Master the Sounds of American English

One of the most challenging aspects of learning English is mastering the phonetic sounds of the language. American English, in particular, has a unique set of sounds that can be difficult to discern for non-native speakers.

However, learning these sounds can be incredibly beneficial if you’re looking to improve your English pronunciation and American accent.

In this video, you will practice the phonetic sounds of American English with me.

(And if you’re a member of my Pronunciation Masterclasses, check the bonus section to download your virtual flashcards.)

1. /ɛ/ said / sɛd

2. /i/ people / pi-pəl

3. /ɪ/ gym / ʤɪm

4. /aɪ/ island / aɪ-lənd

5. /ɑ/ honest / ɑ-nəst

6. /oʊ/ no / noʊ

7. /ʊ/ could / kʊd

8. /ʌ/ cut / kʌt

9. /u/ suit / sut

10. /ɔɪ/ choice / ʧɔɪs

11. /aʊ/ about / ə-baʊt

12. /ə/ America / ə-mɛ-rə-kə

13. /æ/ laugh / læf

14. /eɪ/ they / ðeɪ

15. /ɜr/ early / ɜr-li

16. /ɛr/ air / ɛr

17. /ju/ cute / kjut

18. /p/ pizza / pit-sə

19. /b/ table / teɪ-bəl

20. /t/ talk / tɔk

21. /d/ idea / aɪ-di-ə

22. /k/ vacation / veɪ-keɪ-ʃən

23. /g/ yoga / joʊ-ɡə

24. /f/ office / ɔ-fəs

25. /v/ voice / vɔɪs

26. /θ/ (unvoiced TH) think / θɪŋk

27. /ð/ (voiced TH) this / ðɪs

28. /s/ ice / aɪs

29. /z/ eyes / aɪz

30. /ʃ/ special / spɛ-ʃəl

31. /ʒ/ decision / dɪ-sɪ-ʒən

32. /h/ whole / hoʊl

33. /m/ calm / kɑm

34. /n/ phone / foʊn

35. /ŋ/ bring / brɪŋ

36. /l/ (light L) love / lʌv

37. /ɫ/ (dark L) all / ɔɫ

38. /r/ write / raɪt

39. /w/ one / wʌn

40. /j/ YouTube / ju-tub

41. /ʤ/ educate / ɛ-ʤə-keɪt

42. /ʧ/ future / fju-ʧər

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