I'm reposting this blog as per the request of a new member of MyEC. Enjoy, girl!
Hello, my dear friends!
Do you ever wish you were able to play a musical instrument? The truth is we all do,don’t we? (Hope I’m not bending the truth!) Unfortunately, there could be some justifiable grounds for your dream failed to materialize. Perhaps you don’t have the means to own, for example, a piano as it costs you an arm and a leg. If you are one of those disappointed souls, the following instruments are coming to you for absolutely free! This is the moment you've been waiting for all this while. Please don't think that this is a childish prank, my friend. I'm deadly serious!!I know what is crossing your mind right now! Believe me, I’m not .insane and theyare neither just images of musical instruments nor e-toys! They are ‘real’ and youcan use them straight away. The only difference is that they are ‘virtual’.and you use either your computer keyboard or mouse to operate them.
Well, what are you waiting for?Go on; give them a try! I’m sure you’ll have fun!
Lite Piano
How to use the Lite Piano:
Click the ‘question mark’ (?) on the top right-hand corner of the piano.
This will show you the characters.(letters, numbers and symbols) matched
withthe keys on your computer keyboard that correspond to the piano.
Press an associated key on your keyboard to make the sound of that note
on the piano.
For a start, try to play this series of musical notes: (Use your computer keys)
GHJG`GHJG`JKL` JKL` LQLKJ `G` LQLKJ `G `GSG GSG
Practise the song a few times. Can you guess the songfrom the tune?
Now, for a change, try playing the song with the 'choir' tone! How's it?
For more 'tones', click the option 'Full Version'. There are 4 different
tones under 'Sounds'. Learn the Song, Play and Resetfunctions too!
Player Piano
How to use the Player Piano:
Press the ‘Play’ button. A song will be played. This song is the default.
Press the ‘Songs’ button to pick .another song from the list of songs.
Press the ‘Play’buttonto listen to the song that you've just selected.
[You.can hide the play list by clicking the ‘songs’button again. This will enable
you to see the piano keys.]
The characters that you see on the top of the Player Piano are the musical
notesof the song that is currently being played.
Now,.delete the musical notes of the current song. Copy the musical notes
that I have given abovefor the Lite Pianoand pasteonto the Player Piano's
‘musical notes box’.
Press the ‘slower(+)’ button and set the ‘Interval’ to 375.
Press the ‘Play’ button. Ok! You sould able to guess the song this time.
Click the ‘question mark(?)’ to learnmore about 'Interval' and other things.
Here's another song for you to practise. (Set 'Interval' to 400 or 425)
I’m a Honeybee! I would like to nominate myself for the Mascot of EC. I have the following grounds for wanting to be considered for the post. Please peruse at your leisure!
1. A honeybee is part of a colony - a closely-knit family, like the EC community, to be precise! Our colony consists of a queen, drones and workers.
2. The colony wouldn’t have come into existence without our benevolent sovereign, the queen. The way I see it, you have your own caring sovereign, Mr Josef Essberger who created EC and living a life of selfless to a virtual community.
3. The might of our colony lies in our drones’ capable hands. Similarly, the rise of EC is left in the care of your lovely Administrator, obliging Moderators and friendly Teachers whose contributions are of immeasurable importance for its growth.
4. Our workers are akin to the learners of EC. Our workers have to work hard for their own good and the colony. In the same way, your learners of English have to work hard for their own betterment and the people around them as they will be serving the community they live in, after all.
5. There is, undeniably, a general perception that we are hostile towards others. I’m totally surprised by the vehemence of such view about us. People must understand that we don’t bother others unless we are bothered by them. In the circumstances, we are forced to use the ‘Stings’ for our sheer protection. I don’t see anything wrong with that! To my amazement, you have a small army of your own protectors called ‘Spambusters’. They are always ready to shield the club from unsuspecting dangers in the form of spammers.
6. We are always energetic and there would be no lack of enthusiasm when it comes to going far distances to achieve our goal, “collecting nectar”. My advice to EC members is that you must always willing to go to any extent to master the English Language. You’ll be surprised to see how far you could go if you are persistent in your quest.
7. It must be stressed that we owe the success of our colony to the untiring team work displayed by everybody at all times. I hope it is not too much to ask EC members to follow our footsteps and work together as a team for the mutual benefit of your club members.
8. It may seem to you that it is very easy for us to collect that much of honey that you all normally see in our honeycomb. Actually, we carry the nectar from the (ground) lower level where the flowers are to the top of the tree, a higher level where we usually build our beehive. It’s indeed a gradual progress! You can’t achieve anything in life just in the blink of an eye. That applies to your learning of English as well. You have to move from one level to another. It’s up to you to set the bar!
9. After all these teamwork, dedication, etc. we all share the honey as a reward. Similarly, one day you’ll be rewarded with something pleasantly sweet – the mastery of English. I hope EC members will always emulate our achievements. Good luck!
10. Oops, by the way, did you notice that the colours of my ‘suit’ match with the colours of EC logo? What an interesting coincidence!
