Hello. My name is Duncan Brown and I am an English Facilitator, here are some of my thoughts about learning the English language.
‘ow now brown cow?
Pronunciation is one part of the English language that Japanese students want to do perfectly. As I have written before, there are many English dialects and none of them are wrong, only different. I mischievously thought of teaching Japanese children in a broad Yorkshire accent but I didn’t for the sake of their future.
English English
Standard British English known as Received Pronunciation (RP), is what we practice, and both American and British word variants are demonstrated for understanding. It probably is my bias, but I think RP is easier for Japanese people to understand than Standard American English. Its clipped and hard consonants are distinct; Did that American say “rider” or “writer”?
Unlearning is difficult
It’s far from easy though, most people think L and R sounds are difficult for Japanese people but I disagree. The sound isn’t difficult to reproduce as it is an extension of ら、り、る、れ、ろ, either a fuller tongue at the tooth-ridge or no tongue. However, re-learning how to pronounce a word with L or R correctly after 10+ years of usage is the difficult part.
I believe some of the vowel sounds are nearly indiscernible from each other; it seems impossible for a Japanese to hear or say them. My favourite example is the loaned word, バス, is it bath or bus? Context is important: “I’ll take a バス tonight?” which word is being said? There are two different vowel and consonant sounds but most Japanese have often only practised one in English.
Listen carefully and repeat
Being from the northeast of England, vowel sounds are my weakness to demonstrate with RP. My original accent had fewer and rounder vowel sounds compared to RP, so much so that it was a problem relocating to an island to the northwest of England. The locals found it difficult to understand me so I practised changing my accent. I listened and repeated dialogue from TV shows to help.
Searching for your keyword
From that time, I learned there are keywords to find to master the different English sounds. Unfortunately, it’s not the same for everyone and, replacing an incorrect pronunciation takes careful thinking and delivery. Sometimes, it’s not even a word just a sound to get the correct mouth shape: yah, yee, you, yeh, yoh or sah, see, sue, seh, soh.
In lessons, my students and I find their challenging English sounds. We practice with useful, contrasting words to both hear and produce the correct sound. During these sessions, there are eureka moments of perfect pronunciation and these words become the student’s keywords to refer to.
Unlock English pronunciation
How now brown cow? Let’s say “cow” is your keyword: Now use it, “cow” how, “cow” now, “cow” brown, “cow” town, “cow”, down. Excellent! “Cow” is your keyword for the English pronunciation of /ɑʊ/ (ow).
This is one way to support English pronunciation practice, we also recommend listening and copying English speakers (shadowing), using mirrors and videos, speaking slowly, emphasising the target sound, and of course, regular exercise at the mouth gym.
First of all, we need to find your keyword to improve your English pronunciation.
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興味に合った教材や方法を用いたテイラーメイドの英語コミュニケーションプログラムです。
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