One thing that I like to do in my American English pronunciation classes is sing popular songs with the students. This helps them with English rhythm, linking and intonation.

Carolyn Graham’s Jazz Chants®: Student Book is an excellent way to improve pronunciation.

Click here to see one of the websites I use for using songs to teach English pronunciation.

One reason that native English speakers are difficult to understand is because they often use reduced speech. When native speakers use reduced speech the words seem to run together and this can make it very difficult to understand what they are saying.

Click on the link below to hear a list of phrases that American English speakers commonly reduce in everyday speech. You do not necessarily have to pronounce these reduced phrases, however it is critical that you are aware of them because native speakers use them all the time!

AMERICAN ENGLISH AUDIO REDUCED SPEECH

The very best book for learning to use reduced speech is Nina Weinstein’s Whaddaya Say? Take a look at this great book & CD.

To find the free songs on this site choose Songs and then select the type of music you want. Songs that have a lock or star are for subscribers but there are many FREE songs you can sing along with!

Learn American English pronunciation with songs.

For example: I typically find that my accent reduction students are not aware of the schwa vowel sound. This is the reduced vowel sound found in unstressed syllables. However, once they learn about the schwa sound in their accent reduction lessons they begin to notice and hear the schwa sound everywhere. Once they hear how frequent the schwa sound is, they realize how important it is for achieving a proper American English accent.

Accent improvement starts from focused listening for new sounds and patterns. Once you raise your consciousness of the way that American English sounds and patterns are different from the sounds of your own language, you will begin to listen in a whole new way.

After you notice a sound or pattern you need to practice it and incorporate it into your speech. This is not easy and it takes consistent practice but you can do it if you have the right tools and resources.

One great book that you can use to learn American English speech sounds and patterns is called Pronunciation Pairs. This book and CD set focuses on vowel and consonant sounds as well as syllable stress, sentence stress and intonation patterns. You can view inside the book by clicking on the link below.
Pronunciation Pairs Student’s Book with Audio CD

American English Listening Practice

Remember that listening is key to helping you improve your pronunciation. Careful listening will help you become aware of American English sounds and patterns that you didn’t notice before. Once you are aware of sounds and patterns it will be easier to incorporate them into your speech.

http://www.englishspeak.com/

Pronunciation Games

The “Learn to Use” section has video instructions that show you how to use Praat at home for language learning. There are also lessons on word and phrasal stress that demonstrate how Praat can be used to help you master these two key features of spoken English.

Free pronunciation recording software

This site has free English learning materials for medical professionals and teachers of medical professionals. The lessons contain  audio files that you can use to listen to and practice pronouncing medical English vocabulary. (The audio files should be opened in a new tab or window.)

This is a great resource for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals who are trying to improve the way they communicate with their patients.

Medical English Listening & Pronunciation

If you are looking for a book to help you with medical English pronunciation I suggest that you take a look at Medically Speaking RULES

This accent modification book is designed for intermediate to advanced students in the healthcare professions. I’ve met the authors of this book at conferences and I was impressed with their book and their knowledge.

The site has almost 1000 audio and video files you can use. There are also games and activities. I used to use this site in my ESL classes and I just rediscovered it this week.

American English Audio