Today is an exceptional day for the founder of My.EnglishClub.Com, the Administrator and all the Members of the club as MyEC crossed the 100,000 Members Milestone. I think it’s an honour and privilege for us to congratulate MyEC on this special occasion!
How lucky we are to have MyEC, a site that is dedicated to promoting lifelong learning – mastering English in particular! As we all know, it espouses the notion of equal opportunity for all in the language. The interesting thing is the club is opened twenty-four seven and available free of charge for beginners and advanced learners alike wherever they are! One can just pick the area that he has to improve and work on it. There are many Native Speakers, English Language Teachers and Advanced Learners who are perfectly willing to help us. I like the Be a Newscaster chapter of Audio Speaking Group, Voice Bloggers Group, Video Galleryand few other groups or activities that focus on pronunciation and spoken English. As a matter of fact, they act together as a virtual Language Laboratory! It helps us to learn English language by listening to audios, watching videos and recording ourselves. I’m sure you are as grateful as I am to this wonderful Club.
MyEC, your 100,000Members Milestone is an important occasion and it means a lot to us to be included. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and to bear witness to your passion was an unexpected perk. We never could have asked for a more dedicated site and words cannot express how grateful we are to have you here. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be part of the family. Congratulations on this exciting achievement! You are a great asset to this online community. We really value your contribution!
According to the old adage, one can pay back the loan of Gold. But one dies forever in debt to those who are Kind. It's indisputable that we owe you a great debt of gratitude for creating this phenomenal site. While this thank you is long overdue, it is still deeply, deeply heartfelt.
We vividly see how painstakingly you've worked with this website to its present elegance. We also witness your unselfish and noble actions on each and every radiant page. Thank you for providing such a warm, educational, fun platform for us the learners and teachers alike. Words cannot convey how grateful we are for your tremendous contribution. It's the gospel truth! We'll definitely reciprocate your kindness by telling our friends what a great site you're running. It's people like you who make a true difference in this world! Sir, once again we'd like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Keep up the good work!
You are not only the Administrator of the club, but also a friend and mentor to all the members. You always go above and beyond by helping us with our learning strategies and teaching approaches. We’d like to thank you most sincerely for taking the time to correct our mistakes and make sure we’re on track for the pursuit of excellence in English. The key to our success rests in people like you, who embody the spirit of greatness by saying, "Yes you can!"
You have such an exemplary and kind heart, and we cannot thank you enough for all you did (and continue to do) to help us with our English! Tara, you have no idea how much your support and guidance mean to us! It’s no exaggeration to say that you’re the life of the club. Thanks again for your inspiring dedication and tremendous example to us. God bless!
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Note: Click on the 'Square Button' found below the Hi-Fi System to stop the song before pressing the "Play Button" of the video at the bottom for a spectacular fireworks display! Watch it in full screen mode. I guarantee that you'll love it!
Today I'm going to recite a simple but powerful poem that has inspired millions of people during their time of despair since the late 1940’s! It’s called “Footprints in the Sand”. Mary Stevenson wrote it at a very young age in 1936. She was born in 1922. She lost her mother at age six. The burden of raising 8 children fell on her father. Most of her childhood was spent during one of America’s toughest and most trying times, The Great Depression! She was inspired to write “Footprints in the Sand” after many unpleasant things affected her young life. She shared handwritten copies of it with those whom she felt were in need of some words of comfort to gain strength during those difficult times. You could follow the link I’ve given to learn more about her! Thank You. Happy Listening!
Note: If you have a similar poem that had inspired you or could motivate others, why don't you share it here with the rest of us?! I would be very glad if you come up with a voice recording on top of the text. Thank you!
..........While I was browsing the Net earlier, I came across this gut-wrenching story about a young girl, Sahar Gul who was sold into marriage at a tender age of 12. The article tells us about the horrifying experience the defenceless girl went through in the hands of her in-laws! Besides being left to starve, to our utter shock, she was chained in a basement and beaten with red hot iron pipes. Guess what? The gruesome torture didn’t stop there! They pulled out all her fingernails when she refused to prostitute herself for them.
..........Read the rest of the storyHERE! Some of you may not able to open the page as it is blocked by a few countries. If at all you managed to open it, please don’t forget to sign the petition. Avaaz – meaning “Voice”, is an online activist network that tries to collect 1,000,000signatures to show that the world is against such barbaric act! I’ve done my part! What about you?
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..........For I cannot think that GOD Almighty ever made them [women] so delicate, so glorious creatures; and furnished them with such charms, so agreeable and so delightful to mankind; with souls capable of the same accomplishments with men: and all, to be only Stewards of our Houses, Cooks, and Slaves. ~ Daniel Defoe ~
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Song: One Woman
Average Faces of Women from 40 Countries
They are no different for me as fellow human beings!
Only those with a heart of stone would hurt these women!
