Getting Started
The fundamental building blocks of language extend beyond just the sounds; they also encompass melody and rhythm, which significantly shape a language's character Additionally, the concept of placement plays a crucial role in understanding language structure, raising questions about its definition and importance.
Focusing on one aspect of learning English while neglecting the others will not lead to achieving the goal of speaking like an American Each of the three key areas influences the others, making it essential to address them collectively for effective language mastery.
This book offers a comprehensive overview of three key areas, emphasizing that progress in one area can lead to enhancements in the others As you develop skills in a specific domain, you will likely notice concurrent improvements in the remaining two areas.
Let’s start with something a little unconventional…let’s not start with English To begin, we’re just going to imitate vocal sounds There are two reasons for this:
1 to practice and improve imitation skills A student with strong imitation skills will end up sounding much more like an American than a student with poor skills.
To enhance spoken English skills, it's essential for learners to practice and become comfortable with producing new sounds Even proficient imitators can reach a plateau if they hesitate to explore sound placements that may feel unusual compared to their native language Embracing these unfamiliar sounds is crucial for advancing fluency.
What kind of student do you want to be? Decide now, it’s important:
! I will be a student who spends a lot of time and energy practicing only with sounds and feelings that I am already comfortable with, that I already know from my native language.
As a dedicated student, I invest considerable time and effort into experimenting with diverse sounds and sensations I embrace the challenge of exploring unfamiliar techniques, eager to expand my creative boundaries.
Learning English as a foreign language can be challenging, especially for adults who may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when encountering new sounds and language concepts If English feels too similar to your native language, it may hinder your ability to sound authentically American The biggest obstacle to achieving an American accent is not the ability to reproduce sounds, but rather the resistance to embracing and practicing new sounds and concepts, such as reductions.
This exercise involves practicing vocal imitation through random sounds and nonsense words You will hear each sound only once, followed by a pause for you to repeat it Aim to mimic the sounds as closely as possible and feel free to experiment without hesitation Embrace the process, even if it feels silly, and consider closing your eyes to concentrate fully on the auditory experience.
It’s not English, so you don’t need to worry about how you sound! engl.io/ab1
What is engl.io.ab1? Type it into your web browser to listen to the audio online, or listen to the file you downloaded with this book
Among the three key topics of sounds, melody and rhythm, and placement, placement is the most abstract and challenging to teach, yet it plays a crucial role in music Placement influences the overall timbre, or quality, of a sound, which is essential for creating distinct musical expressions For instance, while both a violin and a flute can perform the same melody with identical pitches and rhythms, their unique timbres highlight the importance of sound placement in music.
While flutes and violins may produce notes that can be confused, their distinct timbres make them easily recognizable even without visual cues The unique quality of sound from each instrument defines its identity far more than the pitches or rhythms it plays, highlighting the significance of timbre in music.
The voice is produced by the vocal cords, which vibrate involuntarily as air flows from the lungs, while the surrounding body structures shape the sound, contributing to its unique timbre.
Video 1.1 — Path of the Voice
Learn about how the voice works, placement, and how tension lifts placement engl.io/ab7
Teaching has revealed the impact of tension on speech placement American English is characterized by a relaxed throat and neck, enabling a low voice placement that originates from the chest or base of the neck However, most of my students initially lack this low American placement, as many other languages typically position the voice higher in the face or further back in the throat.
Learn more about what placement is and how to find different placements in your body engl.io/abf
Experiment with vocal placement by identifying the part of your body where you feel resonance and producing a vowel sound from that area First, listen to the differences in sound, then imitate it while touching that specific body part, like placing your hand flat on your chest or fingers on your nose Notice if you can feel your voice resonate in various parts of your body If you can, that's excellent! Aim to keep your voice relaxed and low, allowing resonance to originate from your chest, as this will create a distinctly American sound.
To achieve a low resonance in your voice, it's essential to focus on relaxation rather than merely lowering the pitch Tension in your throat and neck can hinder the natural quality of your speech Instead, work on relaxing and opening your neck and throat, allowing your voice to resonate deeper without forcing it down This approach will help you develop a more authentic American speech pattern.
