.
Creating a list of tricky words is a proactive move. It's like building your personalized pronunciation challenge set. And for visual learners, video lessons can be a game-changer. The author recommends AccentOnSpeaking.com and YouTube channels as valuable resources.
Recording yourself is an indispensable tool. It's the mirror of the auditory world, helping you gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. Speaking in phrases and sentences is a logical next step—words don't exist in isolation in real conversations.
The author advises focusing on one sound in each practice session. It's a strategic, gradual approach, delving deep into the formation of sounds for better understanding.
Finally, the mantra is clear: practice, practice, practice! There are no shortcuts. Building muscle memory in your speech organs is the key to mastering American English pronunciation. Larry Jones, with his extensive teaching experience and diverse educational background, delivers these tips not just as an academic but as a seasoned communicator. Good luck on your pronunciation journey!