This time I’ve chosen a list of100 Most Beautiful Words in the English Languagerecommended byMary, our fellow club member. I went through the list and found them very interesting. I learned a lot of new words, as a matter of fact! (Thank you, Mary!) I’ll make sure that they become part of my vocabulary, of course, with the help ofMMT. In my opinion, it would be a plus point if we know the pronunciation of these words. It’s because in order to enable us to use them effectively in our speech we must know their CORRECTpronunciations! Fortunately for me, I don’t face any problem with that as I could read phonetic spellings.
It gives me great pleasure to pronounce those words here! I’d like you to join in in the fun too. Simply say each word after me! I’ve given ample time for you to repeat a word before you hear the next word! Are you ready? Let’s do it!
Use this widget to record and play back your pronunciation of the above words.
Compare your pronunciation with mine. Have fun!
[The widget does not store or save your recording!]
Click HERE for "The Power of Phonetic Spellings - List 1"
Today (September 19, 2013) I read the poem ‘The Chaos’ by G. Nolst Trenite. This is a classic English poem containing about 800 of the worst irregularities in English spelling and pronunciation. It is said that if you can pronounce correctly every word in this poem, you will be speaking English better than 90% of the native English speakers in the world! Here’s my voice recording of the poem in two parts! You can click HERE to open the poem on a separate window if you want to follow my recitation with the text!
“It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.”
~John F. Kennedy~
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
~ Mother Teresa~
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” ~Jimi Hendrix~
“The real and lasting victories are those of peace, and not of war.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
~ * ~
ONE DAY
Sometimes I lay Under the moon And thank God I'm breathing Then I pray Don't take me soon 'Cause I am here for a reason
Sometimes in my tears I drown But I never let it get me down So when negativity surrounds I know some day it'll all turn around because...
All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more There will be no more wars And our children will play One day [x6]
It's not about Win or lose Because we all lose When they feed on the souls of the innocent Blood-drenched pavement Keep on moving though the waters stay raging
In this maze you can lose your way (your way) It might drive you crazy but don't let it faze you no way (no way)
Sometimes in my tears I drown (I drown) But I never let it get me down (get me down) So when negativity surrounds (surrounds) I know some day it'll all turn around because...
All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more There will be no more wars And our children will play One day [x6]
One day this all will change Treat people the same Stop with the violence Down with the hate
One day we'll all be free And proud to be Under the same sun Singing songs of freedom like One day [x2]
All my life I've been waiting for I've been praying for For the people to say That we don't wanna fight no more There will be no more wars And our children will play One day [x6]
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"A song by Matisyahu"
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My Dear Friends,
I ask your prayers for peace in Syria; for goodwill among nations; and for the well-being of all people. With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray. Let us show our compassion on our brothers and sisters in Syria who suffer from a lot of grief and trouble. I’d appreciate it if you could writeyourprayer,صلاة, oración,प्रार्थना, pananalangin, 祈祷, cầu nguyện, பிரார்த்தனை, doa, 祈り, молитва, การอธิษฐาน, תפלה, etc. in the comment box. Thank You!
The above screenshot is part of the article published on
We learned the difference between theindefinite articles, i.e ‘a’ and ‘an’ and thecorrect usage of them when we were still in elementary school. Here’s a little testfor you! What indefinite article do you use when you name each ofthe26lettersof thealphabet?
Type your answers in full sentences in the comment box.
[You could also add your voice recording later if you want to!]
Did you know?
The indefinite articles ‘a’ and ‘an’ mean the same thing, i.e. ‘one’.
Example: a mango = one mango
..an apple = one apple
Since both articles denote one noun, why do we need two different articles to do the same job instead of only one? Have you ever asked yourself this question? Do you know the answer? Could someone tell us what it is?
PS. I have changed my blog setting to ‘wait for my approval’ mode! This will prevent one from looking at the answers that are already posted by the previous participants. Sorry for the inconvenience, guys!
It’s nice to talk to you all once again. I’ve a question for you this time! Are you one of those EC members who would go to any extent to improve his/her pronunciation?
Well!I published a blog about spelling bee a week ago. I gave 26difficultpronunciations. To my pleasant surprise, the girls (Noaslpls, Yupa, Hala, Galina andAnty) found all the 26 related written words with ease.
Now I would like to invite you to pronounce the words they found. All you have to do is simply record your voice and share with your club fellow members. You can listen to my own voice recording or the online Oxford Dictionary if you are not sure of the pronunciations. I think this is a window opportunity.
Start recording your voice today!Dare to be different!!
Meaning : a) noun - .a .movement performed with care and skill
..b) noun - .a clever plan, action or movement that is used
.to give somebody the advantage
.c) verb - to move or turn something skillfully and carefully
d) verb -..to control or influence a situation in a skillful but
..sometimes dishonest way
Hi, friends!
I’m sure you would have heard about “Spelling Bee”, a competition in which people have to spell the word after listening to its pronunciation and definition. This is an improvised version of the game that I created especially for those who seriously want to improve their pronunciation.
Okay! First, read the twenty-six phonetic transcriptions and catch what the pronunciations are!
