Pronunciation Lesson 3

In this 3-part video lesson, we will be looking at:

Part 1

Strong or weak prepositions?

Do you know that some prepositions in English have two different pronunciations when they’re spoken naturally?

Watch this video and learn both pronunciations.

This will help you to:

• understand fast spoken English.
• sound more natural when you speak.

Part 2

Word linking – what does zin mean?

What does zin mean? Zin?? Oh, he’s in the garden!

Sometimes, when words link up with other words, it seems as if a totally new word is being invented. This is because of the way we change our pronunciation depends on the pronunciation at the end of one word and the beginning of the next word. This helps us to speak more easily, faster and more naturally.

Come and see the key ways this happens – and learn one of the important tips for understanding fluent, natural spoken English.

You’ll learn and practise how we say words and phrases when words end in:

• a consonant sound and the next word begins with a vowel sound.
• a silent final consonant and the next word begins with a vowel sound.
• the letter y and the next words begins with a vowel sound.

Part 3

Sounding polite

How do we say Excuse me? in a polite, friendly way?

Sometimes our grammar and vocabulary might be perfect but the music in the way we say things can sound unfriendly. In English, it’s very important to use intonation to sound polite and friendly.

In this short video you’ll learn to

• hear the difference between people being polite and friendly – and not!
• Use intonation to make sure you sound polite and friendly.