Category: Videos (Page 5 of 6)

Today I want to talk about the cadence of the common phrase “How’s it going?” in American English.

Cadence is the rhythm and pitch of spoken English. We stress certain words and syllables, and reduce and link others. In my opinion, the best way to learn cadence is by listening and practicing over and over, until it comes naturally to you.

This may feel tedious, but like a song, you will begin to learn the melody and speak English more fluently and naturally.

So listen and practice these phrases aloud. Notice the reduction and linking, and how the words and sounds blend together.

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

Notice the linking. How’s it, How’s it

And the reduction of going. goin’ goin’

Keep practicing! Cadence is learned through lots of repetition.

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

How’s it going?

When you master the cadence of American English you can speak with confidence and your listening skills will improve significantly.

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Today I want to talk about the word HEADQUARTERS.

First, let’s practice the pronunciation of this word: HEADQUARTERS. HEADQUARTERS.

Notice the S is pronounced Z.

It’s a three syllable word. Head-quar-ters

In American English we soften the T sound and pronounce it more like a D.

As a NOUN, this word is always written and said with a final S,

And it is used with a singular or plural verb.

For example:

The headquarters is located in Germany.

The headquarters are located throughout Germany.

In the first example, The headquarters is located in Germany, we are referring to a single headquarters and therefore we use a singular verb, IS.

In the second example, The headquarters are located throughout Germany, we are referring to multiple headquarters and therefore we use a plural verb, ARE.

Record yourself speaking some sentences with HEADQUARTERS then playback your recording to determine if you are pronouncing it correctly.

You may use the word HEADQUARTER without an S at the end, only if you are using it as a verb. Using the word HEADQUARTER as a verb is a less common, but it is correct.

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Today I want to talk about the pronunciation of AH & UH in American English.

Certain word pairs can be tricky to pronounce correctly. Many students confuse the pronunciation of these words. So I want to spend some time practicing with you today.

Let’s consider some examples.

The words body and buddy.

The word BODY has the AH sound. AH BODY BODY AH

The word BUDDY has the UH sound. UH BUDDY BUDDY UH

Let’s compare the vowel sound again.
AH body
UH buddy
AH UH AH UH

Boss
Bus

Hog
Hug

Wander
Wonder

You can instantly improve your English and sound more like a native speaker by practicing and speaking these word pairs correctly.

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

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I’ve noticed many of my students mispronounce words with the V consonant sound. This sound is formed by lightly pressing your front teeth on your lower lip. When you make the V sound correctly, you should feel a vibration in your lower lip.

Let’s practice some words that students struggle with. For best results, practice speaking these words aloud with me.

village

venture

voice

volume

vacation

avoid

volcano

video

You can instantly improve your English and sound more like a native speaker by practicing and speaking the V sound 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, give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and subscribe to Go Places English. Where will English take you? Thanks!

Today I want to talk about the reduction and linking of THAT in American English

That is often reduced when it is used to connect clauses. When we reduce THAT is sounds like that, that, that.

The pitch is slightly lower and instead of an A sound like apple, it is pronounced E like egg.

We link THAT to the word that follows.

Let’s practice some example sentences together.

She’s the one that I told you about. that I

I’m sad that you’re moving. that you’re

We think that it’s not a good idea. that it’s

You should know that we don’t agree. that we

Mastering the reduction and linking of common words like THAT will help you sound more like a native speaker, and it will instantly improve your listening skills.

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLYe3YXCXlw%20

Today I want to talk about the reduction and linking of TO The preposition to is often reduced to t’. t’. In most cases native speakers do not say TO except for emphasis.

Sometimes this reduction is difficult to perceive if you are a non-native English speaker. So I suggest you pay extra close attention to the speech patterns of native English speakers and notice the reduced and linked form of TO.

Let’s practice some example sentences. Speak these aloud with me.

Give this to her. t’her

If you need to buy milk we should go to the store. t’buy t’the

I wanted to see you Friday but I need to go to my brother’s birthday party. t’see t’go t’my

Also notice that TO in certain words like TODAY and TOGETHER is also reduced. Let’s practice saying those words. Repeat aloud with me.

Today
T’day

Together
T’gether

Mastering the reduction and linking of common words like TO will help you sound more like a native speaker, and it will instantly improve your listening skills.

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I want to talk about the pronunciation of BECAUSE in American English. I’ve noticed many students mispronounce the word because. This is a common and important word.

Because is a two syllable word. The first syllable is often reduced and sound like buh, b’cause.

The second syllable is cause. It rhymes with WAS.

Let’s practice some sentences. Say these sentences aloud with me.

Now record yourself saying these sentences and compare your pronunciation to mine. This will help you identify your mistakes as well as reinforce the words you are saying correctly.

I study every day because I want to improve. 

He was late because there was heavy traffic. 

The trip is canceled because of the rain. 

I like her because she’s smart. 

I want to buy a new car because mine is old.

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

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Hi, this is Amy with Go Places English, and today I want to talk about the pronunciation of “depends on” in American English.

The word depend, when used with an object, is followed by the preposition on or upon, as in depends on something or depends upon something.

Depends on is often linked in American English, and it sounds like depends on. Depends on.

The stressed syllable is the second syllable, pends, depends on.

Let’s practice some example sentences. Speak these sentences aloud with me. Pay attention to the grammar as well.

It depends on what time you want to meet.

That depends on where you live. 

It depends on several factors. 

It depends on how you like to travel. 

That depends on the kind of results you want. 

Pay attention to native speakers when they say depends on, and notice the reduction and linking.

You can instantly improve your English and sound more like a native speaker by practicing and linking depends on 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, give it a thumbs up and subscribe to Go Places English. Where will English take you? Thanks!

Hi! Today I want to talk about the reduction of FOR in American English.

The word FOR is often reduced and linked in American English and it sounds like fer.

Let’s look at some examples. Practice aloud with me.

These books are for the students.

What do you want for lunch?

This letter is for you.

She’s been a math teacher for 4 years.

Do you have plans for this weekend?

Pay attention to native speakers when they say FOR, and notice the reduction and linking. Mastering the reduction and linking of common words will help you sound more like a native speaker, and it will instantly improve your listening skills.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNPsvupKw_w%20

Hi! Today I want to talk about the pronunciation of the IH sound in American English.

This is a common vowel sound and you’ve encountered it in many words like it, with, big, and sit.

But is often mispronounced in words like women, and building. So let’s practice the correct pronunciation of some common IH sound words.

Say these words aloud with me.

build

building

guilt

kiss

milk

guitar

quilt

wish

quit

women

Now record yourself saying the IH words and compare your pronunciation to mine. This will help you identify your mistakes as well as reinforce the words you are saying correctly.

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

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

If this lesson was helpful, share it with your friends and subscribe to Go Places English. Where will English take you? Thanks!