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Your Task:
1. Choose one of the pronunciations whose spelling is known to you.
2. Post the correct word along with its pronunciation and meaning.
3. Wait for another person to post his answer before you go for the next word.
It’s as simple as that! Have fun!
Click HERE for the online Oxford Dictionary if your hard copy provides no
Phonetic Transcriptions.
You can use this voice recorder to practise the above pronunciations.
Simply record your voice and play back the recording.
The below list of pronunciation spellings is merely a continuation of the one on my blog "Fun with Phonetic Symbols - #1". Since the maximum characters for the aforementioned blog is used up, I'm forced to open this additional page. To those who are participating enthusiastically in the fun, please refer to the following list as well, in addition to the one on the principal blog! Thank you!Happy learning, guys!
Obviously, the sounds that make up the spoken words are indispensable from the other aspects of the English language or, more precisely, when it comes to improving one’s pronunciation. Thus, I’ve created the following game that will test how well you understand the relationship between written words and spoken words. Hope you’ll like it!
Okay! First, look at the below word and it's phonetic transcription!
encyclopedia
/ɪnˌsaɪkləˈpi:diə/
Now, I want you to form the pronunciations(phonetic transcriptions) of other words using the phonemes (speech sounds) that occur in the pronunciation of the word ‘encyclopedia’.
Here are the guidelines and rules:
1. Form .a set of 5phonetic transcriptions at a time and post them.
2. Wait for another person to post his set before you post your next set.
3. Each .pronunciation .(phonetic transcription) .must.have the written
word as well.
4. You must use only those .phonetic symbols that you see above.
5. You can use a phonetic symbol in a transcription more than once.
It’s as simple as that! Have fun!
PRONUNCIATIONScontributedand theCONTRIBUTORS
/ɪnˌsaɪkləˈpi:diə/
GabrielGalinaHala
1. /li:p/ leap.1. /ki:/ key / quay1./ni:s/ niece
2. /saɪn/ .sign2./ˈsaɪləns/.silence.2. /pi:/ pea / pee
3. /sli:p/ .sleep..3. /ˈlɪkə/ liquor .3. /di:p/ deep
The following is an Online Game! It's entertaining and educational at the same time. All you have to do is read the verse and guess the word that rhymes.
Please remember that you won't be allowed to go to the next verse if you couldn't complete the current one! Okay, I want you totake a screenshot of the highest versethat you could answer andpaste it in the comment boxalong with yourcorrect answer for that verse! I think this game will give you a rough idea how you couldwrite your own verses. So, you see, you could alsoshare you own verses with us! We'll bemore than happyto read them. Show the world what you could do! Enjoy!
NOTE: I've already writtenmy first rhyming verseafter playing this game! Check it outHERE. It seems anybody could do it! I may write a few more as we along. What about you?
By the way, I’ve published a blog about HOMOGRAPHS. What is a homograph? Why should we learn homographs? If you want to know the answer for these questions, simply click HERE!
The OBJECTIVE of the game is to unscramble a well known proverb, phrase or saying by clicking on the letter tiles and dragging them into the blank spaces.
ATTENTION - DO NOT CLICK on the 'Start' / 'Play' / 'Play Now' button that you see in the middle of the screenwhile the game is being uploaded! Because it will take you to the website instead of starting the game, which I don't want to happen!
STEP 1:Wait for the game to be'FULLY LOADED'. See the below screenshot!
STEP 2:Click on the 'PLAY GAME' button once it turns from GREY to RED.
STEP 3:Click on the 'INSTRUCTIONS' button and learn how to play the game.
STEP 4:Finally, click on the 'PLAY' button and start playing the game.
Have Fun,Guys!
This is my World Ranking as at March 30, 2013
No. 1 with a score of 201,630 points
NOTE: If you're one of those who has read my blog "How many can you find?", please take note that some of the phrases used here are what you learned there! For your info, a handful of my EC friends helped me to compile a LIST of about 420idioms, sayings, etc.
A huge "Thank You" to Galina, Marik, Scarlett, Hala, Grace, Asma, Hani, Bright Rubies, Rajesh, Ha Nguyen and Selma! You guys are SIMPLY THEBEST I've ever met! I miss those happy days where we had a lot of fun - mmm... those were the days!
(I've given the transcript for an easy grasp of the speech.)
First, while you are watching a video, make the consonant sound and pronounce
thewords asinstructed by Alex.
Second, play the video again but this time look at the transcript while listening to Alex.
Again, don't forgetto make the consonant sound and pronounce thewords.
Voiced Consonant/ l /
(Video 1 - Watch in 'Full Screen')
This is a (voiced) consonant sound.
You can hear it at the beginning of the word ‘light’ /laɪt/;
in the middle of the word ‘valley’ /ˈvæli/;
at the end of the word ‘bell’ /bel/
and at the beginning and end of the word ‘level’ /ˈlevl/
Now, you try! Listen and repeat.
light /laɪt/
valley./ˈvæli/
bell./bel/
level../ˈlevl/ Ok!
similar sounds /l/ and /r/
Speakers of some languages may find it difficult to tell the difference between this sound /1/ and another consonant /r/.