Audio 1.2 — Placement engl.io/abt
If you're struggling to imitate the various audio placements, don't worry—it's a skill that takes time to develop While it's important to practice mimicking the sounds, exploring additional resources and tools can greatly enhance your learning experience.
Tension is the primary barrier to achieving American English placement Unlike many languages that require additional body engagement, American English relies on less physical involvement This phenomenon can be referred to as "extra engagement" or "extra work."
Introduction to Stress, Rhythm, and Intonation
Introduction to Stress, Rhythm, and Intonation
Many students are eager to dive straight into sounds, but it's crucial to prioritize placement and stress first This book is structured intentionally to emphasize that character is more important than sounds Character is defined by placement, rhythm, and melody By focusing on these foundational elements before addressing sounds, you enhance your chances of successfully transforming your spoken English.
In English, syllables vary in length, with a crucial distinction between long (stressed) and short (unstressed) syllables Mastering this difference is essential for sounding authentically American, as uniform syllable length can hinder proper pronunciation This topic will be explored in depth throughout this book.
Video 2.1 — English: A Stress-Timed Language
This video goes over the difference between a language where every syllable is the same length and a language like
English where syllables are different lengths engl.io/ac2
When learning new vocabulary, it's essential to focus on word stress Create lists of words that share the same stress pattern, such as two-syllable words with stress on the first syllable or three-syllable words with stress on the middle syllable Regularly practice these grouped words to enhance your pronunciation and overall language skills.
In most dictionaries, the symbol ˈ indicates a syllable with primary stress, while ˌ designates a syllable with secondary stress All other syllables are considered unstressed, and it's important to note that syllables with secondary stress resemble unstressed syllables more than they do stressed ones.
In addition to the stress symbols [ˈ] and [ˌ], some dictionaries use a third symbol, [ã], to indicate unstressed syllables that are not at the beginning of a word, as seen in the example [ˈbjuãdɪãfəәl] However, other dictionaries may opt for a space to denote this, which is the format used in this book: [ˈbju dɪ fəәl].
When discussing word stress, it's essential to consider not only long and short syllables but also rhythm, intonation, and other vocal elements, as they are interconnected Intonation refers to the rise and fall of voice pitch in speech, an important aspect that will be explored in greater detail in subsequent chapters.
Stressed Unstressed symbol [ˈ] [ˌ] or no marking length longer Shorter intonation (or ‘pitch’ or
Curve up, then down Flatter pitch, generally lower than stressed syllables energy Full engagement of voice, can be a little louder
Less energy/air in the voice (can sound crackly at the end of a sentence)
In the text of this book ⃕ ã
On-screen text in videos DA Da
In my videos, I utilize the syllable 'da' to illustrate stress patterns in speech The syllable 'DA' represents primary stress, 'Da' indicates secondary stress, and 'da' denotes an unstressed syllable.
Stressed syllables exhibit a distinct intonation pattern, characterized by a slight upward curve followed by a downward inflection in the voice This unique shape, particularly the downward curve, is essential in defining stressed syllables and contributes to their distinctly American sound.
Video 2.2 — Introduction to Word Stress
Study Stressed vs Unstressed syllables as a general concept Here, I use Praat software You can get your own free copy here: www.praat.org engl.io/acb
Video 2.3 — The Shape of a Stressed Syllable
If you’re confused about the intonation of a stressed syllable, the curve up then down in the voice, watch this video engl.io/ac4
Unstressed syllables typically have a lower pitch and are pronounced quickly, which can diminish the perceived energy of the voice As a result, the sounds within these unstressed syllables may become less distinct and harder to understand.
Watch this video on the word ‘download’ In it, I compare the syllable ‘-load’ in
The word 'download' features an unstressed first syllable, while the verb 'load' carries the stress Notice the variations in length, volume, and intonation; despite having similar sounds, they are distinctly different.
Video 2.4 — How to Pronounce DOWNLOAD
Compare ‘load’ as an unstressed and stressed syllable engl.io/acf
Unstressed syllables are typically so brief that there is insufficient time for pitch variation, unlike stressed syllables which feature a noticeable rise and fall in tone However, when multiple unstressed syllables occur consecutively, the pitch may either ascend toward a stressed syllable or descend after one For instance, in the phrase "It's amazing," the syllable pattern is da-da-DA-da, highlighting the stressed third syllable within the four-syllable structure.
