Accurate
pronunciation is an important part of learning any language. The way your
speech sounds can have a big impact on whether or not people understand what
you are saying and their initial impression of you. The tricky thing about
pronunciation is that it not just a question of acquiring knowledge, it is a
physical skill that you need to practice regularly.
There are no
shortcuts to perfect pronunciation; however, there are some ways you can
practice more effectively and improve your skills faster. Follow our ten top
tips, start improving your pronunciation today and take a step closer towards
your goal a perfect pronunciation.
1 . Listen
to yourself
2 . Slow
down!
3 . Picture
it…
4 . Get
physical!
5 . Watch
yourself
6 . Copy
the experts
7 . Practice
alone
8 . Find
a language buddy
9 . Pay
attention to intonation and stress
10. Sing a song!
1.
Listen to yourself
It’s often
difficult to hear pronunciation errors in your own speech because you are
concentrating actually communicating rather than the sound you are making. If
you can’t hear your pronunciation problems, it’s tough to correct them. Try
recording your speech with your smartphone or PC and making a note of specific
areas you need to improve on.
2.
Slow down!
Many learners
think that speaking fluently means they need to speak fast. This is wrong.
Speaking too fast reinforces bad habits and makes the speaker sound nervous and
indecisive. Speaking slowly will give you time to breathe properly and think
about what you want to say next. Because it gives you time to think while you
are speaking, you’ll feel more relaxed and be able to concentrate on making
your sound fantastic.
3.
Picture it…
Close your eyes
and think about how to make a sound before saying it. Visualize the positioning
of your mouth and face. If you have studied with the phonemic chart, think
about the sound you are making and how it relates to other phonemes. If you
have used diagrams of the mouth and tongue, think about the shape you need to
make inside your mouth if you want to make the sound correctly.
4.
Get physical!
Pronunciation
is a physical skill. You’re teaching your mouth a new way to move and using
different muscles. Focus on difficult sounds each day. Having trouble with
‘th’? Put your tongue between your teeth (don’t bite down) and blow air out of
your mouth. Feel the air move over the top of your tongue.
5.
Watch yourself
Stand in front
of a mirror to see the placement of your tongue, lips, and shape of your mouth
when you make certain sounds. Compare what you see with a video of a
native-speaker saying the same thing.
6.
Copy the experts
There’s no
replacement for learning pronunciation from the experts – native-speakers. So
listen! Listen to radio programs and watch television and movies. Imitate what
you’re hearing – even if you’re not sure what they’re saying yet.
7.
Practice alone
Pronunciation
problems persist because we’re afraid to make mistakes. Create scenarios –
meeting someone for the first time, ordering at a restaurant, asking for
directions – then act out the dialogue by yourself. Don’t be shy.
8.
Find a language buddy
Getting
feedback from an outside observer is crucial. Find a friend who’s also
interested in improving. Try exchanging recorded messages so you can listen
closely to each other’s pronunciation.
9. Pay attention to intonation and stress
Good
pronunciation is more than just mastering individual sounds. It’s also
understanding intonation (the rise and fall of the voice) and stress (some
sounds in words and some words in sentences are louder or clearer than others).
Read poems, speeches and songs aloud, concentrating on the word stress and
intonation.
10.
Sing a song!
Learn the words
to popular songs and sing along. Singing helps you relax and just get those
words out, as well as helping your rhythm and intonation. Because you don’t
need to concentrate on constructing sentences for yourself, you can concentrate
on making your pronunciation sound great!
Give each of
these tips a try next time you have a chance and find out which of them works
best for you. Remember, none of them is an instant fix but they will all help
you reach your goals as part of regular practice.
