University of California, Irvine
Tricky American English Pronunciation
University of California, Irvine

Tricky American English Pronunciation

Tamy Chapman
Marla Yoshida
Brad Gilpin

Instructors: Tamy Chapman

Access provided by SGCSRC

257,023 already enrolled

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(2,332 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
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.7

(2,332 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

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.

Details to know

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Assessments

16 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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There are 5 modules in this course

Welcome to this course on American English Pronunciation! In this introductory module, you'll get an overview of what we'll cover: mastering tricky consonant and vowel sounds, and understanding the rhythm of intonation and word stress. Our goal is to help you improve your pronunciation, making your spoken English clearer and easier for others to understand. Get ready to build confidence in your English communication skills!

What's included

2 videos1 peer review

In this module, you'll dive into the consonant sounds of American English. We'll start with a quick quiz to pinpoint your most challenging sounds. Then, you'll practice confusing sound pairs, learning tricks to differentiate them and understanding the precise mouth movements required. This foundational practice is key to building clear and confident English pronunciation. Get ready to master those tricky consonants!

What's included

9 videos8 readings4 assignments1 peer review

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 videos7 readings4 assignments1 peer review

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 videos8 readings4 assignments1 peer review

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 videos8 readings4 assignments1 peer review

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.8 (590 ratings)
Tamy Chapman
University of California, Irvine
22 Courses1,598,221 learners
Marla Yoshida
11 Courses381,158 learners

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4.7

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