Pronunciation is Tough

Pronunciation is Tough

Could English pronunciation be one of the most difficult? I am currently learning Spanish and I love the fact that each word is written exactly as it’s pronounced. Which is why I feel sorry for my English students when they are struggling with pronunciation and also why I feel so proud of them when they finally master a word that they have been stuck on.

In just the ‘ough’ combination of letters alone, there are eleven different pronunciations. Wait...ELEVEN? How will you ever remember them? Associating the sounds with other sounds from words you already know is one way to do it. I want to show you eight of the most common sounds that ‘ough’ makes. Here are some examples of pronunciation groups to help you with your pronunciation:

/ʌf/ enough, rough, tough

Rhymes with - puff, stuff, fluff

/ɒf/ cough

Rhymes with - off

/aʊ/ drought, plough

Rhymes with - how, cow, now

/oʊ/ although, dough, though

Rhymes with - toe, no, so

/ɔː/ bought, brought, fought, ought, thought

Rhymes with - caught, sort, taught

/uː/ through

Rhymes with - true, blue, new

/ə/ borough, thorough (Pronounced /oʊ/ in American English)

Sounds like - doctor, colour, flavour

/əp/, /ʌp/ hiccough

Rhymes with - cup

To help you further you could make poems or try to incorporate one of these words into your conversation every day. If you like, write a short poem or paragraph below and I will correct it.
12 luglio 2018
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30 USD
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Aisling Yeoman

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30 USD
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Flag
Inglese
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Regno Unito
time
32
Parla:
Inglese
Madrelingua
,
Catalano
B2
,
Spagnolo
B2
,
Tedesco
A1
Hello everyone, I'm Aisling, a qualified and experienced teacher. I can help you to enjoy English classes and feel cool and confident while you practise speaking. Whatever level you are and needs that you have, don't worry, I will adapt the classes completely to your needs and we will have fun! I have 6 years' teaching experience. Currently I am living and teaching English in Barcelona and learning Spanish. I hold a Cambridge CELTA certificate for teaching English and a university degree. I enjoy creating fun and dynamic lessons. I am creative person who writes stories in my spare time, along with reading a wide variety of books, painting, making documentaries, volunteering, keeping fit and travelling. I'm open-minded, friendly and compassionate; and I work hard with students to achieve their goals. I'm always learning and always improving.
Flag
Inglese
globe
Regno Unito
time
32
Parla:
Inglese
Madrelingua
,
Catalano
B2
,
Spagnolo
B2
,
Tedesco
A1
Hello everyone, I'm Aisling, a qualified and experienced teacher. I can help you to enjoy English classes and feel cool and confident while you practise speaking. Whatever level you are and needs that you have, don't worry, I will adapt the classes completely to your needs and we will have fun! I have 6 years' teaching experience. Currently I am living and teaching English in Barcelona and learning Spanish. I hold a Cambridge CELTA certificate for teaching English and a university degree. I enjoy creating fun and dynamic lessons. I am creative person who writes stories in my spare time, along with reading a wide variety of books, painting, making documentaries, volunteering, keeping fit and travelling. I'm open-minded, friendly and compassionate; and I work hard with students to achieve their goals. I'm always learning and always improving.
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