Now, listen carefully to hear the difference between the following two words and watch the position of my mouth. light /laɪt/ right /raɪt/ 2X
I make the /l/ sound with the front part of my tongue behind my teeth and I make the /r/sound by making my lips come out and pulling my tongue back - /r/.
Now, listen to some examples and watch the shape of my mouth.
led./led/ red./red/
clash /klæʃ/ .crash../kræʃ/
climb../klaɪm/ crime /kraɪm/
lice /laɪs/ ..rice ../raɪs/
lock./lɒk/ .rock ./rɒk/
Now you try! Listen again and repeat after me. (Refer to the above list!) Ok!
extra information about /l/
In English, /l/ at the beginningof a syllable is a bit different from /l/ at the end of a syllable. Listen carefully!
leaf./li:f/ ..feel /fi:l/ 2Xand
let./let/ tell /tel/ 2X
Did you hear that little difference? Listen again (beginning) /1/ and (ending) /l/ 2X
Now for some speakers of English, this can change the vowel a little bit. Listen again!
loaf../ləʊf/ .foal../fəʊl/ .2Xand
loot../lu:t/ .tool../tu:l/ 2X
Now, this can actually make the /l/ sound disappear at the end of a syllable. So, I can say...
pal /pæl/ or /pæl/
pill./pɪl/ .- /pɪl/
mile../maɪl/ - /maɪl/
milk /mɪlk/ .- /mɪlk/
cold../kəʊld/ - /kəʊld/
To be careful! There’s a bit of difference.
Voiced Consonant/ r /
(Video 2 - Watch in 'Full Screen')
This is a (voiced) consonant sound.
You can hear it at the beginning of the words ‘right’ /raɪt/ and ‘wrong’ /rɒŋ/;
in the middle of the words ‘sorry’ /ˈsɒri/ and ‘arrange’ /əˈreɪndʒ/.
Now, watch my mouth while I’m saying this sound. My lips come out and I pull my tongue back - /r/. Okay, let’s practise! Repeat after me.
right./raɪt/
wrong./rɒŋ/
sorry../ˈsɒri/
arrange /əˈreɪndʒ/ Ok!
similar sounds /r/ and /l/
To speakers of some languages, it may be difficult to tell the difference between this sound /r/ and another consonant /l/.
Now, listen carefully to the following examples and watch the shape of my mouth. For each example, I’ll say the word with the sound /r/ first.
wrong./rɒŋ/ .long./lɒŋ/
royal./ˈrɔɪəl/ loyal./ˈlɔɪəl/
misread./mɪsˈred/ ..mislead /mɪsˈled/
pirate../ˈpaɪrət/ pilot../ˈpaɪlət/
pray../preɪ/ .play ./pleɪ/
.
Now, let's practise! Listen carefully and repeat after me. (Refer to the above list!) Ok!
Linking/r/
Now in Standard Southern English, you won’t usually hear this sound at the end of a syllable or word. Listen to the following examples!
car .../kɑ:/
card./kɑ:d/
bored../bɔ:d/
hear./hɪə/
heard../hɜ:d/
Ok! Let’s practise this. Listen and repeat. (Refer to the above list!)
Now, you will hear this sound at the end of a word if the following word begins with a vowel (sound). Listen to the following two sentences.
1. This is my car. /ðɪs‿ɪz maɪ kɑ:/
2. My car is blue. /maɪ kɑ:r‿ɪz blu:/
In the first sentence, ‘This is my car.’, you don’t hear the /r/ sound because it’s at the end of a sentence.
In the second example, ‘My car is blue.’, the following word begins with a vowel (sound) /ɪ/.
So, let’s practise this.
car /kɑ:/
car is../kɑ:rɪz/
my car is /maɪ kɑ:rɪz/
My car is blue. /maɪ kɑ:rɪz blu:/ Ok!
SUPPLEMENTARY VIDEO
(Video 3 - Watch in 'Full Screen')
In this video, teacher Melanie demonstrates how to make the consonant sounds /l/ and /r/. She also describes about the place of articulation for these two sounds.
Step 3: Your Audio Assignment - COMPULSORY
Record the following as per the instructions given and embed your audio player in the
comment box. [If you've never used a voice recorder before, click HERE and learn how
to do it.]
1. .Say the phonemes the number of times they appear.
Voicedconsonant/l/:
[Put the tip of your tongue against the tooth ridge!] /l/ /l/ /l/ /l/ /l/
Elongate the consonant /l/ in each word: lent ... lake ... lap ... lime
Voicedconsonant/r/:
[Point the tip of your tongue towards the roof of your mouth!]/r/ /r/ /r/ /r/ /r/
Elongate the consonant /r/ in each word: rent ... rake ...rap ... rhyme
2. Read the following minimal pairs.
a) initial /1/and/r/
leading /ˈli:dɪŋ/ .reading /ˈri:dɪŋ/
lusty../ˈlʌsti/ ..rusty../ˈrʌsti/
liver /ˈlɪvə/ .river./ˈrɪvə/
locket./ˈlɒkɪt/ .rocket../ˈrɒkɪt/
lather./ˈlɑ:ðə/ rather../ˈrɑ:ðə/
b) /l/ and /r/ in other positions
bloom../blu:m/ broom /bru:m/
splint /splɪnt/ sprint /sprɪnt/
alive./əˈlaɪv/ ..arrive /əˈraɪv/
belly./ˈbeli/ .berry /ˈberi/
flees../fli:z/ .freeze./fri:z/
3. Read each sentence twice.
Lenny Lou leopard led leprechauns leaping like lemmings.
