Intonation, Linking, Rhythm, and Stress Archives

This large category is broken up into several subcategories, which you'll find under 'videos' in the main menu. These videos go over rhythm, melody, linking, and stress, and how they all fit in together to make up the character of American English.

CAN Reductions in American English

YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Reductions are a foundational aspect of spoken American English. In this video I’ll show you everything you need to know about the word CAN and how it reduces! Video Text: How much do you know about … [Read more...]

Pronunciation – The Definitive Guide to the Top 100 Words in American English

If you are working to improve your English pronunciation or comprehension you’ll love this video. I show you everything I know about the key elements of natural American English pronunciation: reductions, linking, stressed/unstressed syllables and … [Read more...]

How to Pronounce the Most Common Words in English…the 91st through 100th Most Common!

These 10 words are the 91st through 100th most commonly used words in the English language. Think you know how to pronounce them? You might be surprised! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video Text: Today, you are getting the … [Read more...]

The 81st through 90th Most Common Words in English

If you’re ready to move beyond fluency to perfect spoken English you’re in the right place! Here you will learn the most important words in the English language, getting detailed analysis on each word’s use and pronunciation. Love it? … [Read more...]

Think you can pronounce these 10 words correctly? You might be surprised!

I’m having so much fun with it! If you can pronounce all 10 of these words exactly right, you’re doing very well. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video Text: Today you’re getting the next video in the 100 most common words in … [Read more...]

Learning English – Spoken English Pronunciation of the Most Common English Words

Learning English is difficult—there’s no way around it! If you are truly committed to learning English you need to master the spoken English pronunciation of thousands of English words and the many unique spoken English reductions and colloquialisms … [Read more...]

English Words – The Top 10 – Pronunciation Guide – Learn English (American English)

The pronunciation of English words is notoriously challenging. You can learn English with this video and get detailed pronunciation guidance for the 10 most common English words. This video is the first in a series that will teach you the … [Read more...]

Linking and Thought Groups – Spoken English

Learn about linking and thought groups and how they will help you in American English conversation. When you make pauses in spoken English, separating thought groups, you will be easier to understand. When you link together words within a … [Read more...]

3-syllable Word Stress

Study word stress and three-syllable words that have stress on the last syllable: volunteer, guarantee. How many words can you come up with? Add to the list in the comments below. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video … [Read more...]

Placement and Intonation Exercise: How’s it going?

Focus on practicing the placement and intonation of American English on its own in this video. Work on phrases on the vowel “uh” – take away the words and other sounds to focus on the placement and melody of the phrases. Study with Rachel’s online … [Read more...]

Stress: 3-syllable Words

Learn 3-syllable word stress with this video series. This focuses on stress on the second syllable, so the words have the pattern short-LONG-short. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video Text: In this American English … [Read more...]

Syllable Stress – 3- Syllable Words

Practice English speaking focusing on syllable stress. All of these 3-syllable words have stress on the first syllable. Get on the VIP list for Rachel’s online school! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. Video Text: In this … [Read more...]