Lesson No 36B-Practice With Difficult Sounds And Words

Here are some effective strategies to practice difficult sounds and words in English:

1. Identify the Problem Sounds:

• Listen carefully: Pay attention to the sounds that you find challenging.
• Ask for help: Consult a language teacher, tutor, or native English speaker for guidance.
• Use a dictionary or pronunciation guide: Many dictionaries provide phonetic transcriptions that can help you identify difficult sounds.

2. Break Down Words:

• Sound by sound: Practice saying each individual sound in a word slowly and clearly.
• Syllable by syllable: Break down words into syllables and practice pronouncing each syllable separately.

3. Use Tongue Twisters:

• Tongue twisters can help you practice difficult sounds and improve your fluency.
  • Example: “She sells seashells by the seashore.”

4. Record Yourself:

• Listen and analyze: Record yourself speaking and listen for any pronunciation errors.
• Compare with native speakers: Compare your pronunciation to that of native English speakers.

5. Practice with a Partner:

• Get feedback: Practice speaking with a language partner and ask for feedback on your pronunciation.
• Correct each other: Help each other identify and correct pronunciation mistakes.

6. Use Online Resources:

• There are many online resources available to help you practice pronunciation, such as:
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/
  • Learn English with Pronunciation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4NVPg2kHv4
  • Rachel’s English: https://rachelsenglish.com/

Here are some more specific exercises to practice difficult sounds and words in English:

Pronunciation Drills:

• Minimal pair practice: Practice words that differ by only one sound. For example: “ship” and “sheep,” “pen” and “pin.”
• Shadowing: Repeat spoken English sentences immediately after hearing them to mimic their pronunciation.
• Tongue twisters: Practice tongue twisters to improve your fluency and articulation.

Word Lists:

• Practice lists of words containing difficult sounds: For example, words with the “th” sound, the “r” sound, or the schwa sound.
• Create your own word lists: Focus on words that you find particularly challenging.

Online Resources:

• Explore online pronunciation guides and tutorials: Many websites and apps offer exercises and resources to