How will practicing pronunciation improve my communication skills?

By mastering American English sounds, rhythm, and intonation, you'll speak more clearly, be understood more easily by native speakers, and gain confidence in your overall English communication. This is key for career development and public speaking.

Will I receive a certificate upon completing this course?

Yes, upon successful completion of all graded assignments and quizzes, you will earn a shareable electronic Certificate. Access to graded assignments and the certificate requires a paid subscription or Financial Aid, though lectures and handouts are available for free.

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

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.

Tricky American English Pronunciation

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Tricky American English Pronunciation

Q: What equipment do I need for this course?

You will need a computer, smartphone, or other recording device to record your voice in .mp3 format for graded assignments.

Instructors: Tamy Chapman

259,006 already enrolled

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

No prior experience required

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Master challenging American English consonant sounds.
Accurately produce tricky American English vowel sounds.
Apply natural rhythm, stress, and intonation in spoken English.
Improve overall clarity and confidence in English communication.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

20 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, you’ll practice the sounds of American English that might sometimes be confusing. You'll practice both consonant and vowel sounds. You’ll also learn about the things that give English its special “music,” such as how to stress the right syllable in a word, how to make your voice go up and down in a natural-sounding melody, and how to naturally connect sounds and words. Learning these things will help you speak more clearly and make sure that others can understand what you're saying.

In this course, you’ll get a comprehensive introduction to American English pronunciation, focusing on both foundational and challenging sound patterns. You’ll begin with an overview of consonant and vowel sounds, rhythm, intonation, and word stress to build a strong base. Then, you’ll dive deeper into tricky consonant sounds, starting with a quick quiz to identify your most challenging areas. Through guided practice of commonly confused sound pairs and clear articulation techniques, you’ll improve clarity, accuracy, and confidence in your spoken English.

What's included

11 videos7 readings5 assignments

11 videosTotal 60 minutes

Welcome1 minute
Meet Your Teacher0 minutes
Pre-Test Review4 minutes
Consonants Overview6 minutes
Tricky Consonant Pairs Part 110 minutes
Tricky Consonant Pairs Part 210 minutes
Consonant Pairs Practice5 minutes
Final Consonants and Consonant Clusters8 minutes
Final Consonants Practice6 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation4 minutes
Pronunciation Tips5 minutes

7 readingsTotal 17 minutes

Consonants Pre-Test Directions5 minutes
Supplemental Materials2 minutes
Consonants Overview2 minutes
Tricky Consonant Pairs2 minutes
Final Consonant Clusters1 minute
Shadowing Directions2 minutes
Pronunciation Tips3 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Graded Quiz30 minutes
Consonants Pre-Test30 minutes
Tricky Consonant Contrasts Practice Quiz30 minutes
Final Consonants and Consonant Clusters Practice Quiz30 minutes
Assignment 130 minutes

In this module, you'll master the tricky vowel sounds in American English. Building on your consonant practice, you'll discover why clear vowel production is crucial for being understood. Vowels are the 'heart' of every syllable, and mastering them is a vital step towards clear English pronunciation. Our goal is to help you speak English in a way that listeners easily understand in real-life conversations. Let's practice those essential vowel sounds!

What's included

9 videos5 readings5 assignments

9 videosTotal 50 minutes

Vowel Pre-Test Review5 minutes
Vowel Sounds Overview4 minutes
Tricky Vowel Contrasts Part 18 minutes
Tricky Vowel Contrasts Part 26 minutes
Tricky Vowel Pairs Practice7 minutes
Unstressed Vowels6 minutes
Unstressed Vowels Practice5 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation3 minutes
Pronunciation Tips6 minutes

5 readingsTotal 16 minutes

Vowels Pre-Test Directions5 minutes
Supplemental Materials5 minutes
Unstressed Vowels1 minute
Shadowing Directions2 minutes
Pronunciation Tips3 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Graded Quiz30 minutes
Vowels Pre-Test 30 minutes
Tricky Vowels Practice Quiz30 minutes
Unstressed Vowels Practice Quiz30 minutes
Assignment 230 minutes

In this module, you'll discover the 'music' of American English, focusing on rhythm and melody. Building on individual sound practice, you'll explore syllables and word stress—how some parts of words are emphasized. We'll also cover weak forms, essential for understanding everyday spoken English. Our goal is to empower you to use English's natural flow to communicate more effectively and be easily understood. Enjoy mastering the rhythm of American English pronunciation!

What's included

11 videos7 readings5 assignments

11 videosTotal 66 minutes

What is the Music of English?4 minutes
Syllables and Word Stress6 minutes
Syllables and Word Stress Practice5 minutes
Intonation8 minutes
Intonation Practice8 minutes
Linking in Connected Speech8 minutes
Linking Connected Speech Practice6 minutes
Reduced Words7 minutes
Reduced Words Practice4 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation3 minutes
Pronunciation Tips6 minutes

7 readingsTotal 35 minutes

Supplemental Materials5 minutes
Thought Groups and Intonation1 minute
Supplemental Materials5 minutes
Connected Speech and Reducing Words1 minute
Supplemental Materials10 minutes
Shadowing Directions10 minutes
Pronunciation Tips3 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 150 minutes

Graded Quiz30 minutes
Syllables and Word Stress Practice Quiz30 minutes
Intonation Practice Quiz30 minutes
Connected Speech Practice Quiz30 minutes
Assignment 330 minutes

In this final module, you'll tackle advanced American English pronunciation challenges, building on your foundational skills. You'll learn to correctly pronounce '-s' and '-ed' word endings, crucial for grammatical accuracy. We'll also practice distinguishing tricky numbers (e.g., 14 vs. 40) and the subtle differences in 'can' and 'can't'. Finally, you'll master common sound changes in everyday speech like 'gonna' and 'wanna', helping you sound more natural and avoid misunderstandings in real-world English communication.

What's included

8 videos7 readings5 assignments

8 videosTotal 45 minutes

-S and -Ed Endings8 minutes
-S and -Ed Endings Practice5 minutes
Some Tricky Words6 minutes
Some Tricky Words Practice6 minutes
Common Linked Expressions6 minutes
Common Linked Expressions Practice5 minutes
Shadowing a Conversation3 minutes
Pronunciation Tips5 minutes

7 readingsTotal 19 minutes

-S and -Ed Endings1 minute
Supplemental Materials10 minutes
Tricky Words1 minute
Common Linked Expressions1 minute
Shadowing Directions2 minutes
Pronunciation Tips3 minutes
Learn More1 minute

5 assignmentsTotal 130 minutes

Graded Quiz30 minutes
-S and -Ed Endings Practice Quiz30 minutes
Tricky Words Practice Quiz30 minutes
Linked Expressions Quiz10 minutes
Assignment 430 minutes

Instructors

Tamy Chapman

University of California, Irvine

22 Courses1,652,883 learners

Offered by

University of California, Irvine

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Frequently asked questions

You will need a computer, smart phone, or other recording device to record your voice in .mp3 format for graded assignments.

This course focuses specifically on American English pronunciation, covering consonant and vowel sounds, word stress, intonation, and natural speech rhythm to help you speak clearly and improve your English speaking skills.

This course is designed for English language learners with a foundational understanding of English who wish to refine their spoken American English and enhance their communication skills.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. 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.