Sometimes it’s hard to know how to practice your pronunciation outside of class. Here are three strategies that I use with my students.
1. Use a checklist
Make a checklist of the pronunciation features that you need to work on. You can use the results of your accent assessment or feedback from your pronunciation teacher to make this list. Each day choose one of the pronunciation features that you need to improve and practice it for 20-30 minutes. You can practice using an audio CD, TV, online videos or you can practice with a friend. After a while you can work on 2 or 3 pronunciation features at time.
2. Rehearse
Before going into a situation where you know you will be conversing in English predict how the conversation might proceed. Depending on the context you should be able to anticipate many of the words and phrases that you will need to say. Review those words and phrases in your head or even write them down. Rehearse the conversation a few times aloud. Use your checklist to remind yourself of the pronunciation features that you are trying to improve.
4. Memorize patterns & phrases
Memorize short quotes, dialogues and poems as well as words with difficult syllable stress patterns. Practice saying these over and over while exercising, bathing, walking or driving. I often do this in the car when I am driving alone. I still remember the Spanish dialogs I had to memorize back in high school so I know that this is effective!
Whatever strategies you chose, you must practice consistently, just like you would if you were training for an athletic event or learning to play a musical instrument. Consistent practice will help your mouth and tongue develop the “muscle memory” needed for you to articulate American English sounds correctly.
Tags: accent assessment, American English Pronunciation, practice strategies
