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First impression
Pronunciation is definitely the biggest thing that people notice when you are speaking English.
Communication
Good pronunciation should be one of the first things that you learn in English. You can use simple words and simple grammar structure to say what you want to say. But there is no such thing as "simple pronunciation". If you don't have good pronunciation, you have bad pronunciation. The results of bad pronunciation are tragic. Even if you use great vocabulary and grammar, people may simply not understand what you want to say.
Can you communicate in English?
Almost all English learners say "I don't need to study pronunciation. I just want to communicate in English.” The true test: Go to America or Britain and try to talk to "normal people" — a clerk at a supermarket, a bus driver, etc. If they can understand you, then you can say that you can communicate in English.
Communication is not enough
If you can communicate in English with people from other countries, congratulations! It's a big achievement. But it may not be enough. If your English is understandable, still nobody will say that you speak good English if you have a strong foreign accent. But there is more. If you have a pleasant accent, people will simply enjoy talking to you. Many learners ignore pronunciation. They can communicate in class, so they think that they are good enough. The good news is that you can work on your pronunciation until you speak "understandable and pleasant English” (good pronunciation). For example, you can learn the sounds of English, listen to recordings, watch English-language television, etc.
What is good English pronunciation?
There are three levels of English pronunciation:
Why not?
Can you communicate in English?
Almost all English learners say "I don't need to study pronunciation. I just want to communicate in English.” The true test: Go to America or Britain and try to talk to "normal people" — a clerk at a supermarket, a bus driver, etc. If they can understand you, then you can say that you can communicate in English.
Communication is not enough
If you can communicate in English with people from other countries, congratulations! It's a big achievement. But it may not be enough. If your English is understandable, still nobody will say that you speak good English if you have a strong foreign accent. But there is more. If you have a pleasant accent, people will simply enjoy talking to you. Many learners ignore pronunciation. They can communicate in class, so they think that they are good enough. The good news is that you can work on your pronunciation until you speak "understandable and pleasant English” (good pronunciation). For example, you can learn the sounds of English, listen to recordings, watch English-language television, etc.
What is good English pronunciation?
There are three levels of English pronunciation:
- Level 1: People often don't understand what you want to say. You use the wrong sounds in English words.
- Level 2: People understand what you want to say, but it is unpleasant to listen to you.
- Level 3: People understand you, and your English is pleasant to listen to.
Why not?
Because there are many regional kinds of English. In England, people from Newcastle speak English differently from people in London. So it is no problem if you have your own accent.
But your accent must be close to the standards (American and British English). What does it mean? Turn on your TV and watch channels like CNN International, NBC, EuroNews, BBC. You will hear many different people (news anchors, reporters, etc.) They all have good accents — easy to understand and pleasant.
The rule is
But your accent must be close to the standards (American and British English). What does it mean? Turn on your TV and watch channels like CNN International, NBC, EuroNews, BBC. You will hear many different people (news anchors, reporters, etc.) They all have good accents — easy to understand and pleasant.
The rule is
If you are close to the standard, you can always communicate, and your English will be pleasant. If you are far from the standard, sometimes you won't communicate successfully.
Notes...
Notes...
Our pronunciation is part of our image — how we present ourselves to the world.
When we talk with other people in English, we present ourselves to them through our pronunciation.
Sometimes a person can be a very pleasant companion because of their good pronunciation.
Speak English with more confidence.
Be understood by others.
Content Credit: Mrs. Ririn Sotyarini, STBA LIA Yogyakarta
Credit image: Tagxedo.com
When we talk with other people in English, we present ourselves to them through our pronunciation.
Sometimes a person can be a very pleasant companion because of their good pronunciation.
Speak English with more confidence.
Be understood by others.
Content Credit: Mrs. Ririn Sotyarini, STBA LIA Yogyakarta
Credit image: Tagxedo.com
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