Improve your pronunciation with one sound

Although there are 26 letters in the English alphabet, there are 44 sounds. Confusing? Maybe that is why English pronunciation can be a nightmare! There are many ways to improve your pronunciation but one way is to start with the most common sound in the English language - /ə/ , called schwa (the only sound to have a name).

The schwa sound can replace all the vowel sounds, is always weak and can really help your pronunciation have intonation which is so important in English.

Schwa is so important that there is a page dedicated to it's basic sound on the BBC and here is a great introduction to schwa also on the BBC. This webpage has a great guide to using and pronouncing schwa - listen and repeat out loud. You may feel a bit silly but it is GREAT practice.

Now you know about schwa, listen for it when you listen to English - you will hear it everywhere and try to use it as much as you can. Your pronunciation really will improve.

Comments

Have you read anything good recently?

Reading is like a superpower 🌟. It can take you to other places and times and into the heads of other people. Reading is also one of the best things you can do to improve your English. And it doesn't have to be a whole book! Maybe you think reading is boring but it could be because you are not reading anything interesting!!! Reading can help your English in many ways such as: you see words and grammar structures and how they are used you can see the correct word order you learn new vocabulary you can train your mind to concentrate you can learn something new about the world or life which may help you in other ways All reading is good but with just a few techniques you can make your reading a lot more effective. All of these techniques involve becoming more active while you are reading. Choose a text that you think will not be too difficult ( where only about 10 -20% of vocabulary is new) so that you can read comfortably. It is good to read at your level but it i...

Back to school - tips for success in the language learning classroom

Summer's over and it is time to start classes again. September - October is the alternative January! I don't think I need to say why but this year, things will be a little different; wearing a mask, remembering to keep socially distant from your classmates and teacher or maybe your classes are online. However, some things remain the same. Whether you are learning in a real or virtual classroom, the main thing is starting well to have a good and successful year learning English. How are you preparing for the year ahead? Here are 7 tips to get off to a good start: 1. Be organised. Keep a notebook. Record all your new vocabulary and try to review it and use it so that you are actively using new language. Watch this video to find out about vocabulary notebooks. 2. Use a dictionary when you don't know a word then write it in your notebook. Dictionaries such as Oxford learners dictionary or Cambridge learners dictionary are designed to help students who are learning Engl...

Interactive videos for self study

Here is something that I have never seen before, videos that you can watch, read vocabulary definitions and answer questions to check your understanding as you go. Very futuristic! The English Channel is a selection of interactive, short videos for intermediate and advanced learners of English. Although they are great for everyone, they are particularly useful if you are preparing for an exam. Go on, give it ago. Who knows what you will learn today!

Cat's classroom

Search This Blog