How To Improve Your Pronunciation

Pronouncing every word correctly leads to poor pronunciation! Good pronunciation comes from
stressing the right words - this is because English is a time-stressed language.

Difficulty Level: Advanced Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

1. Learn the following rules concerning pronunciation.

2. English is considered a stressed language while many other languages are considered syllabic.

3. In other languages, such as French or Italian, each syllable receives equal importance (there is
stress, but each syllable has its own length).

4. English pronunciation focuses on specific stressed words while quickly gliding over the other,
non-stressed, words.

5. Stressed words are considered content words: Nouns e.g. kitchen, Peter - (most) principle verbs
e.g. visit, construct - Adjectives e.g. beautiful, interesting - Adverbs e.g. often, carefully

6. Non-stressed words are considered function words: Determiners e.g. the, a - Auxiliary verbs
e.g. am, were - Prepositions e.g. before, of - Conjunctions e.g. but, and - Pronouns e.g. they, she

7. Read the following sentence aloud: The beautiful Mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.

8. Read the following sentence aloud: He can come on Sundays as long as he doesn't have to do
any homework in the evening.

9. Notice that the first sentence actually takes about the same time to speak well!

10. Even though the second sentence is approximately 30% longer than the first, the
sentences take the same time to speak. This is because there are 5 stressed words in each
sentence.

11. Write down a few sentences, or take a few example sentences from a book or exercise.

12. First underline the stressed words, then read aloud focusing on stressing the underlined
words and gliding over the non-stressed words.

13. Be surprised at how quickly your pronunciation improves! By focusing on stressed

words, non-stressed words and syllables take on their more muted nature.

14. When listening to native speakers, focus on how those speakers stress certain words and
begin to copy this.
Tips:

1. Remember that non-stressed words and syllables are often "swallowed" in English.

2. Always focus on pronouncing stressed words well, non-stressed words can be glided over.

3. Don't focus on pronouncing each word. Focus on the stressed words in each sentence.

When you are speaking English the words you stress can change the underlying meaning of a sentence.
Let's take a look at the following sentence:

I don't think he should get the job.

This simple sentence can have many levels of meaning based on the word you stress. Consider the
meaning of the following sentences with the stressed word in bold. Read each sentence aloud and give
a strong stress to the word in bold:
I don't think he should get the job.
Meaning: Somebody else thinks he should get the job.

I don't think he should get the job.

Meaning: It's not true that I think he should get the job.

I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: That's not really what I mean. OR I'm not sure he'll get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: Somebody else should get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: In my opinion it's wrong that he's going to get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: He should have to earn (be worthy of, work hard for) that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: He should get another job.

I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: Maybe he should get something else instead.
As you can see, there are many different ways this sentence can be understood. The important point to
remember is that the true meaning of the sentence is also expressed through the stressed word or words.
Here is an exercise to help you develop the art of correct word stress. Take the following sentence:
I said she might consider a new haircut.
Say the sentence aloud using the stress word marked in bold. Once you have spoken the sentence a few
times, match the sentence version to the meaning below. You will find the answers to this quiz ahead.

1. I said she might consider a new haircut.

2. I said she might consider a new haircut.
3. I said she might consider a new haircut.
4. I said she might consider a new haircut.
5. I said she might consider a new haircut.
6. I said she might consider a new haircut.
7. I said she might consider a new haircut.
Not just a haircut.
It's a possibility.
It was my idea.
Not something else.
Don't you understand me?
Not another person.
She should think about it. it's a good idea.

Exercise: Write out a number of sentences. Read each of them stressing a different word each time you
read them. Notice how the meaning changes depending on which word you stress. Don't be afraid to
exaggerate the stress, in English we often use this device to add meaning to a sentence. It's very
possible that when you think you are exaggerating, it will sound quite natural to native speakers.
Answers to the word stress exercise:

1. I said she might consider a new haircut.

It was my idea.
2. I said she might consider a new haircut.
Don't you understand me?
3. I said she might consider a new haircut.
Not another person.
4. I said she might consider a new haircut.
It's a possibility.
5. I said she might consider a new haircut.
She should think about it. it's a good idea.
6. I said she might consider a new haircut.
Not just a haircut.
7. I said she might consider a new haircut.
Not something else.