Discussion Lesson

1. Do you find it difficult to pronounce words in English? 2. Do people sometimes say that you’re hard to understand?

figure out- to know, understand, or solve something stress- emphasis used when pronouncing a particular sound or part of a word accent- the way in which people from a country, area, etc. pronounce words record- to make a permanent copy of a sound, image, etc. slow motion- the act of showing a video at a slower speed than normal

The next time you're watching an English TV show or movie, pay attention to the actors' mouths. Play the video in slow motion. Then, try to copy the faces and sounds the actors are making. If you can't figure out how to pronounce something, ask your teacher or a native speaker where they put their tongue when they say it.

When you listen to someone speaking, you'll notice that their voice goes up or down with each word. This is called intonation and it can change depending on the speaker’s emotions or accent. Simple statements like, "I want to go to the store" usually have little or no intonation; while yes-or-no questions like, "Do you want to go to the store?" have a rising intonation. Other questions like, "Where do you want to go?" have a falling intonation. Each word also has its own stress. For example, the word "present" is pronounced differently depending on the meaning. If you say, "PRE-sent," the word is a noun meaning either "now" or "a gift." But if you say, "pre-SENT," it's a verb meaning, "to give or show."

Choose one or two sentences from a movie and practice saying them a lot of times. Then, use a camera to record yourself. Check to make sure your mouth and tongue are in the right place, and that you're placing stress on the right part of each word.

1. Which of the tips in this article did you find most interesting? Why? 2. Do you ever watch TV shows and movies in English? If so, do you have a favorite? If not, why not? 3. What English accent do you find most difficult to understand? Please explain your answer. 4. What words or sounds do you imagine people struggle to pronounce when learning your native language? 5. In your experience, what is the best way to practice pronunciation? Please explain your answer. 6. What do you enjoy most about learning English? Please explain your answer. 7. How long have you been taking online English lessons? Why did you decide to start?

If you don't know how to pronounce a word, say it loud! — William Strunk Jr.

You can improve your pronunciation by paying attention to the proper positioning of your mouth and tongue. Then, you can also practice your intonation and stress by listening carefully to great speakers. Lastly, record yourself and listen to it again to make sure you are pronouncing the words correctly.