/ leni lu: lepəd led leprəkɔ:nz li:pɪŋ laɪk lemɪŋz /
Round and round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran.
(Bare in mind that not all written 'r's are pronounced in Southern British English!)
From the start we have shared a strong and supportive love for one another. I promise to nurture and embrace that love, so as we grow our love grows with us. You have always been somebody that I have seen as my equal. I have infinite respect for you and will let no other treat you any differently. We’ve shared joys and troubles during our relationship and continued to support each other with all that we have. I vow that my support will never waver or fade, nor cower during difficult times.
Asample of the audio assignmentthat I've recorded for you!
You can use this Vocaroo Voice Recorder to practise the above Audio Assignment.
(A Nasal Consonant is a speech sound that is produced by sending a stream of air through the nose!)
There are threeNasal Consonants in English. They are...
theVoiced/m/, /n/ and /ŋ/
[ Click on the image to see it on alarge scale!]
-{ Click ' HERE ' for the transcript of my voice }-
Step1:Watch the videos-VERY IMPORTANT (I've given the transcriptfor an easy grasp of the speech.)
First, while you are watching a video, make the consonant sound and pronounce
thewords asinstructed by Alex.
Second, play the video again but this time look at the transcript while listening to Alex.
Again, don'tforgetto make the consonant sound and pronounce thewords.
Voiced Consonant/n/
(Video 1 - Watch in 'Full Screen')
This is a (voiced) consonant sound.
You can hear it at the beginning of the word ‘nice’ /naɪs/;
in the middle of the word ‘funny’ /ˈfʌni/;
at the end of the word ‘son’ /sʌn/ and at the beginning and end of the word ‘none’ /nʌn/.
In English, we make this sound with the tongue behind the teeth - /n/. And when you make this sound, you should be able to feel the vibration in your nose - /n/.
Now, let’s practise. Listen and repeat after me!
nice /naɪs/
funny ./ˈfʌni/
son /sʌn/
none./nʌn/ Ok!
.
similar sounds /n/ and /ŋ/
It can be difficult to tell the difference between this sound /n/ and another similar consonant /ŋ/ which is made much further back in the mouth. Listen to these examples: son /sʌn/ sung /sʌŋ/
Can you hear the difference? Let’s try! You repeat after me: son /sʌn/ sung /sʌŋ/ 2X
Here’s some more examples. Listen first!
pin /pɪn/ .ping../pɪŋ/
ran./ræn/ rang /ræŋ/
thin./θɪn/ thing /θɪŋ/
wind../wɪnd/ winged /wɪŋd/
Now you try. Listen again and repeat after me. (Refer to the above list) Ok!
Voiced Consonant/ŋ/
(Video 2 - Watch in 'Full Screen')
This is a (voiced) consonant sound. Now, in English, you’ll never find it at beginning of a word because it only comes at the end of a syllable.
So, you’ll find it in middle of the word ‘anger’ /ˈæŋgə/
and in the middle of the word ‘thanks’ /θæŋks/
and at the end of the word ‘rung’ /rʌŋ/.
Now, we make this sound towards the back of our mouth - /ŋ/. And if you do this sound correctly, you can feel the vibration in your nose - /ŋ/
Now, let’s practise. Listen to these example and repeat after me.
rung./rʌŋ/
anger../ˈæŋgə/
thank.../θæŋks/ Ok!
.
similar sounds /ŋ/ and /n/
Now, it can be difficult to hear the difference between this sound - /ŋ/ and another similar consonant /n/. Listen carefully! rung / rʌŋ/ run /rʌn/ 2X
Now, /ŋ/ is made at the back of the mouth and /n/ is made behind the teeth.
Now you try! Listen and repeat: rung / rʌŋ/ run /rʌn/ 2X
Now, let’s have some more examples. Listen first!
tongue /tʌŋ/ .ton / tʌn/
wing./wɪŋ/ .win./wɪn/
robbing /ˈrɒbɪŋ/ .robin../ˈrɒbɪn/
singer../ˈsɪŋə/ sinner /ˈsɪnə/
Now you try! Listen and repeat. (Refer to the above list)Ok!
Voiced Consonant/m/
(Video 3 - Watch in 'Full Screen')
This is a (voiced) consonant sound. It’s pronounced /m/. I make this sound by closing my lips and letting the sound come from my nose - /m/. I can even feel my nose vibrating. You try /m/.
