Speaking with variation in syllable length and stress is an important part of sounding American. Study the difference in stressed and unstressed syllables while I consider names for my new bike! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
These videos go over word stress in words. In every multi-syllable word, only one syllable can have primary stress. How is it different from the unstressed syllables?
Weddings! 2-Syllable Words Stress
Study real life conversation and notice word stress in two-syllable words. You’ll also get to see a lovely American wedding, out in the cornfields of Indiana! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
Hurricane Sandy
Come with me as I visit friends in Manhattan who were affected by Hurricane Sandy and study real English conversation. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ESNhMb5T0 Video Text: As many of you probably … [Read more...]
Visit Coney Island!
Come for a visit to New York’s Coney Island! You’ll study real English conversation and see reductions in action. Plus, you get to see Rachel get scared on a ride! YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
English: A Stress-Timed Language
In some languages, every syllable is the same length. In English, it sounds very awkward to make each syllable the same length. It’s important to have contrast, some long and some short syllables. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
Word Stress and -ING Verbs
The –ING ending is always unstressed. Study what that means and integrate better rhythm contrast into your spoken English. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_yuDRfZ3X4 Video Text: In this … [Read more...]
How to Pronounce -er Endings
How should you pronounce words that end in –er? Correct stress is as important as correct sounds. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYp9Sv6RJU0 Video Text: In this American English pronunciation … [Read more...]
How to Stress a Syllable :: The Shape of Stress
The shape and melody of the voice – the intonation – is one of the most important factors in sounding natural and American. Learn how the shape of a stressed syllable should be. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
Word Stress + Acronyms
When saying an acronym, like HBO or CVS, stress the last letter. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcMfW1jyay0 Video Text: Today, a quick lesson in word stress. Did you know, when you're saying a … [Read more...]
English Pronunciation: Stressed Syllables within a Word
Dig into the concept of some syllables in a word being shorter, and some being longer. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxWDDBi3e8o Video Text: Today I’m going to talk about word stress. Word stress … [Read more...]
Listening Comprehension: 2 Syllable words
Can you tell which syllable is stressed and which is unstressed? The more you pay attention to stress and use contrast in your own speech, the easier you’ll be to understand. YouTube blocked? Click here to see the … [Read more...]
Intro to Word Stress
Have you noticed that some syllables in English are long, and others are short? The long syllables are stressed, and the short ones are unstressed. Every word has only one stressed syllable. Study the difference in how these two kinds of syllables … [Read more...]