Rather than thinking of the intonation, or shape of the line, like this:
Think of it like this, smoothly moving up towards the stressed syllable, then down:
Let’s use a simple context to study stressed vs unstressed syllables: two-syllable words
Video 2.5 — Weddings and 2-Syllable Words
Study 2-syllable words by having them broken down for you engl.io/ac3
Video 2.6 — Wedding Venue: 2-Syllable Words
Study 2-syllable words by identifying yourself which syllable is stressed engl.io/ace
Video 2.7 — Listening Comprehension: 2-Syllable Words
You’ll hear a 2-syllable word Which stress does it have,
DA-da or da-DA? engl.io/ac5
Test Yourself: Audio 2.1 — Which Syllable is Stressed?
Listen to ten two-syllable words and note whether the stress is on the first or second syllable Determine if the rhythm sounds like DA-da or da-DA Check the Answers Appendix for the correct responses.
Audio 2.1 — Which Syllable is Stressed?
Test your listening comprehension for stress engl.io/acg
It's time for you to practice combining intonation, melody, and rhythm in your speech Focus on achieving comfort with these elements before introducing words Aim for smoothness in your delivery and experiment with the speed of your short, unstressed syllables.
Listen + Repeat: Audio 2.2 — Rhythmic Patterns
Begin by listening to a rhythmic pattern focused on the vowel sound 'uh', and aim to replicate it with a relaxed vocal placement Ensure your neck and throat are relaxed to achieve a low resonance Next, you'll hear the same pattern articulated with the syllable 'da' Assess whether imitating the stress patterns feels comfortable and if your voice flows effortlessly without any obstruction If you encounter difficulty, continue practicing the imitation while maintaining a low placement and a smooth, forward vocal flow If the 'D' consonant poses a challenge, consider alternative approaches.
Audio 2.2 — Rhythmic Patterns da-DA-da-DA-da da-DA-da da-DA da-da-DA
DA-DA da da-DA-da-da-DA da-DA-da da-DA, DA-da
DA-da-da da-DA-da-DA da-da-DA da-DA-DA da-DA-DA-da-da da-DA-da-DA-da
DA-da-DA engl.io/ac6
In American English, it's essential to separate each syllable while ensuring they flow seamlessly into one another The forward flow and sound linking are crucial, requiring a light, quick flap of the tongue for the letter 'D' to maintain this continuity Visualize the Path of the Voice video from the previous section, focusing on a constant stream of air that should not be interrupted This technique serves as excellent practice for linking words, which will be explored further in Chapter 8.
2 Making syllables the same length Chances are, you need to make your unstressed syllables even shorter Try it: how fast can you make it? da, da, da
Test Yourself: Audio 2.3 — Identify the Rhythmic Pattern
Vowels
At this stage, we can integrate placement, rhythm, and vowel sounds effectively While many prefer to begin with vowels, we have established a crucial foundation that should be built upon as you progress through this section.
Vowels determine the length and shape of longer, stressed syllables, rather than consonants For instance, to extend the word "mom," it should be pronounced as "moooooom," instead of "mmmmmmommmmm."
American English exhibits variations in the pronunciation of vowels and diphthongs across different resources Since pronunciation is not an exact science, it often leads to differing opinions among speakers.
This book offers a unique approach to learning vowel sounds by focusing on both stressed and unstressed forms Through accompanying audio files, you will quickly grasp the differences in sound and how they are produced Sample words will illustrate vowels in both contexts, emphasizing that unstressed vowels should be shorter, flatter in pitch, and produced with less air and energy There are a total of eleven vowels in American English to master.
Before exploring the details of each vowel, it's essential to listen to all the vowel sounds together The sequence will be played twice, featuring stressed sounds, except for the schwa [əә], which is exclusively unstressed Pay attention to how distinct the schwa sounds compared to the other vowels.
