English has more sounds than the number of letters in the alphabet. We know that the alphabet, which starts from A and ends with Z, has only 26 letters. Meanwhile, there are more than 40 distinctive sounds in English. That is why it is very common in English that the same letters are very often used to represent different sounds. You may have known this from the Anglo-link video on the other page. (Go to this link below if you haven't watched it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssuiqtreiBg)
For example, the combination of letters 'ea' in writing may be pronounced /i:/ as in 'bean'; but it may also be pronounced /eǝ/ as in 'bear', or /ɪǝ/ as in 'hear', or /ei/ as in 'great', or /e/ as in 'instead'. It is a good idea to always check your dictionary for the correct pronunciation of every new word you found!
In order to be an effective listener, the first thing to do is understanding all the English sounds (phonemes) and how they are combined to make syllables, words, phrases or longer stretches of utterances. Phonemes are sounds that differentiate meanings. According to experts, English has 24 consonants and 20 vowels consisting of 12 short vowels and 8 diphthongs. Learn all the sounds by imitating them accurately. Use the following links for this purpose:
In order to be an effective listener, the first thing to do is understanding all the English sounds (phonemes) and how they are combined to make syllables, words, phrases or longer stretches of utterances. Phonemes are sounds that differentiate meanings. According to experts, English has 24 consonants and 20 vowels consisting of 12 short vowels and 8 diphthongs. Learn all the sounds by imitating them accurately. Use the following links for this purpose:
- http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/phonemic-chart
- http://www.oupchina.com.hk/dict/phonetic/home.html
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron/sounds/
- A video from cambridgeenglishonline.com (click below)
In order to know how each of the English phonemes is produced in our mouth, go to this link: English phonemes.
For some exercises on English sounds, go to these links:
1. Phonetic games:
http://cambridgeenglishonline.com/Phonetics_Focus/
2. Phonetic chart and exercise:
http://www.stuff.co.uk/calcul_nd.htm
3. Phonic games: http://learningapps.org/204183
4. Phonetic transcription exercises:
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=4767
The link from BBC Learning English below is an excellent place to visit for improving your pronunciation and listening skills:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/pron
Suko
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