- The Sounds of American English
- Okanagan University's OUP International
- E.L. Easton's Authentic American Pronunciation
There are several sites offering pronunciation practice on the web -- there is only one as comprehensive as University of Iowa's "Phonetics: The sounds of American English".
This site is the best of the best.
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Source: http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/
Direct link: http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/english/frameset.html
Advantages: uses Flash 4 or higher and Quicktime 4 or higher
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(*****) Excellent resource! Without a doubt the most comprehensive, useful internet tool available for improving speech. Better than most software programs, this site leaves me speechless! |
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Upon
arriving at source page, click on the small text at right, "Launch
English Library"; this opens a smaller pop-up window with the
program. ***** Graphics and navigation are top rate! |
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Developed by the University of Iowa's departments of Spanish & Portuguese, Speech Pathology & Audiology, and Academic Technologies, the materials offer professional expertise for learners at all levels. | |
Consonant sounds are organized (and defined) by manner, placement and voice. Vowel sounds are organized by monothongs (front, central, back) and dipthongs. Sounds are identified by IPA symbols. |
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The screen is divided into 4 areas (see image above). IPA symbols appear frame-left, animated illustrations frame-center, and Quicktime video frame-right; an index runs along the top. | |
Click on "Anatomy" hyperlink: new window opens with interactive illustration. Move your mouse over words or illustration for definitions of speech articulators (teeth, lips, alveolar ridge, etc.). |
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Click "play" button frame-right to hear and see video of mouth articulating selected sound. Then listen to the sound used in initial, medial, and final word placement. | |
Click "play" button frame-center to hear and see animated illustration of anatomical movements used to create each sound. Then view a step-by-step replay of the action. |
Advantages:
uses Shockwave and Quicktime
This well-known site offers a fair selection of practice materials for several
'problem' sounds. Videos and animations are supported by listening
discrimination activities.
Site has recently undergone a redesign process. New additions include
a video explanation of the differences between the /th/ sounds, /s/, & /z/,
by an instructor from the university .
There are videos for practicing the voiced and voiceless /th/ sounds. There
are also minimal pair exercises for these sounds plus lesson and dictation
practice.
Other sounds are still in the building process and currently offer at least
minimal pair work, plus possibly dictation practice and a lesson.
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Source: http://eleaston.com/pronunciation/links.html#act
Advantages: uses Flash
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This site offers many tools for the English learner, so it can be a difficult to find the pronunciation activities, but they are worth the search. |
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Most activities in this list offer audio support -- even if not clearly stated. |
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Activities allow learners to listen, practice with, and distinguish sounds individually & within normal sentence speech. | |
A combination of pattern examples, practice examples, and interactive quizzes allows for deep practice of a range of speech issues. |
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Recommended:
follow
these links to practice several of the REDUCED forms of English in use: • Pattern, • Practice, • Quiz. |
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E.L. Easton's Flash audio is clear and crisp American English, offering dialogues and songs for intonation and rhythm repetition. |
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