Allow me to begin this post by asserting my absolute and utmost respect for anyone trying to learn the English language, because it is hard as hell. I can’t personally say I know this through experience because English is my first language, but I have worked with enough individuals through tutoring who are attempting to master it and are finding it rather difficult.
English is not simple, nor is it easy to learn. I think most of us who were born and raised speaking it take for granted how fortunate we are to have learned from a very young age.
I’ve worked with a handful of individuals through tutoring who aren’t necessarily looking for assistance in the context of grammar, punctuation, and all of the wonderful elements that comprise a language; rather, they are seeking help with pronunciation and enunciation to become more confident in their everyday engagement with the English language. Over time, I’ve managed to designate a few tips and tricks that seem to work well for those I suggest them to, and I thought it might benefit someone to write a post about it.
You’re arguably going to feel like a doofus doing this, but one of the best things you can do to master specific sounds and letter combinations in English is practicing at home, in front of a mirror. Your tongue, lips, mouth and teeth all play a role in enunciation, and if you’re having difficulty mastering a certain sound, watching your own mouth and how it moves when trying to recreate a sound can be very helpful.
Another great trick to practice and familiarize yourself with English, or, really, any language, for that matter, is to watch and listen to shows, movies and radio in the language you’re wanting to learn. The more you immerse yourself in it, the easier it gets.
Photo by Ivan Shilov on Unsplash
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