Pronunciation Practice
This is a curated list of helpful English pronunciation resources to help you in speaking academic English.
Websites
- Eenglish – An interactive platform for enhancing English skills, with a section focused on pronunciation and speaking. It also features an idiom section with creative visuals and exercises for memorable learning.
- English Accent Coach – An interactive tool for English pronunciation practice (consonants and vowels). It uses the International Phonetic Alphabet to help learners hear the difference between difficult English sounds. This type of practice will help learners to develop their ability to pronounce these difficult sounds as well. This tool can help learners to improve their pronunciation, promote faster vocabulary learning, and enhance listening comprehension.
- Fun Easy English – This site offers engaging lessons on mastering American English pronunciation, with detailed explanations, videos, and activities to improve clarity and fluency.
- Pronuncia – An AI-based tool providing free English pronunciation evaluations. It analyzes spoken English and offers detailed feedback on pronunciation accuracy.
- YouGlish – This website provides various authentic examples of expressions and vocabulary, taken from Ted Talk, documentaries, speeches, etc. Learners can use the search bar to search for videos that will highlight difficult sounds, target vocabulary and phrases, tongue twisters, etc. Highly useful for finding useful instructional examples quickly.
Apps
- ESLA Speak – An AI-powered app that gives real-time feedback on pronunciation, helping learners refine their sounds and words with visual cues and a scoring system.
- FORVO – This app allows users to hear words pronounced by native speakers from around the world, offering exposure to different English accents and dialects.
- SpeechFlipbook – A customizable app for speech therapy and pronunciation practice. Users can create word lists by combining sounds, syllables, and word structures for targeted articulation and fluency improvement.
- Speechling – A speech coaching app that provides one-on-one feedback from native speakers. It includes exercises to improve pronunciation, fluency, and confidence in speaking.
IPA Resources
- Seeing Speech – An interactive resource featuring IPA charts and visual demonstrations of speech sounds using MRI scans and ultrasound imagery. Videos and animations highlight articulatory movements for a deeper understanding of phonetics.
- Sounds American – The website has an interactive IPA chart containing every sound in general American English. This site also provides animations and step-by-step instructions to help learners articulate difficult sounds.
- Text2Phonics – This tool converts English text into International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcriptions, making it easier for learners to understand and practice pronunciation.
Youtube Channels
- Accent’s Way of English with Hader – This channel is for second language learners to learn more about English pronunciation, this time taught be a successful English language learner. This channel focuses on not only pronunciation but also speech fluency by sharing how to learn pronunciation with less stress and a positive mindset.
- All Ears English – This channel is for learning North American English. It is available through YouTube and podcasts. You can learn not only the pronunciation of English words that may be confusing to you as a second language learner, but also English idiomatic expressions derived from their cultural background, cultural differences between different English-speaking countries, and differences in English usage.
- Billie English – A channel run by a Spanish-English teacher for second language English learners to learn more about English pronunciation. The videos provide minimal pairs (or pairs of difficult sounds) and visual aids to help learners understand which sounds to focus on and how to produce them.
- Learn English with TV Series – This channel uses TV series, movies, and music to help focus on difficult areas of English speaking, including types of connected speech used by native English speakers (adding sounds, deleting sounds, flowing from one word to the next).
- Rachel’s English – This YouTube channel specializes in English pronunciation with detailed lessons on mouth positioning, stress patterns, and intonation. It’s especially useful for visual learners.
- Sounds American – This channel has a collection of self-study English pronunciation videos focused on vowel and consonant sounds, as well as contrasting sounds.
Podcast
- Pronunciation Pro Podcast – A podcast dedicated to improving American English pronunciation with tips and exercises for clearer speech and better intonation.
Fluency Practice
This is a curated list of helpful English fluency resources to help you in speaking academic English.
Websites
- Breaking News English – This site offers news articles at various levels with accompanying listening exercises and speaking prompts. Learners can practice reading aloud, repeating after audio recordings, and discussing current events to improve fluency.
- Ello – A library of audio and video lessons aimed at improving listening skills. The site features speakers from around the globe, exposing learners to diverse accents and real-world English.
- English Central – A video-based learning platform designed to improve listening, speaking, and pronunciation. Real-world videos with interactive captions and speech recognition tools make it engaging and effective.
- ESL Fast – A resource offering free dialogue practice, conversation starters, and listening exercises. It includes short and long dialogues that learners can mimic to develop natural speech patterns.
- ESL Bits – Features audiobooks, short stories, and news articles read by native speakers. Learners can listen and practice mirroring pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.
- Tandem – A language exchange app that connects learners with native speakers for conversation practice. It supports both text and voice chat for personalized speaking improvement.
Youtube Channels
- English Addict with Mr. Duncan – A YouTube channel offering live lessons on pronunciation, intonation, and fluency through interactive storytelling and engaging activities.
- Speak English with Vanessa – This YouTube channel provides practical speaking tips, pronunciation exercises, and real-life conversations, perfect for intermediate and advanced learners.
Podcast
- Voice of America (VOA) Learning English – A podcast series designed for non-native speakers, featuring slower-paced conversations and clear articulation. It’s ideal for practicing listening and speaking skills.
Campus Resources
- English Language Institute – English classes for UH Manoa students
- Hawaii English Language Program – Intensive English courses
- Second Language Studies – Department that studies the learning, teaching, analysis, and use of multiple languages
- Writing Center – English department center that assists UH students with their writing
- One Button Studio – The One Button Studio (OBS) is a simplified video recording system designed to be easy to use without any prior knowledge of video production. You can come to the studio to mock present and record yourself to practice for upcoming presentations. The Studio is located in Moore Hall. You can reserve easily through the CLT website.
- VR Lab – The VR lab lab offers virtual reality software to help you practice public speaking in a simulated audience setting. The system provides feedback on aspects like gestures, filler words, and pacing.
- Online Learning Academy Writing Services – provides one-on-one English, Math, and Science tutoring
- Center for Communicating Scientific Information – on campus resource for extensive presentation practice and coaching
Upcoming Workshops
Upcoming workshops hosted by CASE tutors will be listed here.