You can hear this sound at beginning of the word ‘more’ /mɔ:/;
in the middle of the word ‘hammer’ /ˈhæmə/;
at the end of the word ‘sum’ /sʌm/ and at the beginning and end of the word ‘mime’ /maɪm/.
Now, you try! Listen and repeat.
more../mɔ:/
hammer /ˈhæmə/
sum /sʌm/
mime../maɪm/ Good!
.
similar sounds /m/, /n/ and /ŋ/
It may be difficult to hear the difference between this sound /m/ and two similar sounds /n/ - the sound that you hear at the end of the word ‘son’ /sʌn/ and the sound that you hear at the end of the word ‘sung’ /sʌŋ/.
Now, listen carefully! Watch the shape of my mouth as I say these words.
sum./sʌm/ sun /sʌn/ sung /sʌŋ/
rum./rʌm/ ..run /rʌn/ ..rung /rʌŋ/
Now you try! Listen and repeat after me. (Refer to the above list)
Step 2: Do this activity! - VERY IMPORTANT
Click on the image below for the animation of the speech organs. Watch what happens insideour mouth when the voicedconsonants /m/, /n/ and /ŋ/are made in isolation.
Follow these steps if you are not sure where to start from: (refer to the numbers)
1. Click the tab 'nasal' to make the three nasal consonants appear first.
2. Click the phonetic symbol of the voiced consonant /m/ and you'll see the rest.
3. Click the 'play' button to watch the animation of the voiced consonant /m/
4. Click the 'radio button' and 'play' button again to watch the articulation in steps.
5. Click the right 'play' button for the front viewof the mouth when /m/ is articulated.
6. Click the 'speaker icon' to listen to the voiced consonant /m/ used in words.
7. Follow steps 2 - 6 to listen to the voiced consonants /n/ and /ŋ/
Step 3: Your Audio Assignment - COMPULSORY
Record the following as per the instructions given and embed your audio player in the
comment box. [If you've never used a voice recorder before, click HERE and learn how
to do it.]
1. .Say the phonemes the number of times they appear.
Voicedconsonant: [Press your lips together firmly!] /m/ /m/ /m/ /m/ /m/
Now, use the syllable 'ma' and sing the tune of the song 'London Bridge' (Check my audio!)
Voicedconsonant: [Press the tip of your tongue against the tooth ridge!] /n/ /n/ /n/ /n/ /n/
Now, use the syllable 'na' and sing the tune of the song 'Happy Birthday' (Check my audio!)
Voicedconsonant: [Raise the back of your tongue!] /ŋ/ /ŋ/ /ŋ/ /ŋ/ /ŋ/
Now, use the syllable 'nga' and sing the tune of the song 'Brother John' (Check my audio!)
Note: If you want, you can sing the tunes of your own choice of songs! I would love to
hear something from your mother tongue.
2. Read the list of words in pairs.
a) initial /m/ and /n/
mail /meɪl/ nail /neɪl/
muffin /ˈmʌfɪn/ ..nuffin /ˈnʌfɪn/
motion./ˈməʊʃn/ .notion./ˈnəʊʃn/
moose /mu:s/ ..noose../nu:s/
mammy /ˈmæmi/ nanny /ˈnæni/
b) ending /m/ and /n/
firm../fɜ:m/ fern./fɜ:n/
scam /skæm/ scan /skæn/
gleam../gli:m/ glean ../gli:n/
time../taɪm/ ..tine../taɪn/
dorm../dɔ:m/ .dawn../dɔ:n/
c) ending /n/ and /ŋ/
kin /kɪn/ .king../kɪŋ/
gone./gɒn/ .gong./gɒŋ/
stun /stʌn/ stung./stʌŋ/
fan /fæn/ .fang./fæŋ/
win./wɪn/ .wing /wɪŋ/
d) ending /ŋ/ and /ŋk/
tang /tæŋ/ ..tank /tæŋk/
cling../klɪŋ/ .clink../klɪŋk/
dung./dʌŋ/ dunk./dʌŋk/
thing./θɪŋ/ think../θɪŋk/
bang../bæŋ/ ..bank /bæŋk/
e) ending /ŋgə/ and /ŋə/ (This is an afterthought! Refer to the words below my AudioPal.)
3. .Read the following sentences and paragraph! (Focus on /m/, /n/ and /ŋ/)
*Mary Mac's mother's making Mary Mac marry me.
* I know a nurse anaesthetist who unearthed a nest.
* The king would sing, about a ring that would go ding.
*On a fine spring morning, the sun was shining on mountains and meadows .making
everything nice and warm. Minnie and Maureen, two dumb women, were walking
along the bank of a winding mountain stream without saying anything. Minnie was
wearing rings on her thin fingers and a long string of gleaming diamonds. Maureen
was silently listening to a swinging song sung by a young singer sitting on the bank
of the winding mountain stream.
Asample of the audio assignmentthat I've recorded for you!
