How you can improve your pronunciation in English

A common question I get asked is, “How can I improve my pronunciation?” This will be one of many posts addressing common questions from ESL students.

Improving English pronunciation as an ESL learner can feel challenging, but with consistent practice and the right strategies, you can make great progress. English pronunciation can be tricky due to its irregular spelling, unique sounds, and stress patterns, but don’t worry—here are some practical, easy-to-follow tips to help you sound clearer and more confident. I’ll also touch on common issues and how to tackle them.

Why pronunciation can be tough

Overall, English can be completely different from other languages in that we have unfamiliar sounds, different stresses and intonation, different spellings and pronunciations, connected speech, and also, different accents and dialects. These accents and dialects can vary in the same country. Here’s a little more on these differences.

Common pronunciation challenges for ESL learners

Unfamiliar sounds

English has sounds like the “th” in “think” or the short “i” in “sit” that may not exist in your native language.

Examples

• “Th” sounds (/θ/ as in “think,” /ð/ as in “this”): Speakers of languages like French, German, or many Asian languages may substitute “t,” “d,” or “s” (e.g., saying “tink” for “think”).
• Short vs. long vowels: Distinguishing “ship” vs. “sheep” or “bit” vs. “beat” is tough for speakers of languages with fewer vowel distinctions, like Spanish or Japanese.
• “R” and “L” confusion: Common for speakers of Japanese, Korean, or Chinese, who might say “rice” as “lice” or vice versa. Remember “R” makes the “err” sound, and “L” makes the “ul” sound.

English has complex consonant combinations that don’t exist in many languages. Words like “strengths” or “texts” are hard for speakers of languages like Japanese or Thai, who may insert vowels (e.g., “text” becomes “tekist”).

Stress and intonation

English relies heavily on word stress (e.g., RE-cord vs. re-CORD) and sentence rhythm, which can feel unnatural if your language doesn’t use them. Other languages like French or Hindi often have more even stress, so learners may struggle to emphasize one syllable, making speech sound flat or robotic.

In addition, English uses pitch and rhythm to convey meaning, which can be unfamiliar. Rising intonation for questions (e.g., “Are you coming?”) may be absent in languages like Russian or Arabic, leading to monotone speech.

Sentence stress (emphasizing key words like “I LOVE coffee” vs. “I love COFFEE”) is tricky for speakers of syllable-timed languages like French or Hindi.

Spelling vs. pronunciation

English spelling is inconsistent, and words with similar spellings can sound different. Words like “through,” “though,” and “tough” sound different despite similar spellings. Then there are silent letters (e.g., “k” in “knight” or “b” in “doubt”) that confuse learners who expect to pronounce every letter.

Connected speech

Native speakers blend words together (e.g., “going to” becomes “gonna”), which can be hard to mimic or understand. Linking sounds, like saying “go out” as “go-wout,” is challenging for speakers of languages with clear word boundaries, like Spanish or Mandarin.

Accents and dialects

English has many accents (American, British, Australian, etc.), and choosing one to focus on can be confusing and overwhelming.

The American “r” sound (stronger, rolled) vs. British “r” (softer or dropped) confuses learners aiming for consistency. Plus, regional variations, like “schedule” (SKED-jul in American English, SHED-yool in British), can make it hard to pick a standard. To make it even more confusing, regional dialects exist within the same countries.

Tips to improve your pronunciation

1. Listen and imitate native speakers
   • Hearing how words are pronounced in context builds your ear for English sounds and rhythm.
   • Watch English movies, TV shows, or YouTube videos with subtitles. Pause and repeat short phrases, mimicking the speaker’s tone, stress, and rhythm.
   • Choose one accent, such as American or British, to focus on initially to avoid confusion.
2. Learn the English sound system
   • Understanding the specific sounds (vowels, consonants, diphthongs) of English helps you produce them correctly.
   • Use resources like pronunciation charts. Focus on tricky sounds like:
     • “Th” sounds (/θ/ as in “think,” /ð/ as in “this”): Practice tongue placement between teeth.
     • Short vs. long vowels (e.g., “ship” vs. “sheep”): Listen and repeat minimal pairs.
   • Record yourself saying these sounds and compare them to native speakers.
   • Resources
     • American IPA Chart — Click here for a physical chart at Amazon
     • International Phonetic Alphabet Chart
     • British Council Phonemic Chart
3. Practice word stress and sentence rhythm
   • Stressing the right syllable in a word or part of a sentence makes it easier to understand.
   • Clap or tap when practicing words to feel the stressed syllable (e.g., PHO-to-graph, pho-TOG-raph-er). Listen to how native speakers emphasize certain words in sentences (e.g., “I LOVE to read” vs. “I love to READ”). Here’s a YouTube video demonstrating this.
   • Practice with tongue twisters like “She sells seashells” to master rhythm and stress.
4. Slow down and focus on clarity (so people can understand you better)
   • Speaking slowly gives you time to form sounds correctly and helps listeners understand you better.
   • Practice saying sentences slowly, exaggerating each sound. For example, say “I’m going to the store” clearly before speeding up. Over time, your muscle memory will improve.
   • Don’t worry about sounding “perfect.” Clarity is more important than a native-like accent. People need to be able to understand you first.
5. Practice speaking with others
   • Real conversations force you to think on your feet and adapt your pronunciation.
   • Read aloud to a friend or tutor and ask for feedback.
   • Don’t be shy about mistakes—native speakers appreciate effort and will often help you improve.
6. Learn common reductions and linking
   • Understanding how native speakers connect words makes your speech sound natural.
   • Practice reductions like “wanna” (want to), “gonna” (going to), or “whatcha” (what are you). Work on linking words, like saying “go out” as “go-wout.”
   • Listen to casual conversations in general podcasts or podcasts geared toward English learning.

Overcoming common issues

• Mixing up similar sounds: If you struggle with sounds like “r” vs. “l” or “b” vs. “v,” practice minimal pairs (e.g., “rice” vs. “lice,” “berry” vs. “very”) repeatedly.
• Monotone speech: If your speech sounds flat, exaggerate pitch changes when practicing sentences. Watch how native speakers raise and lower their voice for questions or emphasis.
• Fear of mistakes: Build confidence by practicing alone first, then gradually speaking with others. Mistakes are part of learning!
• Inconsistent practice: Set aside 10–15 minutes daily for pronunciation practice, like repeating after a video or reading aloud.
• If you’re asking why your English isn’t getting better, see this article.

Concluding thoughts…

Improving pronunciation takes time, but small, consistent efforts make a big difference. Start by focusing on one or two problem sounds or patterns, and gradually add more. Celebrate small wins, like when someone understands you more easily.