Betting or bedding? The /t/ and /d/ sounds.
In this episode of English Sound Building, we practise the /t/ and /d/ sounds. This is another voiceless and voiced consonant pair, similar to /s/ and /z/ in episode one, or /θ/ and /ð/ in episode two. It’s not a pair which is likely to be essential in terms of understanding, but it is a pair which differs quite differently from accent to accent (including from English accent to English accents), so I hope you enjoy finding out more. In the first few minutes, I give some tips on making the so...
8 Feb 202123min
Work, work, work! The /ɜː/ sound.
Let's smash some language learning goals and flex those pronunciation muscles! In this episode of English Sound Building, we practise the /ɜ:/ sound. This is a long version of the schwa sound we studied last week and, as the difference between long and short sounds is one of the factors which can affect understanding in English, is one worth spending some time on. In the first few minutes, I give some tips on making the sound, and typical spelling patterns that occur with ...
1 Feb 202112min
Never forget! The 'schwa' sound in individual words
It's a new year! Let's smash some language learning goals and flex those pronunciation muscles! In this episode of English Sound Building, we learn more about the most common sound in English: schwa. This sound is important in distinguishing between stressed and unstressed syllables, and stressed and unstressed words (we'll talk about this more in a future episode). In the first few minutes, I give some tips on making the sound. If you're happy with that, feel free to skip str...
25 Jan 202114min
Man or men? /æ/ and /e/
It's a new year! Let's smash some language learning goals and flex those pronunciation muscles! In this episode of English Sound Building, we work on distinguishing between the /æ/ and /e/ sounds. The way in which these sounds is pronounced varies a lot between different varieties of English. Depending on your language background, you may also find it difficult to distinguish between them. Although mastering the distinction is absolutely not essential to be understood, it's fun ...
18 Jan 202116min
Teeth and teethe - the two 'th' sounds in English
It's a new year! Let's smash some language learning goals and flex those pronunciation muscles! In this episode of English Sound Building, we look at the voiceless and voiced "th" sounds. These sounds are not found in many other languages (indeed, they are not found in all Englishes!), and although they are absolutely not essential to be understood, it's fun to try :-) In the first few minutes, I give some tips on making the sounds. If you're happy with that, feel free t...
11 Jan 202120min
Peace or peas? /s/ and /z/
It's a new year! Let's meet some language learning goals and flex some pronunciation muscles! In this episode of English Sound Building, we work on distinguishing between the voiceless and voiced pair /s/ and /z/. We look at some common words containing both sounds, as well as some fun and challenging sentences. English Sound Building is about having fun with sound and celebrating the physical side of language learning. It is intended for advanced learners, but of course you are welco...
2 Jan 202115min