Now, some of you told me that you find it difficult to pronounce the word ‘singer’ without dropping the consonant /g/. You, therefore, end up saying /ˈsɪŋgə/ instead of /ˈsɪŋə/. The following exercise should help you to overcome this problem. Add this to the above audio assignment as e) to No. 2
e) ending/ŋgə/ and /ŋə/
Say the syllables in each word separately first, then put the two syllables together
and pronounce as a single word.
finger /ˈfɪŋ.gə/ ..singer../ˈsɪŋ.ə/
clangour /ˈklæŋ.gə/ .clanger /ˈklæŋ.ə/
linger../ˈlɪŋ.gə/ .ringer /ˈrɪŋ.ə/
manga./ˈmæŋ.gə/ ..banger./ˈbæŋ.ə/
hangar* /ˈhæŋ.gə/ hanger./ˈhæŋ.ə/
.
*It isalsopronounced /ˈhæŋ.ə/
You can use this Vocaroo Voice Recorder to practise the above Audio Assignment.
Teacher Bia published a blog about the occurrence of Arabic words in English a couple of days ago. To my amazement, she has come up with 160examples to back up the fact! Though I've never heard some of the words before, I could pronounce them immediately with no problem when I looked up in the dictionary for their phonetic spellings. It was good fun - I enjoyed it a lot! Here are the 160words written in the form of phonetic transcriptions (phonetic spellings) and my voice recording. I'm dedicating the List and Audio to the 12avid learners of Phonetic Study in our EC Virtual Classroom created by Rajesh. Enjoy!
..
Note: The pronunciation that I practise is widely known as Received Pronunciation or RP for short!
Single words are the building blocks of a language; hence we must try our best to develop a wide vocabulary.
It’s a well-known fact that a person who has a large vocabulary is able to express himself in an impressive manner, unlike someone with a small vocabulary - only could do it in a limited fashion.
You may have tried various methods to expand your vocabulary. Despite all the earnest efforts, your struggle could have failed to find the desired result. How many of you had this bad experience…? Perhaps you’d given up hope of ever acquiring that verbal dexterity because you’ve come to a conclusion that it’s virtually impossible! Am I right, my dear friend?
Well! However you look at it…, without doubt, it’s crucial that you amass as many words as you could and you must get it done the soonest possible. Let me draw an analogy: Trying to intrigue your listeners/readers with a restricted range of words is likened to an army which is ill-prepared for the battle and merely waiting for a disaster to take place!
I’ve fought many uphill battles against the inability to express my thoughts uninterrupted. To tell the truth, I had only a handful of words to play with, whether it was my written or spokenEnglish. I was on the verge of giving up when finally was introduced to this TRICK…! I’m glad to share with you that “Old Secret of Mine..!”
Just before I tell what exactly I want you to do, make sure you have the good habit of reading regularly; if not start doing it today and not tomorrow for “tomorrow” never comes!
STEP1:.
..
Take a sheet of paper, for example a leaf from an exercise book: size – 16cm X 21cm, I suppose. Fold itvertically into 2 halves. Now, this time foldhorizontally (of course into two) by taking the bottom edge to the top one. Fold one more timehorizontally – bottom one to the top edge. Good! Take a pair of scissors and cut off all four edges so that you’ll end up with 8 separate pieces of *slips, equal in size (8cm X 5cm)!
Here’s a sample
8cm X 5cm each piece
STEP2:
Whenever you come across a WORD which is NEW to you, take a*slipand write down the WORD on the front side of it. (You can add the “pronunciation”as well if you know how to read “phonetic spellings”) Observe the SPELLING carefully as you write the WORD.
Now on the reverse side (back), write the MEANING of the word (Sometimes there could be more than one meaning). Look at your *slip and read the MEANING(S) you’ve just written. It would be much better if you could say them aloud a few times!
.
Let’s assume that your NEW word is “entourage” ; your end result should look something like the samples shown below
Front > WORD
Back > MEANING
STEP3:
Every time you’ve finished writing a *slip, drop it into a “small box” or any other container that you like, for example… (see pic)
STEP4:
Every morning before you leave your house just pick a few*slips (don’t see what’s written on them) from the box and put them in your pocket. Whenever you get a few minutes of free time, pick a *slip from your pocket on random and read the writing on whichever side that you see first. If it’s the front face (you’ll have the WORD there), try to recall the MEANING on the reverse (back) side or vice versa. Now, check whether you’ve got the MEANING correct. The next thing that you should do is, put the WORD in a few sentences as per the definition(s) given.
You see, you have the whole day to try these *slips as many times as you wish. You can do this while you’re travelling in a bus/car/train, having meals or even in the ‘rest room’ :-P
STEP5:
At the end of the day you can either simply throw the slips away or put them in another container. I’ll go for the latter because it will motivate us to do more when every time we look at those slips keep growing in number! Can you imagine this for a while…? If you could learn just ONE NEWWORDA DAY your vocabulary power will increase by 365NEWWORDS in a year! (I’m sure you’ll go for more than one word a day.) Wow! Isn’t that terrific?! Thus, do not procrastinate! Do it today!
Don't forget to click the 'Like' button if you find the instruments interesting!
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