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Learn by Language: English Pronunciation

Japanese Speakers

This is a general course in American English pronunciation for Japanese speakers. You may need to adjust your training depending on your level of fluency.

Students should practice for 20 minutes/day as often as possible. Use the pages with word lists and reading practice repeatedly. Watch the videos and repeat after the speaker. (You may need to enable pop-ups to see the videos.) Get further practice by reading from a newspaper or book to apply the sounds and rules.

On all 500 Words pages, there are links for extra practice: use these links too!

If you are a beginner in English learning, you may need to study only the 500 word lists, as other pages may be too difficult. It is wise to begin your language learning with correct pronunciation.



Week
Focus
Study Pages
Week 1
Learn about English pronunciation training.
Perfect your R sound. Study the American English position for R.
Practice R in different positions: as first letter, in the middle and as a last letter.
Begin work on stress.
Introduction
R Sounds
R Sounds 500 Words

Week 2
Pronounce the L sound clearly.
Begin thinking about intonation (word stress): how to speak
with natural rhythm.
Continue to work on your R sounds.
L Sounds 500 Words
Read about Intonation (Word Stress)
Practice R sounds
Week 3
Study all short vowel sounds: focus on the short A sounds,
the short I sounds and the Ö sound.
Study intonation more with 5 basic rules.
Continue to practice L sounds.
Practice R sounds by reading the passages aloud. Answer the questions if you wish, but it is more important to read aloud. For an easier reading, try: After the Rains.
Short Vowels: 500 Words
Intonation: More Basics
Practice L sounds
Review R sounds: Readings on Refugees
Week 4
Study the long vowel sounds. These should not be too difficult.
Remember that long vowels are actually long: move your mouth and speak the sounds fully.
Study the American English reductions of the letter T: these are very important to pronunciation.
Practice intonation by repeating after the speaker.
Long Vowels: 500 Words
Study T Sounds
T Sounds: 500 Words



Week 5
Study the 2 sounds of TH.
Practice the 2 sounds of TH with the 500 words lists.
Continue to work on intonation.
Study TH Sounds
TH Sounds: 500 Words
Intonation Practice: Business Profit

Week 6
Study S and Z sounds (sometimes S sounds like Z).
Compare S and SH--be sure these sounds are different.
Continue to work on intonation.

S and Z sounds
Letters with H

Week 7
Learn other English pronunciation sounds. Make sure your V sound vibrates and does not sound like B.
Study the 3 sounds of -ed; be sure to pronounce these sounds at the end of words.
Listen to a long passage with intonation. Read aloud with good intonation after listening to the video.
Take the online grammar tests. See what grammar rules you need to practice.
V and W sounds
-ED sounds
Take online grammar tests.
Week 8
Study the grammar pages you need.
Review everything by speaking through the English evaluation. This includes everyday words with all major English pronunciation rules.
Study grammar as needed.

Continued Practice
To keep practicing, read through the 500 word lists regularly and take the links to extra practice pages on each sound. Practice repeating after the videos--it is better to repeat at least once a week rather than speak on your own all the time.

500 Words Lists


*** If you have not reached your pronunciation goals at the end of this class, do repeat the class. New practice pages are often linked to the pages above. Remember, to change habits of speaking, you need new habits! By practicing pronunciation every day, you give yourself a new habit. Think about the number of years you have spoken English and give yourself a reasonable amount of time to change. ***


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