Tracking English Pronunciation

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Track English sounds - parrot what you hear!

One technique you can use to improve your pronunciation is call “tracking.”  When you track a speaker, you repeat exactly what you hear, just like a parrot!

Tracking is a useful way to develop your sensitivity to English sounds.

Try this:

  • Turn on the radio, watch the TV, put on a movie, or listen to a podcast like this one
  • Choose a conversation and listen to just 1 speaker
  • Listen to the speaker’s words, but DON’T think about the meaning – pretend you are listening to music and only pay attention to the sound
  • Repeat exactly what the speaker says, about 1 or 2 words after you hear it, just like a parrot
  • If this is too hard, start with humming: copy the intonation and rhythm of the speaker with your voice – you can add words later when you are more confident

Tracking helps you focus on the ‘music’ of English – the rhythm, the notes, and the instruments of consonants and vowels.

Practice tracking about 5 minutes every day and you will be much better at hearing and saying English sounds!

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10 Tips for Watching English Movies

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Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/perfectoinsecto/

Everyone LOVES watching movies!  It’s a fun way to improve your English, too.

But, do you know how to use video for learning language?

Most people watch English movies with the subtitles on.  This can help you understand what’s going on, but there are many other ways to use video to learn English.

Here are 10 tips for watching English movies:

1.            Use subtitles… or NOT!

If you always use subtitles for movies, you’re probably reading, not listening.  Try turning the subtitles OFF – maybe you don’t really need them.

2.            Rewind – watch again and again

Pick a short conversation in the video and listen to it 3 or 4 times.  If you have trouble understanding what people are saying, try this:

  • First, watch with the subtitles OFF
  • Then, watch again with the subtitles ON
  • Watch a final time with the subtitles OFF

3.            Turn off the sound

Wait… what? That’s right. TURN OFF THE SOUND.  Just watch for a few minutes:  Can you guess what people are saying?  How do they feel?  What are the relationships between people?

Watch body language, facial expressions, and try to ‘read lips’ to figure out what’s going on.  Then, watch that part again with the sound on.

4.            Turn off the screen

Movies are visual, so we get a lot of information from the pictures.  If you turn off the screen, you can challenge your listening skills.

5.            Repeat for sound

In the last post, you learned about ‘Tracking.’  Listen to a conversation and repeat exactly what you hear.  Don’t think about meaning – just focus on sound.

6.            Repeat for meaning

At the really important parts of the movie, make sure you understand what’s happening.  Repeat out loud what the actor says.  Focus on the meaning.  Pause the movie – rewind if you have to – and make sure you understand before continuing.

7.            Learn new words

What did she say? If you don’t know a word, look it up.  Try to guess the spelling from the sound (but if that’s really hard, look at the subtitles to find the spelling).  Check your English dictionary for the meaning.

8.            Learn new phrases

How do people get things done in the movie?  Make a list of phrases you hear for things like saying hello, asking for help, getting information, saying sorry, and giving orders.  When the movie is over, try using these expressions in your daily life.

9.            Write it down

For a real challenge, use one short part for a dictation – write down exactly what you hear an actor say.  Use the subtitles to check your sentences.

10.            Be an actor!

The ULTIMATE challenge:  imagine you are in the movie and act out one part of it.  Learn a speech from one actor and pretend you are in the movie.  Have fun learning the words, body language, facial expressions, and gestures and trying them out!

Practice these 10 Tips the next time you watch an English movie and your English communication will improve.  Soon you won’t need subtitles at all!

To work with a Certified Teacher to improve your accent ContactLaura Meet in-person in Toronto or online from anywhere in the world on Skype

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Linking Consonant and Same Consonant

Here is another Mini-Lesson:  ”Linking Consonant & Same Consonant”

CLICK ON THE PICTURE for an interactive pronunciation lesson on linking:

Mini-Lesson Linking Same Consonants

To work with a Certified Teacher to improve your accent Contact Laura Meet in-person in Toronto or online from anywhere in the world on Skype

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How to Say “No” Politely

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Saying "No"

Saying "No" (Photo by Lars Plougmann)

“No” is an important word

Saying, “No” is one of the first things we learn how to say.  Two-year-olds say, “No” as a way to show their sense of self – this is very powerful, as every parent of a two-year-old knows!

The word, “No” helps us put healthy limitations and boundaries on our relationships.

With really close friends and family members, we can often just say, “No” directly.  However, most of the time, we need to be careful about telling others, “No” – we don’t want to hurt their feelings or seem offensive.

Saying “No” directly or politely

Direct:

  • No.
  • No thanks.
  • No, I can’t.
  • No, I don’t like it.
  • No, I don’t want to.

Direct expressions can sound rude if you use them with the wrong people.  Use direct expressions only with very close friends and family members.

Polite:

  • Sorry, but I don’t particularly like mushrooms.
  • I’m afraid I’m unable to meet for lunch. I have to work uptown today.
  • I’d really rather not go to the mall.
  • Sorry, I’m not really fond of swimming.
  • That’s very kind of you, but I really have to get prepared for a test tomorrow.
  • Thank you, but it’s not my idea of a good time.

Polite expressions can be used with anyone, which makes them safer to say.  But, if you use these too often with your closest friends, you may seem a little distant or cold.

Practice polite refusals

Practice these expressions for 5 minutes a day this week.  Say them in your own sentences.  When you’re ready, try to use them in your conversations with friends and coworkers whenever you need to say, “No.”  If you’re not sure if you should be direct, remember that it’s better to be polite.

To work with a Certified Teacher to improve your accent Contact Laura Meet in-person in Toronto or online from anywhere in the world on Skype

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