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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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.
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 2 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.

Course 2 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?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructors

Instructor rating

4.86/5 (62 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 Rating98%(4,660 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

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

5 hours to complete

Introduction to Vowels

5 hours to complete

8 videos (Total 39 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

8 videos

Introduction to Week 11mVowels Pretest Review5mVowel Overview3mVowel Overview Practice Activity4mRounded and Unrounded Vowels8mRounded and Unrounded Vowels Practice Activity5mPronunciation Tips6mShadowing a Conversation4m

9 readings

Vowels Pretest Directions2mVowels Supplemental Materials1mVowel Overview Directions1mVowel Overview Practice Activity Directions1mRounded and Unrounded Vowels Directions1mRounded and Unrounded Vowels Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Vowels Pretest30mVowel Overview Practice Quiz30mRounded and Unrounded Practice Quiz30mWeek 1 Graded Quiz30m

Week2

Week 2

6 hours to complete

Vowels Part 1

6 hours to complete

9 videos (Total 46 min), 9 readings, 5 quizzes

9 videos

Introduction to Week 21mFront Vowels7mFront Vowels Practice Activity6mTense and Lax Vowels6mTense and Lax Vowels Practice Activity4mConfusing Vowel Pairs 16mConfusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Activity3mPronunciation Tips5mShadowing a Conversation3m

9 readings

Front Vowels Directions1mFront Vowels Practice Activity Directions1mTense and Lax Vowels Directions1mTense and Lax Vowels Practice Activity Directions1mConfusing Vowel Pairs 1 Directions1mConfusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Front Vowels Practice Quiz30mTense and Lax Practice Quiz30mConfusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Quiz30mWeek 2 Graded Quiz30m

Week3

Week 3

6 hours to complete

Vowels Part 2

6 hours to complete

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

10 videos

Introduction to Week 31mCentral Vowels3mBack Vowels6mCentral and Back Vowels Practice Activity6mDiphthongs5mDiphthongs Practice Activity6mConfusing Vowel Pairs 26mConfusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Activity4mPronunciation Tips5mShadowing a Conversation3m

9 readings

Central and Back Vowels Directions1mCentral and Back Vowels Practice Activity Directions1mDiphthongs Directions1mDiphthongs Practice Activity Directions1mConfusing Vowel Pairs 2 Directions1mConfusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Central and Back Vowels Practice Quiz30mDiphthongs Practice Quiz30mConfusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Quiz30mWeek 3 Graded Quiz30m

Week4

Week 4

6 hours to complete

Vowel Challenges

6 hours to complete

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

9 videos

Introduction to Week 41mUnstressed Vowels6mUnstressed Vowels Practice Activity5mR-Controlled7mR-Controlled Practice Activity5mVowel Spelling Challenges7mVowel Spelling Challenges Practice Activity6mPronunciation Tips5mShadowing a Conversation3m

9 readings

Unstressed Vowels Directions1mUnstressed Vowels Practice Activity Directions1mR-Controlled Directions1mR-Controlled Practice Activity Directions1mVowel Spelling Challenges Directions1mVowel Spelling Challenges Practice Activity Directions1mPronunciation Tips1mShadowing a Conversation Directions1mShadowing a Conversation Assignment1h

4 practice exercises

Unstressed Vowels Practice Quiz30mR-Controlled Practice Quiz30mVowel Spelling Challenges Practice Quiz30mWeek 4 Graded Quiz30m

Reviews

4.9

60 reviews

5 stars
89.20%
4 stars
8.52%
3 stars
1.13%
2 stars
1.13%

TOP REVIEWS FROM VOWELS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

by JOJun 22, 2022

Great course, helped me a lot with my listening and pronunciation

by NTNov 6, 2022

The course is great to me. I have learnt many new things regarding to American pronunciation.

Thanks so much!

by RPMay 20, 2020

I enjoyed this course, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to learn or brush up on their American English vowel sounds.

by ASFeb 18, 2021

I loved how was format the course, and it's been constructive in my English journey. Thank you to the staff and Coursera for this opportunity.

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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Vowels 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 Vowels

Vowels Part 1

Vowels Part 2

Vowel Challenges

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM VOWELS OF AMERICAN ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

About the The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

Frequently Asked Questions

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Vowels 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 Vowels

Vowels Part 1

Vowels Part 2

Vowel Challenges

Reviews

TOP REVIEWS FROM VOWELS 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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