Think Like a Native

Details: Written by Anton; Category: Learning Tips; Published: 04 November 2019; Hits: 11519

Are you struggling with your English pronunciation? My courses use timed repetition, efficient learning techniques and visual aids to help you develop a natural British English accent.

Here are some simple steps you can take to improve your pronunciation.

Step 1: Start with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to distinguish and identify the different phonemes in the English language. The English alphabet is not a phonetic script, so the IPA is an accurate guide for pronunciation. Learn about the 20 vowel sounds that exist and how to divide them into monophthongs, diphthongs, and long vowel sounds.

Step 2: Tune your ears to identify the subtle differences in English sounds. Comparing similar but different sounds within various situations helps your brain establish and reinforce neural pathways for improved recognition. For instance, practice differentiating between the short vowel /ʌ/ and the schwa sound /ə/.

Step 3: Reinforce your knowledge in the real world by listening to natural spoken English, observing native English speakers' facial movements and breathing, and comparing and adapting your own pronunciation.

Step 4: Immerse yourself in the natural sounds of British English by listening to audiobooks narrated by native speakers. Audible offers a vast library of audiobooks, including books narrated by Stephen Fry for those who wish to tune their ears to the natural sounds of Received Pronunciation.

By following these four steps, you can improve your English pronunciation and develop a more native-like accent.