American English Consonants for Indian IT Professionals

You will learn to vocally distinguish between P and B in the beginning, middle and end of a word.  We'll analyze and correct the P and B errors of a Tamil, Hindi and Gujarati speaker.  Then practice the skill with the repetition audio located in Downloadable materials.  Repeat after me in the space provided.  Imitate exactly what you hear.  This will improve your accent in no time.

You will learn to vocally distinguish between T and D in the beginning, middle and end of a word.  You will learn when T is held or clear and when it becomes a fast D.

T and D are tricky, so I've split the lesson into 2 parts.

You will learn to vocally distinguish between CH and J in the beginning, middle and end of a word.  Next, you will learn spellings that yield a CH or J pronunciation but do not have CH or J in the spelling, such as sti, tr and dr..  Finally you will learn to distinguish CH and J from ZH.  Don't forget to practice with the repetition audio located in the Downloadable materials.  Practice makes perfect! 

You will learn to vocally distinguish between K and G at the end of a word.  Next, you will learn to be careful with KT combinations and not to omit the K.  Finally, you will learn the different pronunciations of the letter X, which is related to K and G.

Tongue exercises to increase the speed and precision or shifting between different parts of the tongue.

You will learn to vocally distinguish between F and V at the end of a word.  Then you will learn to distinguish between V and W.

You will learn to vocally distinguish between 1)  voiceless th and t.  2) voiced TH and D and 3) voiceless th and voiced TH.   You will learn spelling patterns that help you predict which th/TH is needed.

You will learn to vocally distinguish between S and Z.  Next, you will learn the rules for the pronunciation of third person singular verbs, plurals and possessives.  Then you will learn spelling rules that help you predict S vs. Z pronunciation.  Finally, you will practice S and Z clusters, such as STR, STS and DZ.

S and Z are complex, so I've broken the lesson into 2 parts. 

You will learn to vocally distiguish between 1) SH and S and 2) SH and ZH .  Next, you will learn spelling rules that help you predict whether you need an SH or a ZH.

You will learn how to vocally distinguish H from a vowel and practice not omitting H from the beginning of a word.  Practice these skills with the repetition audio located in Downloadable materials.  Notice how the sentences get faster and faster.  As they get faster, Americans are more likely to drop the H in pronouns such as "his" and "her."

You will learn when Y, not included in the spelling, is needed in the pronunciation before some Long U sounds.   Next, you will learn when Y is needed before R or L sounds.  Finally, you will learn how to use Y to create smooth linking between certain vowels.  Hone your new skills with the repetition audio located in Downloadable Materials.

You will learn when W is silent.  Next you will learn to vocally distinguish between V and W.  After that, you learn to produce W clusters such as TW and DW.  Then you'll learn when W is needed before R or L sounds.  Finally, you will learn how to use W to create smooth linking between certain vowels.  To drive the lesson home, practice with the repetition audio located in Downloadable materials.

You will learn how to correctly produce an American R without the tip of your tongue.  Next, you will practice R clusters such as STR.  Next, you will learn about the vowel, ER.  Then,  you will learn how to clarify a long vowel +R.  Finally, you will learn the two different types of "AR."  Then practice as much as you can with the repetition audio located in Downloadable materials.

R is complicated, so I've split the lesson into 2 parts. 

Learn the Clear L at the beginning of a word or before a stressed vowel so that you can distinguish it from Dark L in the next lesson.  

Now learn the Dark L, which occurs after a consonant, at the end of a word and sometimes before an unstressed vowel.  Learn how to make the Dark L audible after different types of vowels.   Then practice with the repetition audio.

Learn now to produce N and M and not to make them too quiet or omitted at the end of a word.  Then drill these nasal sounds and the rhythm of the sentences into your muscle memory with the repetition audio located in Downloadable material.

Learn to vocally distinguish NG from G and from N.  Learn the spelling rules to help you predict whether you need NG, NG+G, N+J or NG+K.  Then practice imitating these sounds in sentences with the repetition audio located in Downloadable materials.

This Hindi speaker uses English to discuss a topic in finance.  I make suggestions about her use of consonants.  In other courses, I make suggestions about other elements of her speech.