How to improve English pronunciation skills

Do you have difficulty with your pronunciation in English? Do people find it difficult to understand you and therefore you avoid speaking English?

Sometimes people with poor pronunciation can be judged as lacking in knowledge, incompetent, or even uneducated, when in fact they are not. For these people, it can be very frustrating to experience social isolation or difficulty getting a job, because of the way they talk.

Good English pronunciation can be a difficult skill to acquire, but with focused practice you can learn to pronounce English clearly.

Tips to help you practice English pronunciation

• Listen to other native English speakers, try to repeat the speech you hear. Pay attention to the way English speakers pronounce words, listen to the tone and rhythm of the English language.
• Slow down your speech. If you speak too fast, it can be more difficult for native English speakers to understand you.
• Practice speaking English with native English speakers and record yourself speaking. This will help you to be more aware of the common mistakes you are making.
• Practice reading aloud in English every day.
• Be careful when pronouncing word endings. Often some speakers of other languages ​​may omit them.

Why is it difficult to improve my English pronunciation? I am too old?

Although adults may not learn as easily as children seem to, they can certainly improve their pronunciation. As an adult, you have a good understanding of the sound system of your first language, so with specific instruction it is possible to broaden your knowledge to help you understand the differences of particular sounds in English.

An adult learner’s first language is a factor that strongly influences their ability to pronounce English. It is therefore important to identify this influence and follow an instructional program that addresses the pronunciation needs of each individual.

Difficulties experienced by students trying to learn English pronunciation on their own can often occur because they may not be able to hear the differences between their first language and English. Hearing spoken English and being able to hear the different features of the language is an important part of learning to pronounce English more clearly.

Improving your English pronunciation takes time. It takes a lot of practice to make changes, particularly in spontaneous speech. It is important that any instructional program include extensive homework activities that focus on particular problems, providing opportunities for the student to practice and improve their pronunciation over time.

English pronunciation training can provide adult learners with specific instruction that focuses on their particular areas of pronunciation problems. With continued practice and support, students can work to make significant improvements in their ability to speak English more clearly.

To achieve your goal of speaking English clearly, it can be very helpful to start an individually designed English pronunciation skills training program.