Introduction
In this article, I want to explain why most people don’t reach their goal of getting good pronunciation.
The reasons I give are not just for pronunciation. Getting good at grammar or spelling, public speaking, or writing requires regular practice.
If you want to become proficient at playing guitar or piano. Or learning to play tennis or golf well, even driving a car, you need to practice. Regularly!
So, let's get back to pronunciation.
Many people learning a new language want to sound right when they speak. But many struggle to get it right. One major reason is they don't practice enough.
Or worse, they give up. They fail to reach their goal of getting great pronunciation.
How to get better pronunciation in English
Regular practice is important
I'll explain why regular practice is so important.
And I'll share some easy ways to make sure you keep at it, so that failure is not an option .
Getting good at pronouncing words in a new language is like running a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and effort, and making sure you stick with it.
But sometimes, even when we know this, we can still have trouble staying on track.
Starting out is great, but...
At first, we are enthusiastic. We start off strong, doing pronunciation exercises every day. But as time goes on, other things get in the way.
There is other stuff to do.
There are distractions, or feelings of frustration.
We believe that nothing is working.
We're not getting better at pronunciation.
Then, we don't practice as much, or worse, even stop practicing altogether.
It won't happen overnight
There's one thing to understand: getting better at pronunciation doesn't happen overnight. It's a slow process that needs regular practice over a long time. So, sticking to a routine is really important.
One good way to make sure you practice pronunciation every day is to set aside a specific time for it.
Make time for practice
Adding a time for practicing to your daily schedule makes it feel like something you have to do. When you think like that, you're less likely to forget or skip it.
You can pick a time that works for you, like in the morning or after dinner, and make it a habit: something you do every day.
Using things like calendars can also help. Mark off each day you practice. You will see how far you've come and reminds you of your commitment. This makes it easier to stay focused and keep up with your practice.
Technology can be useful too. Set the alarm on your phone to help you remember your practice sessions.
Practice a little, but often
Set goals, like practicing for a certain amount of time. 30 minutes is a good amount of time.
Or focusing on a few words (5 - 10 say) each time, gives your practice structure and direction.
Mix it up
Doing different exercises each day keeps things interesting and helps you learn more. Doing the same thing over and over can get boring. So, mixing it up with different activities keeps you engaged and helps you improve faster.
Progress checks
Check your progress on a regular basis. By seeing how well you're doing and which words you're getting right, you can identify what you need to work on. This helps you adjust your practice and get better over time.
Time out
Taking breaks is important too. Plan a day or several days off from practicing to give you time to relax and recharge. It stops you from getting tired out and helps you stay motivated for the next session.
Celebrate, congratulate yourself
Don't forget to celebrate your achievements! Even small wins are worth celebrating. Recognise your progress and give yourself a pat on the back to keep you motivated to keep going.
Conclusion
In this article, I've explained why people give up before they have reached their goal. In this case, it's giving up on pronunciation practice.
I have pointed out that getting good at pronunciation takes time and effort to practice.
These were the main points of my advice:
stick to a routine
use tools like calendars and alarms to remind you to practice
vary your pronunciation practice exercises
check your progress
take scheduled breaks
make sure you celebrate your wins -even the small ones.
I hope this article has helped you how to get better pronunciation in English with regular practice.
Remember, it takes dedication and perseverance to get great pronunciation.
But you'll turn your goal of sounding great in English (or any other language you're learning) into reality.
If you need a reminder, go here to learn why improving your pronunciation is important.
And for a list of 30 commonly mispronounced words in English, click here.
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The freebie above is a way to 'test the waters' - to see if the Pronunciation Exercise I offer you actually works.
And if you read the sequence of emails I sent to you, I'd end up suggesting that you buy My E-book. Here's the cover.
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It provides 11 exercises you can learn to practice with the Method.
Moreover, because the Method teaches you how to LEARN correct pronunciation, my E-book provides the means to PRACTICE correct pronunciation.
A different way to get better pronunciation
Learning to read and write phonetics is another way to get better pronunciation. English words are 'translated' into phonetic sounds - phonemes - to help you pronounce those words correctly.
The free lesson that I offer here will get you started on phonemes.
To get it you need to subscribe. Complete the form after you click the button below.
© Apex English Tutoring - May 2024 - Updated August 2024
About Me
My name is Michael Finemore, and I am the Owner-Operator of Apex English Tutoring.
As an English Teacher with about 20 years experience, I love doing what I do - helping people get better English with methods to practice that I totally believe work.
They'll work for you too.
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