Vowels of American English Pronunciation

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Vowels of American English Pronunciation

This course is part of The Pronunciation of American English Specialization

Instructors: Meg Parker

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

276 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

276 reviews

Beginner level

No prior experience required

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

16 assignments¹

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Taught in English

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

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

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There are 5 modules in this course

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.

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.

What's included

1 video1 reading

What's included

8 videos9 readings4 assignments1 peer review

8 videosTotal 39 minutes

Introduction to Week 11 minute
Vowels Pretest Review5 minutes
Vowel Overview4 minutes
Vowel Overview Practice Activity5 minutes
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels8 minutes
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels Practice Activity5 minutes
Pronunciation Tips7 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation4 minutes

9 readingsTotal 69 minutes

Vowels Pretest Directions2 minutes
Vowels Supplemental Materials1 minute
Vowel Overview Directions1 minute
Vowel Overview Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels Directions1 minute
Rounded and Unrounded Vowels Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Pronunciation Tips1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment60 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Vowels Pretest30 minutes
Vowel Overview Practice Quiz 30 minutes
Rounded and Unrounded Practice Quiz 30 minutes
Week 1 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 60 minutes

Week 1 Speaking Assignment60 minutes

What's included

9 videos9 readings4 assignments1 peer review

9 videosTotal 46 minutes

Introduction to Week 21 minute
Front Vowels8 minutes
Front Vowels Practice Activity6 minutes
Tense and Lax Vowels6 minutes
Tense and Lax Vowels Practice Activity5 minutes
Confusing Vowel Pairs 17 minutes
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Activity4 minutes
Pronunciation Tips6 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation3 minutes

9 readingsTotal 68 minutes

Front Vowels Directions1 minute
Front Vowels Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Tense and Lax Vowels Directions1 minute
Tense and Lax Vowels Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Directions1 minute
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Pronunciation Tips1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment60 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Front Vowels Practice Quiz30 minutes
Tense and Lax Practice Quiz30 minutes
Confusing Vowel Pairs 1 Practice Quiz30 minutes
Week 2 Graded Quiz30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 2 Speaking Assignment120 minutes

What's included

10 videos9 readings4 assignments1 peer review

10 videosTotal 50 minutes

Introduction to Week 31 minute
Central Vowels3 minutes
Back Vowels7 minutes
Central and Back Vowels Practice Activity7 minutes
Diphthongs5 minutes
Diphthongs Practice Activity7 minutes
Confusing Vowel Pairs 27 minutes
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Activity4 minutes
Pronunciation Tips6 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation3 minutes

9 readingsTotal 68 minutes

Central and Back Vowels Directions1 minute
Central and Back Vowels Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Diphthongs Directions1 minute
Diphthongs Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Directions1 minute
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Pronunciation Tips1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment60 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Central and Back Vowels Practice Quiz30 minutes
Diphthongs Practice Quiz30 minutes
Confusing Vowel Pairs 2 Practice Quiz30 minutes
Week 3 Graded Quiz 30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 3 Speaking Assignment120 minutes

What's included

9 videos9 readings4 assignments1 peer review

9 videosTotal 50 minutes

Introduction to Week 41 minute
Unstressed Vowels6 minutes
Unstressed Vowels Practice Activity5 minutes
R-Controlled8 minutes
R-Controlled Practice Activity6 minutes
Vowel Spelling Challenges7 minutes
Vowel Spelling Challenges Practice Activity7 minutes
Pronunciation Tips6 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation4 minutes

9 readingsTotal 68 minutes

Unstressed Vowels Directions1 minute
Unstressed Vowels Practice Activity Directions1 minute
R-Controlled Directions1 minute
R-Controlled Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Vowel Spelling Challenges Directions1 minute
Vowel Spelling Challenges Practice Activity Directions1 minute
Pronunciation Tips1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Directions1 minute
Shadowing a Conversation Assignment60 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 120 minutes

Unstressed Vowels Practice Quiz 30 minutes
R-Controlled Practice Quiz30 minutes
Vowel Spelling Challenges Practice Quiz 30 minutes
Week 4 Graded Quiz 30 minutes

1 peer reviewTotal 120 minutes

Week 4 Speaking Assignment120 minutes

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Instructors

Instructor ratings

(82 ratings)

Helen Nam

University of California, Irvine

15 Courses1,330,988 learners

Marla Yoshida

11 Courses398,380 learners

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

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Reviewed on Feb 11, 2024

Videos de muy buena comprensión y también tienen lecturas faciles de comprender y aplicar.

Reviewed on Feb 24, 2025

I love it .. this course is excelllent to improve your learning pronunciation ....

Reviewed on Sep 30, 2021

Good course for me!! But some review peer from classmate not mind :<

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Frequently asked questions

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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.

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