Audio 3.1 — Vowels ʌ, ɑ, ɔ, ổ, ɛ, i, ɪ, u, ʊ, əә, ɜ engl.io/ad1
[ʌ] – The UH as i ʌ n BUTTER Vowel
Let’s start with the core vowel of American English, the ‘thinking’ vowel (“Uhh…”,
“Um…”) The UH as in BUTTER vowel
The sound produced requires the jaw to drop slightly while the tongue remains relaxed and in a forward position, without any movement To achieve the correct sound, it's essential that the cheeks, lips, and throat are completely relaxed, resulting in a low resonance at the base of the neck and upper chest Like all vowels, the soft palate must be lifted to block airflow from the nasal cavity Some students struggle to fully relax, causing the vowel to resemble the AH sound as in "FATHER" [ɑ] We will compare these two sounds after mastering the AH vowel.
Video 3.1 — The UH as in BUTTER [ʌ] Vowel
See illustrations of the tongue position for this sound, as well as up-close, slow motion speech to study the mouth position engl.io/ad4
Listen + Repeat: Audio 3.2 — The UH as in BUTTER [ʌ] Vowel
Observe the image and mimic the sounds and words while maintaining complete relaxation Simply drop your jaw—there’s no need for any other movement! Notice the difference in sound between the stressed and unstressed vowel; they are distinct The audio provided is structured in the accompanying chart.
In analyzing the pronunciation of the sound [ʌ], we observe its occurrence in both stressed and unstressed syllables Examples of stressed syllables include "uh" [ʌ], "other" [ˈʌð əәɹ], "much" [mʌtʃ], and "love" [lʌv] In contrast, the sound appears in unstressed syllables in words like "untie" [ʌnˈtaɪ] and "shotgun" [ˈʃɑt￨ˌgʌn] Notably, "uh" can be both stressed and unstressed, highlighting its versatility in speech patterns.
Audio 3.2 — The UH as in BUTTER [ʌ] Vowel engl.io/ad8
Understanding the difference in sound between stressed and unstressed syllables is crucial Stressed syllables feature longer, louder vowels and diphthongs with a distinct up/down intonation, utilizing the full voice In contrast, unstressed syllables are characterized by shorter, quieter sounds that lack the same pitch variation and use less air For further clarification, revisit Chapter Two.
You’ll see this sound spelled several ways in American English oe: does [dʌz] o: love [lʌv] oo: blood [blʌd] ou: trouble [ˈtɹʌb əәl] u: up [ʌp]
[ɑ] – The AH as in FATHER Vowel
The sound produced involves a dropping jaw and a tongue that presses down at the back while the tip remains forward, creating tension that slightly elevates the placement Although still connected to the chest, the resonance shifts to the open space of the mouth, with relaxed lips As with all vowels, the soft palate is lifted to block the nasal cavity, ensuring no air escapes.
Video 3.2 — The AH as in FATHER [ɑ] Vowel
See illustrations of the tongue position for this sound, as well as up-close, slow motion speech to study the mouth position engl.io/ada
Listen + Repeat: Audio 3.3 — The AH as in FATHER [ɑ] Vowel
Observe the image and mimic the sounds and words while ensuring your lips remain completely relaxed Notice your jaw dropping and your tongue pressing down at the back of your mouth The audio file you are listening to is structured according to this chart.
What you hear (each 2 times) Is [ɑ] in a Stressed or Unstressed syllable? ah [ɑ] Stressed father [ˈfɑð əәɹ] Stressed body [ˈbɑd i] Stressed lock [lɑk] Stressed job [dʒɑb] Stressed ah [ɑ], ah [ɑ] Stressed, Unstressed
October [ɑkˈtoʊ bəәɹ] Unstressed
Audio 3.3 — The AH as in FATHER [ɑ] Vowel engl.io/adc
Some students can’t tell the difference between this sound and the sound we just learned, the UH as in BUTTER [ʌ] vowel
To distinguish between the AH [ɑ] and UH [ʌ] sounds, it's important to adjust your tongue position If these vowels sound identical to you, you may be pronouncing both as [ɑ] To achieve a clearer [ʌ], try moving your tongue slightly forward and relax it fully Additionally, note that your jaw should drop a bit less when articulating [ʌ].
Compare the mouth position of these two sounds engl.io/adf
Listen + Repeat: Audio 3.4 — AH [ɑ] vs UH [ʌ]
Struggling to distinguish between minimal pairs? Don't worry! Simply listen to the audio file 10-20 times daily without the pressure to repeat In just a few days, you’ll likely begin to notice the differences The audio is structured according to a helpful chart for your reference.
