How to Improve English Pronunciation

Regardless of whether a person from a different country is trying to improve his English speaking skills, or if a native United States citizen is trying to overcome a local accident, learning to improve English pronunciation is a common desire.
Learning to pronounce words does not happen overnight, so it is important that those seeking to improve their language skills have patience and are diligent in their efforts to improve their English pronunciation abilities.

Things You'll Need

• English-language books and magazines Recorder Mirror Practice discs

Instructions

1. Read loudly from books and magazines. Although this may sound funny, it is a fact that the louder a person speaks, the better he is able to hear himself. A learner can also use a recorder to record speech and listen back to it for mistakes and inconsistencies.

2. Listen to text being read correctly. Many discs and programs that teach English include large sections of text in English that you may read and listen to simultaneously. Even a book on tape would work to accomplish this goal. Listen and read along to hear the correct pronunciation of words.

3. Speak with the disc. As the CD or DVD is playing, read along and speak the words that are being read by the speaker on the disc. When saying the words at the same time as the speaker, a learner can immediately hear differences in speech patterns and pronunciation.

4. Speak in front of the mirror. Speaking English requires a person's mouth to move in specific ways. Speaking in front of the mirror can help a person develop the correct tongue, lip and jaw movements. Spend several minutes watching yourself speak.

5. Ask a native speaker to listen to you as you speak. Accept the feedback that the native speaker offers to you as you speak. It is best to ask the native speaker to correct you at the end of each sentence, so you can make needed changes in your speech and pronunciation as you continue to talk.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid complex sentences at first. When learning to pronounce English words, stick with simple words. As pronunciation improves, more difficult words can be added.

• Failing to practice can lead a person into a sense of false security that makes him believe that he speaks well enough, and that his pronunciation is fine.

Resources

• English Speaking Tips