This course is part of the The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

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Helen Nam +3 more instructors

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The Pronunciation of American English SpecializationUniversity of California, Irvine

About this Course

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In this first course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization, you will learn and practice all of the consonant sounds of American English, including some pairs of consonants that are especially tricky.  Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of consonant sounds.  You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.
Only learners who pay for the course will be able to take the graded quizzes or submit assignments for feedback. The free version provides access to the lectures and practice activities only.

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Course 1 of 4 in the

The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Coursera Labs

Includes hands on learning projects.

Learn more about Coursera Labs

Course 1 of 4 in the

The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

Beginner Level

Approx. 22 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

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Instructors

Instructor rating

4.9/5 (293 Ratings)

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

Since 1965, the University of California, Irvine has combined the strengths of a major research university with the bounty of an incomparable Southern California location. UCI’s unyielding commitment to rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and leadership and character development makes the campus a driving force for innovation and discovery that serves our local, national and global communities in many ways.

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Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating99%(14,646 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

4 minutes to complete

Welcome

Welcome to Consonants of American English Pronunciation! In this course, you’ll practice all the consonant sounds of American English—like the first sounds in “town,” “zoo,” or “night.” You’ll also practice some pairs of consonant sounds that may be confusing, like the first sounds in “thick” and “sick” or “boat” and “vote.” Some of these consonant sounds will probably be very easy for you, but some may be more of a challenge. Don’t give up. Keep listening to the sounds, learning about how they’re pronounced, and practicing the ones you find difficult. Good luck practicing the pronunciation of the consonant sounds of American English.

4 minutes to complete

1 video (Total 2 min), 1 reading

5 hours to complete

Introduction to Consonants

5 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 28 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

8 videos

Introduction to Week 11mConsonants Pretest Review3mConsonant Overview5mConsonant Overview Practice Activity3mVoiced and Voiceless Sounds3mVoiced and Voiceless Sounds Practice Activity2mPronunciation Tips3mShadowing a Conversation4m

9 readings

Consonants Pretest Directions2mConsonants Supplemental Materials1mConsonant Overview Directions1mConsonant Overview Practice Activity Directions1mVoiced and Voiceless Sounds Directions1mVoiced and Voiceless Sounds Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Consonants Pretest30mConsonants Overview Practice Quiz30mVoiced and Voiceless Sounds Practice Quiz30mWeek 1 Graded Quiz30m

Week2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Consonants Part 1

6 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 58 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

11 videos

Introduction to Week 21mConsonant Sounds that Pop Part 15mConsonant Sounds that Pop Part 25mConsonant Sounds that Pop Practice Activity5mConsonant Sounds that Hiss Part 15mConsonant Sounds that Hiss Part 26mConsonant Sounds that Hiss Practice Activity5mConfusing Consonant Pairs 110mConfusing Consonant Pairs 1 Practice Activity4mPronunciation Tips5mShadowing a Conversation2m

9 readings

Consonant Sounds that Pop Directions1mConsonant Sounds that Pop Practice Activity Directions1mConsonant Sounds that Hiss Directions1mConsonant Sounds that Hiss Practice Activity Directions1mConfusing Consonant Pairs 1 Directions1mConfusing Consonant Pairs 1 Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Consonants that Pop Practice Quiz30mConsonant Sounds that Hiss Practice Quiz30mConfusing Consonant Pairs 1 Practice Quiz30mWeek 2 Graded Quiz30m

Week3

Week 3

6 hours to complete

Consonants Part 2

6 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 44 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

9 videos

Introduction to Week 358sConsonant Sounds that Hum3mConsonant Sounds that Hum Practice Activity5mConsonant Sounds that Flow5mConsonant Sounds that Flow Practice Activity5mConfusing Consonant Pairs 210mConfusing Consonant Pairs 2 Practice Activity5mPronunciation Tips4mShadowing a Conversation2m

9 readings

Consonant Sounds that Hum Directions1mConsonant Sounds that Hum Practice Activity Directions1mConsonant Sounds that Flow Directions1mConsonant Sounds that Flow Practice Activity Directions1mConfusing Consonant Pairs 2 Directions1mConfusing Consonant Pairs 2 Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Consonant Sounds that Hum Practice Quiz30mConsonant Sounds that Flow Practice Quiz30mConfusing Consonant Pairs 2 Practice Quiz20mWeek 3 Graded Quiz40m

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Consonant Challenges

6 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 50 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

9 videos

Introduction to Week 41mFinal Consonants and Consonant Clusters7mFinal Consonants and Consonant Clusters Practice Activity6mPronunciation of -s and -ed Endings7mPronunciation of -s and -ed Endings Practice Activity5mVariations of Some Consonant Sounds6mVariations of Some Consonant Sounds Practice Activity7mPronunciation Tips4mShadowing a Conversation3m

9 readings

Final Consonants and Consonant Clusters Directions1mFinal Consonants and Consonant Clusters Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation of -s and -ed Endings Directions1mPronunciation of -s and -ed Endings Practice Activity Directions1mVariations of Some Consonant Sounds Directions1mVariations of Some Consonant Sounds Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Final Consonants and Consonant Clusters Practice Quiz30mPronunciation of -s and -ed Endings Practice Quiz30mVariations of Some Consonant Sounds Practice Quiz20mWeek 4 Graded Quiz30m

Reviews

4.8

245 reviews

5 stars
87.80%
4 stars
9.03%
3 stars
1.35%
2 stars
0.60%
1 star
1.20%

TOP REVIEWS FROM CONSONANTS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

by AMJun 29, 2020

I am a TEFL/TESL teacher, and I am very glad with all the material provided on this course. It is clear and can help so many learners.

by GAJan 28, 2021

The first few weeks were very good, I got it right now, the last two were a little more complicated. I did not understand the symbols that the sounds represent.

by STDec 4, 2020

I liked the course. I think is really complete including tips for English learns, visuals for the position of the mouth and tests to score your skills.

by ITDec 2, 2021

I am really grateful for this experience. Especially, Miss Meg Parker for her clear instructions and Miss Marla Yoshida and Helen Nam for their fun practices.

View all reviews

About the The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

This specialization is intended for anyone who wants to achieve clearer, more understandable pronunciation of American English to help them communicate more easily and effectively. Through these four courses, you will learn about and practice consonant and vowel sounds, along with aspects of the “music” of English, including word stress, intonation, and connected speech. Clearer pronunciation leads to success in business, education, or any field where English is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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Consonants of American English Pronunciation

About this Course

Instructors

Helen Nam

Marla Yoshida

Meg Parker
Top Instructor

Emily Wong

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Welcome

Introduction to Consonants

Consonants Part 1

Consonants Part 2

Consonant Challenges

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM CONSONANTS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

About the The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

Frequently Asked Questions

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Consonants of American English Pronunciation

About this Course

Instructors

Helen Nam

Marla Yoshida

Meg ParkerTop Instructor

Emily Wong

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Welcome

Introduction to Consonants

Consonants Part 1

Consonants Part 2

Consonant Challenges

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM CONSONANTS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

About the The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

Frequently Asked Questions

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Meg Parker
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