In English pronunciation, certain vowel sounds can be either stressed or unstressed, impacting the meaning of words For instance, the sounds ah [ɑ] and uh [ʌ] are both stressed in pairs like shot [ʃɑt] versus shut [ʃʌt], and gone [gɑn] versus gun [gʌn] Similarly, the stress is placed on boss [bɑs] compared to bus [bʌs], and crossed [kɹɑst] versus crust [kɹʌst] Understanding these distinctions is crucial for clear communication and effective language learning.
*These words can be pronounced with either [ɑ] or [ɔ] — look for more information on this in the next section, the AW as in LAW [ɔ] Vowel.
Audio 3.4 — AH [ɑ] vs UH [ʌ] engl.io/adh
Test Yourself: Audio 3.5 — AH [ɑ] vs UH [ʌ] Test
In this exercise, you will listen to five distinct words or sounds presented in minimal pairs Each word will be played twice, and your task is to identify which word you are hearing For the correct answers, please refer to the Answers Appendix.
Audio 3.5 — AH [ɑ] vs UH [ʌ] Test
5 robber [ɑ] or rubber [ʌ] engl.io/adk
Diphthongs
A diphthong consists of two vowel sounds combined, and while some of these sounds, such as [ɪ] and [ʊ], are also found in American English as standalone vowels, their pronunciation in diphthongs differs from that of pure vowels.
The position of the mouth is crucial in defining diphthongs, as they consist of two distinct sounds that require movement from a starting to an ending position For example, the vowel sound in "BOO" [u] is not entirely pure; it involves a transition into and out of a specific mouth position.
Before exploring the details of each diphthong, it’s beneficial to first listen to all the diphthong sounds presented together This audio file plays the sequence twice, with each sound emphasized for clarity.
Audio 4.1 — Diphthongs oʊ, aʊ, aɪ, eɪ, ɔɪ, ju engl.io/aha
[oʊ] – The OH as in NO Diphthong
To articulate the diphthong correctly, begin by dropping the jaw significantly, while rounding the lips, which should become more pronounced in the ending position Initially, the lips may round slightly, but the key is to enhance this rounding as you transition to the end The tongue starts in a slightly retracted position, lifting more at the back during the ending phase, more so than in the pure [ʊ] vowel sound found in "push." Emphasize the jaw's movement: drop it lower at the start and allow it to relax upward as the lips round for the concluding sound.
Video 4.1 — The OH as in NO [oʊ] Diphthong
See illustrations of the beginning and ending positions for this sound, as well as up-close, slow motion speech engl.io/ahd
Listen + Repeat: Audio 4.2 — The OH as in NO [oʊ] Diphthong
Does your jaw change from more dropped to less? Do your lips round for the ending position? What you hear on the file is organized in this chart:
The vowel sound [oʊ] can appear in both stressed and unstressed syllables For instance, words like "oh," "go," and "know" feature the [oʊ] sound in stressed syllables, while "below" also carries this sound in a stressed position In contrast, the words "borrow" and "yellow" demonstrate the [oʊ] sound in unstressed syllables Notably, the word "oh" can be both stressed and unstressed, highlighting the versatility of this vowel sound in English pronunciation.
Audio 4.2 — The OH as in NO [oʊ] Diphthong engl.io/ahf
When students don’t round their lips enough, this diphthong can sound like the
To master the diphthong represented by AW as in LAW [ɔ] or AH as in FATHER [ɑ], focus on the audio file provided Take your time to practice rounding your lips, and consider slowing down the playback for clarity The key to achieving this sound lies in the movement of your lips; exaggerating this rounding will help you articulate the diphthong more effectively.
Listen + Repeat: Audio 4.3 — OH [oʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ]
If you struggle to hear the difference, don’t worry—just listen multiple times each day over several days Focus on practicing the two distinct mouth positions: keeping your mouth unmoving for vowels and moving it for diphthongs The audio files are structured according to the chart provided.
