Want to improve your English pronunciation? Learning to pronounce English words correctly can enable you to start speaking naturally, which can help other people understand you easily. You probably know how frustrating it can get if you have to repeat yourself multiple times because the other person can’t understand you.
Almost every English language learner will tell you that pronunciation is the hardest part of learning English. Here are a few things you can do to improve your English pronunciation and speak more naturally like a native.
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Listen Carefully
Listening more carefully is undoubtedly one of the best tips for improving pronunciation. There are different ways to do this; you can listen to podcasts, and audiobooks, watch a film or talk with native English speakers. By actively listening, you will be able to learn how to pronounce most sounds and words in English correctly.
If you’re watching a film, remember to turn off subtitles and just listen while focusing on the sound rather than the meaning. Keep in mind that how people pronounce English words keeps on evolving.
It’s advisable that you pay attention to sound patterns and notice the difference between natural and incorrect pronunciation. You want to stick to natural pronunciation to avoid confusion because, as mentioned earlier, pronunciation keeps on changing.
You can also try shadowing. Shadowing means listening to a phrase or short sentence and then repeating it. You can practice that several times, imitating the intonation, sounds, and word stress.
Note how your tongue and mouth move when you speak. You can also record yourself speaking and then listen back while observing the sounds you have issues with. Repeat this until you notice an improvement.
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Choose an Accent
There are several English accents, which vary according to social standing and geographical region. It’s advisable that you pick one and stick with it to avoid confusion. For example, if you plan to move to Australia, get familiar with the Australian accent and if you’re moving to America, familiarise yourself with the American accent.
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Mouth Training
Mouth training is another brilliant way to improve your pronunciation. This involves training the muscles in your mouth to adapt to different sounds. Every part of the mouth, including the tongue, lips, throat, and jaw, are involved in making new sounds.
The key here is to move your mouth differently than it’s used to. You can practice pronouncing the words in front of a mirror and notice how your mouth moves. It’s also prudent to get a coach who can help you practise and correct you.
After all, practice makes perfect. Practising for five minutes three times a day is enough to improve your pronunciation, as opposed to training for three hours straight on a single day.
Improve Your Pronunciation with Pronunciation School?
If you plan on moving to English-speaking countries, it’s better to start working on your pronunciation as soon as now. Apply for an accent reduction program at Pronunciation School to embark on a journey of refining your pronunciation so that you become a better English speaker.