I give these to many individual students as well as to different classes at different times. So, instead of including them in individual class articles, I have grouped them to-gether. If you are really anxious to improve your pronunciation you should try to practise these regularly.
1. The difference between the "l" sound and the "r" sound. English doesn't say R the same rolling way the French do. It is made with the top of our tongue just below (not touching) the middle of the roof of our mouth. The sides or the tongue touch the back top teeth.
L is made by placing the tip of the tongue right at the front of our mouth, just above our front teeth. So saying this is just a matter of sliding our tongue quickly back and forward from middle to front position and back again:
Red lorry, yellow lorry.
2. The difficult 'th' sound is best practised at first with a mirror so you can actually see the tip of your tongue IN FRONT of your top teeth. With tongue in this position 'th' is said - not by using our vocal chords, but simply by blowing air.
Cathy thinks thugs are thick
3. Another one which uses the 'th' sound. Although it is only used twice it is difficult because we are using 's' and 'sh' sounds as well. This one ensures we pronounce all three as separate sounds, rather than using 's' for 'th'.
The sick sixth sheik's sixth sheep is sick.
4. The purpose of this one is to correctly form rounded and clear vowel sounds. It uses the 'r' sound as the initial consonant so is particularly helpful for Asian students. Both the words rugged and ragged are two syllable words which is unusual in English with words that end in 'ed'
Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.
5. Here's another which ensures you are saying vowels correctly. The main difficulty with this one comes when you are reading it because it includes one of those horrid English words which is pronounced differently to the way it is written! It is also a very good one for those who doubt that English is a stressed language. If you are using correct English stress or rhythm, it won't be so difficult. But, it is important in this one to sound the final consonants 'n' and 'm' clearly as well.
Swan swam over the pond,
Swim swan swim.
Swan swam back again,
Well swum, swan.
6. The most famous of all English tongue twisters: Peter Piper. The purpose of this is to ensure you are pronouncing ALL your words clearly. Also, if you are using correct English rhythm or stress it is much easier to say.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
7. Most of you find this the easiest. Its purpose is to ensure clarity between the single 's' and the 'sh' sound.
She sells sea-shells by the sea-shore.
1. The difference between the "l" sound and the "r" sound. English doesn't say R the same rolling way the French do. It is made with the top of our tongue just below (not touching) the middle of the roof of our mouth. The sides or the tongue touch the back top teeth.
L is made by placing the tip of the tongue right at the front of our mouth, just above our front teeth. So saying this is just a matter of sliding our tongue quickly back and forward from middle to front position and back again:
Red lorry, yellow lorry.
2. The difficult 'th' sound is best practised at first with a mirror so you can actually see the tip of your tongue IN FRONT of your top teeth. With tongue in this position 'th' is said - not by using our vocal chords, but simply by blowing air.
Cathy thinks thugs are thick
3. Another one which uses the 'th' sound. Although it is only used twice it is difficult because we are using 's' and 'sh' sounds as well. This one ensures we pronounce all three as separate sounds, rather than using 's' for 'th'.
The sick sixth sheik's sixth sheep is sick.
4. The purpose of this one is to correctly form rounded and clear vowel sounds. It uses the 'r' sound as the initial consonant so is particularly helpful for Asian students. Both the words rugged and ragged are two syllable words which is unusual in English with words that end in 'ed'
Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.
5. Here's another which ensures you are saying vowels correctly. The main difficulty with this one comes when you are reading it because it includes one of those horrid English words which is pronounced differently to the way it is written! It is also a very good one for those who doubt that English is a stressed language. If you are using correct English stress or rhythm, it won't be so difficult. But, it is important in this one to sound the final consonants 'n' and 'm' clearly as well.
Swan swam over the pond,
Swim swan swim.
Swan swam back again,
Well swum, swan.
6. The most famous of all English tongue twisters: Peter Piper. The purpose of this is to ensure you are pronouncing ALL your words clearly. Also, if you are using correct English rhythm or stress it is much easier to say.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
7. Most of you find this the easiest. Its purpose is to ensure clarity between the single 's' and the 'sh' sound.
She sells sea-shells by the sea-shore.
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