In phonetics, the distinction between stressed and unstressed sounds is crucial For instance, the vowel sounds in words like "aw" [ɔ] and "oh" [oʊ] are stressed Similarly, the words "nod" [nɑd] and "node" [noʊd], as well as "ball" [bɔl] and "bowl" [boʊl], also exhibit stress The same pattern is observed with "called" [kɔld] and "cold" [koʊld], as well as "mop" [mɑp] and "mope" [moʊp], all of which are pronounced with stress Understanding these distinctions enhances clarity in pronunciation and communication.
Audio 4.3 — OH [oʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ] engl.io/ahg
Test Yourself: Audio 4.4 — OH [oʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ] Test
In this exercise, you will listen to five distinct words or sounds presented in minimal pairs Each word will be played twice, and your task is to identify which word you hear For the correct answers, please refer to the Answers Appendix.
Audio 4.4 — OH [oʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ] Test
5 toast [oʊ] or tossed [ɔ] engl.io/ahj
In American English, the sound represented by "o" can be spelled in various ways, including "go" [goʊ], "brooch" [bɹoʊʧ], "soul" [soʊl], "row" [ɹoʊ], "oat" [oʊt], "foe" [foʊ], "though" [ðoʊ], "chauffeur" [ˈʃoʊ fəәɹ], and "beau" [boʊ].
[aʊ] – The OW as in NOW Diphthong
The beginning position of this diphthong, [a], is not a vowel in American English
The sound is akin to the AA in BAT [ổ] vowel, but differs from the OH in NO diphthong, as the lips remain unrounded at the start Visualize the mouth forming a rectangle instead of a circle; drop your jaw while keeping the tongue wide and flat Similar to the OH sound, transition by rounding the lips, relaxing the jaw upward, and elevating the back of the tongue.
Video 4.2 — The OW as in NOW [aʊ] Diphthong
See illustrations of the beginning and ending positions for this sound, as well as up-close, slow motion speech engl.io/ahm
Listen + Repeat: Audio 4.5 — The OW as in NOW [aʊ] Diphthong
Does your jaw drop for the beginning position? Do your lips round into the ending position? What you hear on the file is organized in this chart:
In the study of phonetics, the sound [aʊ] can appear in both stressed and unstressed syllables Examples of [aʊ] in stressed syllables include words like "ow" [aʊ], "now" [naʊ], "sound" [saʊnd], and "power" [ˈpaʊ əәɹ] Conversely, the sound [aʊ] is found in unstressed syllables in words such as "letdown" [ˈlɛt￨ daʊn] and "blackout" [ˈblổk aʊt] Understanding the placement of [aʊ] in syllables is essential for mastering pronunciation.
Audio 4.5 — The OW as in NOW [aʊ] Diphthong engl.io/ahp
The OW [aʊ] diphthong requires lip rounding to produce the correct sound, distinguishing it from similar sounds like AW as in LAW [ɔ] or AH as in FATHER [ɑ], which may occur if lips are not rounded Proper lip movement is essential for accurately articulating the OW diphthong.
Listen + Repeat: Audio 4.6 — OW [aʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ]
Work with these minimal pairs and take your time rounding your lips Exaggerate it a little bit
In phonetics, the distinction between stressed and unstressed sounds is crucial For instance, the vowel sound [aʊ] in "how," "down," and "pound" is stressed, while the vowel sound [ɔ] in "dawn," "pond," and "moss" is also stressed This pattern continues with words like "mouse" and "spout," which feature the stressed [aʊ] sound, while "spot" maintains the stressed [ɑ] sound Understanding these nuances enhances pronunciation and listening skills.
Audio 4.6 — OW [aʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ] engl.io/ahr
Test Yourself: Audio 4.7 — OW [aʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ] Test
In this exercise, you will listen to five minimal pairs, each containing distinct words or sounds You will hear one of these words twice, and your task is to identify which word it is For the correct answers, please refer to the Answers Appendix.
Audio 4.7 — OW [aʊ] vs AW [ɔ] or AH [ɑ] Test
5 brown [aʊ] or brawn [ɔ] engl.io/ahu
You’ll see this sound spelled several ways in American English ou: round [ɹaʊnd] ow: cow [kaʊ] ough: bough [baʊ]
[aɪ] – The AI as in BUY Diphthong