Author: Amy Estrada (Page 4 of 28)

Video | Reduction of BE

March 25, 2018 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Hi! This is Amy with Go Places English and today I want to talk about the pronunciation and reduction of BE in American English.

There are many words that begin with the sound BE that are commonly reduced in American English. We tend to reduce the BE when the BE sound is the first syllable of the word, and the stress falls on the second syllable. Let’s look at an example.

BEFORE. Notice how the BE sound is reduced to B’. BEFORE. B’ B’ B’ BEFORE

Also notice the stress is on the second syllable. B’FORE. B’FORE.

Let’s look at some commonly reduced BE words and practice.

Behind, Behind

Below, Below

Begin, Begin

Between, Between

Benign, Benign

Believe, Believe

Because, Because

Beguile, Beguile

Bereave, Bereave

Befriend, Befriend

Nice work.

You can instantly improve your English and sound more like a native speaker by practicing and reducing BE words correctly.

When you master American English pronunciation, you can speak with confidence knowing that your pronunciation is accurate and listeners will understand you.

If this lesson was helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe to Go Places English.

Where will English take you?

Video | ESTH

March 11, 2018 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Hi!

This is Amy with Go Places English and today I want to talk about the pronunciation of the sound combination ESTH in American English.

These are difficult sounds to pronounce together.

I think the best way to approach this sound combination is with some examples. Let’s look at the word Esthetician. ESTH, esthetician; ESTH, esthetician; ESTH, esthetician. The challenge of this sound combination is the ES sound followed immediately by the TH sound. ESTH, esthetician.

Let’s practice together.

Esthetician

Let’s look at more words.

Aesthetics

Let’s try another word.

Anesthetic

Good job.

You can instantly improve your English and sound more like a native speaker by practicing and saying the sound combination ESTH correctly.

When you master American English pronunciation, you can speak with confidence knowing that your pronunciation is accurate and listeners will understand you.

If this lesson was helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe to Go Places English.

Where will English take you?

Thanks!

Video | Sugar & Sure

March 10, 2018 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Hi!

This is Amy with Go Places English and today I want to talk about the pronunciation of the words SUGAR and SURE in American English.

These two words can be deceiving, because the letters SU in these words are pronounced SH. Many students mispronounce these words. So I want to spend some time practicing with you today. Don’t worry, there are only a few words like this, and SUGAR and SURE are the most common. So you really only need to remember two.

The /sh/ sound is made by putting the teeth together and puckering your lips like you would for a kiss. The middle of the tongue comes up only slightly and barely touches the corners of the top teeth without touching the roof of the mouth.

In the case of the word SUGAR, we emphasize the first syllable. Practice with me. SUgar, SUgar, SUgar, SUgar, SUgar, SUgar.

Let’s practice the word SUGAR in some sentences. Repeat after me.

Do you take cream or sugar in your coffee?

Sugar is believed to cause tooth decay.

Until recently, sugarcane was grown in Hawaii.

Nice work. Now let’s talk about the word SURE.

The word SURE is one syllable. Practice with me. Sure, Sure, Sure, Sure, Sure, Sure

Let’s practice the word SURE in some sentences. Repeat after me.

Are you sure you want to go?

She sure is a good student.

I’m not sure if this is right.

Good job.

You can instantly improve your English and sound more like a native speaker by practicing and saying Sugar & Sure correctly.

When you master American English pronunciation, you can speak with confidence knowing that your pronunciation is accurate and listeners will understand you.

If this lesson was helpful, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe to Go Places English.

Where will English take you?

Thanks!

Home Is Where The Heart Is

March 5, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Home is where the heart is.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

That’s right, I want you to find the answer. Because remember, my job as your teacher is to guide you to the answer. If I just gave you the answer without asking you to do the work, I’d be robbing you of your learning opportunity. No pain, no gain!

One Man’s Trash Is Another Man’s Treasure

March 4, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

All Is Fair In Love And War

March 3, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

All is fair in love and war.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

Familiarity Breeds Contempt

March 2, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

Nothing Is Certain But Death And Taxes

March 1, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Nothing is certain but death and taxes.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

First Come, First Served

February 28, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 1 Comment

First come, first served.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

February 27, 2017 / Amy Estrada / 0 Comments

Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Without googling or checking reference resources, what do you think this proverb means?

By guessing you are priming your brain for learning, which will help you remember the meaning more easily. It doesn’t matter if your guess is wrong, the key is to exercise your brain by guessing.

Write your guess in the comments below. After you post your guess, go ahead and look it up.

Follow Me