This is the second course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization. In this course, you will learn and practice all of the vowel sounds of American English, including pairs of vowels that may be easy to confuse. Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of vowel sounds. You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.
This course is part of the The Pronunciation of American English Specialization
Offered By
The Pronunciation of American English SpecializationUniversity of California, IrvineAbout this Course
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Course 2 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
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Beginner Level
Approx. 22 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 2 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Beginner Level
Approx. 22 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
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.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
4 minutes to complete
Welcome
Welcome to Vowels of American English Pronunciation! In this course, you’ll practice all the vowel sounds of American English—like the first sounds in “apple,” “out,” or “even” that flow out of your mouth very smoothly. You’ll also practice some pairs of vowel sounds that may be confusing, like the middle sounds in “beat” and “bit” or “set” and “sat.” Some of these vowel 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 vowel sounds of American English.
4 minutes to complete
1 video (Total 2 min), 1 reading
1 video
1 reading
Optional Pronunciation Journal2m
6 hours to complete
Introduction to Vowels
6 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 39 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes
8 videos
Vowels Pretest Review5m
Vowel Overview3m
Vowel Overview Practice Activity4m
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels8m
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels Practice Activity5m
Pronunciation Tips6m
Shadowing a Conversation4m
9 readings
Vowels Pretest Directions2m
Vowels Supplemental Materials1m
Vowel Overview Directions1m
Vowel Overview Practice Activity Directions1m
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels Directions1m
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels Practice Activity Directions1m
Pronunciation Tips1m
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1m
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment1h
4 practice exercises
Vowels Pretest24m
Vowel Overview Practice Quiz20m
Rounded and Unrounded Practice Quiz20m
Week 1 Graded Quiz40m
6 hours to complete
Vowels Part 1
6 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 46 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes
9 videos
Front Vowels7m
Front Vowels Practice Activity6m
Tense and Lax Vowels6m
Tense and Lax Vowels Practice Activity4m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 16m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Activity3m
Pronunciation Tips5m
Shadowing a Conversation3m
9 readings
Front Vowels Directions1m
Front Vowels Practice Activity Directions1m
Tense and Lax Vowels Directions1m
Tense and Lax Vowels Practice Activity Directions1m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Directions1m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Activity Directions1m
Pronunciation Tips1m
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1m
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment1h
4 practice exercises
Front Vowels Practice Quiz20m
Tense and Lax Practice Quiz20m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Quiz20m
Week 2 Graded Quiz40m
6 hours to complete
Vowels Part 2
6 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 50 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes
10 videos
Central Vowels3m
Back Vowels6m
Central and Back Vowels Practice Activity6m
Diphthongs5m
Diphthongs Practice Activity6m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 26m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Activity4m
Pronunciation Tips5m
Shadowing a Conversation3m
9 readings
Central and Back Vowels Directions1m
Central and Back Vowels Practice Activity Directions1m
Diphthongs Directions1m
Diphthongs Practice Activity Directions1m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Directions1m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Activity Directions1m
Pronunciation Tips1m
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1m
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment1h
4 practice exercises
Central and Back Vowels Practice Quiz20m
Diphthongs Practice Quiz20m
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Quiz20m
Week 3 Graded Quiz40m
6 hours to complete
Vowel Challenges
6 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 50 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes
9 videos
Unstressed Vowels6m
Unstressed Vowels Practice Activity5m
R-Controlled7m
R-Controlled Practice Activity5m
Vowel Spelling Challenges7m
Vowel Spelling Challenges Practice Activity6m
Pronunciation Tips5m
Shadowing a Conversation3m
9 readings
Unstressed Vowels Directions1m
Unstressed Vowels Practice Activity Directions1m
R-Controlled Directions1m
R-Controlled Practice Activity Directions1m
Vowel Spelling Challenges Directions1m
Vowel Spelling Challenges Practice Activity Directions1m
Pronunciation Tips1m
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1m
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment1h
4 practice exercises
Unstressed Vowels Practice Quiz20m
R-Controlled Practice Quiz20m
Vowel Spelling Challenges Practice Quiz20m
Week 4 Graded Quiz40m
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.
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