In this advanced topic, study words that end in the [ns] sounds, and how Americans really pronounce them. Bonus: this applies to words with [nʃ] as well! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video Text: In this American English … [Read more...]
Study the pronunciation of various consonant clusters.
The KW Consonant Cluster
Be QUITE sure how to pronounce QU-words with this video. Watch the up close, slow motion pronunciation to study the lip rounding and get it right: question, quality, quick, queen, etc. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video … [Read more...]
How to Pronounce Ending T Clusters + Homophones — Baking!
Oops! Error at 4:18: should be [ wɛəɹ‿əɹ jəɹ] :) Study real English conversation and special topics like ending T clusters, all while making some bagels with my friend Laura! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
S Consonant Clusters
For people who speak Spanish and Portuguese, s-cluster words can be tough. The mistake is to pronounce an ‘eh’ vowel before the cluster. Watch this video and try to break that habit! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
How to Pronounce the TR Consonant Cluster
I’ve noticed that some students change the T to a CH in this cluster – great, many Americans do that too! But the problem is that some will drop the R. We can’t do that. Learn the right way to make this tough consonant cluster. YouTube blocked? … [Read more...]
Holding out the R in Clusters
When working with a difficult sound like R, it’s always a good idea to hold it out to solidify your understanding of the mouth position. Work on holding out your R while practicing clusters. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
How to Make the TS Sound
The TS sound can be tough, ending words like ‘its’, ‘parents’, and ‘results’. Learn how to practice and make this ending cluster. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCKMM8CyPIw Video Text: Today I’m … [Read more...]
How to Pronounce the SHR Consonant Cluster
Clusters can be a challenge. Learn the position of the SHR cluster, and how your mouth should change from beginning to end. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8m4hv_eVN0 Video Text: Today I'm going … [Read more...]
TR souding like CHR, DR like JR, and STR like SDR
You may have noticed that when native speakers say the TR cluster in words like ‘train’ and ‘try’, it often sounds like CHR. This is also true for the DR cluster: it ends up sounding like JR. Learn more about this concept. YouTube blocked? Click … [Read more...]
How To Make the ‘QU’ Sound
This consonant cluster can be a challenge [kw]. Those people who struggle with it usually don’t round their lips enough for the [w] sound. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qpv6aK_GWxw Video … [Read more...]
The THS Sound
The THS is one of the English sound combinations that can be tricky. One tip that will help: keep your tongue relaxed. A relaxed tongue is necessary to make the TH. If the tongue has tension in it, the TH will sound like a stop consonant rather … [Read more...]