PRONUNCIATION

HOW TO PRONOUNCE WELL

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH

PRONUNCIATION
There are several resources you can use to improve your English pronunciation.

CRC – CRUISE RECRUITING CENTER

ACADEMIC COORDINATION
ENGLISH PROGRAM
Listen to others
Probably the easiest way to learn how to pronounce words correctly is to expose yourself to native-speakers. Listen to
the way they talk. Watching English television shows and movies, listening to audio books, or even listening to your
friends that speak English can be helpful. Pay special attention to their pronunciation and understand the subtleties of
English.
Practice as much as you can
As they say, practice makes a man perfect; you should practice the language as much as you can. Try to engage
yourself in long conservations with your friends. You will not be able to excel in the language if you just hear other
people speak. Make sure you speak the language with others too. You might find it hard to pronounce certain words.
Make an effort to say those words repeatedly. This will help you improve your pronounce.
Don't give up
For non-native speakers, learning English is not an easy job especially if your pronunciation is not up to the mark. There
are many similar sounding words in the language, which may confuse you. However, you should not give up hopes. You
will come across many words with almost similar letter combinations, but they are still pronounced differently. Don't get
disheartened and keep trying. Seek help from others. Many people would be more than happy to help you with learning
and mastering the language. 
Read out loud
Grab some magazines or books and read out loudly. You may find it funny, but the louder you read, the better you can
hear yourself. Another way to practice is to record your voice using a recorder and listen to it. This will help you correct
your imperfections and mistakes in pronunciation.
Be patient
One of the most important things you need to remember is to be patient. You can't master a language overnight. If your
intentions are to do whatever it takes you to improve your pronunciation, you should be willing to keep trying until you
get there. There will be times when you may get upset, but you must keep practicing the language.
Read and listen simultaneously
Reading text yourself while you listen to someone speak can prove to be a great strategy for improving your
pronunciation. You can instantly pronounce exactly the way you hear the other person speak and also read the text so
you remember how to pronounce those words in the future. There are also several discs and programmes available that
you can use and listen to while you read the text. Books on tape are also very beneficial. It is a very effective way to
correct your pronunciation.
Many people realize the importance of improving their pronunciation skills even if they can speak the language. This is
why there are many institutes that run courses to help people improve their pronunciation. You can also take their
assistance. English is an International language, and if you are looking to work with an international organization, you
must be able to put across your words correctly.

* http://www.omniglot.com/language/articles/improveenglishpronunciation.htm - by Liliya Pavlova

CHAPTER 0

PRONUNCIATION OF REGULAR VERBS /-ED/

 Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers;
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked;
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked

A. Read the following sentences and pronounce the regular verbs in the past correctly.
 I answered the questions in class yesterday.
She boiled water for tea this morning.
He borrowed $10 from me last week.
I called my mother last Sunday
You carried your books to school today.
She cleaned her apartment last weekend.
The women covered their hair this morning.
The baby cried last night.
My father died ten years ago.
The students entered the classroom last night.
He failed the driver’s license test yesterday.
You filled out a job application last night.
An accident happened last week
The business hired a new employee last month
We hurried to catch the bus yesterday morning
My sister lived in New York three years ago.
The Judge married a couple last week.
The manager offered a new job last week.
We opened the restaurant yesterday morning
They ordered hamburgers for lunch yesterday

B. Read the following text and pronounce the regular verbs in the past correctly.

Yesterday, I decided to visit my best friend. I arrived at 10 in the morning. We played soccer for 2
hours, and then we cooked some pasta. We loved it! At night, Michael, Rose, Lucia and I agreed
to go to a club near our house and danced all night long. We liked this place a lot.

CHAPTER 1
The sounds of English and the International Phonetic Alphabet

This chart contains all the sounds (phonemes) used in the English language. For each sound, it gives:

 The symbol from the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), as used in phonetic transcriptions in modern
dictionaries for English learners.
 The chart represents British and American phonemes with one symbol. One symbol can mean two different
phonemes in American and British English.

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 A. - Practicing Reading and pronunciation

http://www.manythings.org/listen/wintersports/

Several popular professional sports, including football are played in winter. Most sports experts believe
football is the favorite sport to watch in the United States. Since 1994, the sports broadcasting network
ESPN has been studying the subject. Their experts ask tens of thousands of Americans what sporting
events they like to watch best. This includes attending the event and watching it on television at home.
National Football League competition has finished in first place for many years. However, both professional
and college basketball always rates in the top five. Basketball competition starts in autumn and continues
throughout the winter into spring. One of America's favorite spectator sports takes place almost all year
long. NASCAR, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, has huge live and television audiences.
The races take place mainly in the warm southern states. Probably the most famous NASCAR race is the
Daytona 500. About 200,000 people attend the race. Millions more watch it on television.
The winter sports Americans like to take part in often depend on where they live. Many Americans love to
downhill ski, for example. But only people who live near snowy mountainous areas can ski a lot. Ice skating
and the game of ice hockey are also popular winter sports. There are many indoor ice rinks in America. So
skaters can be active all year round. The same is true of many sports normally thought of as warm weather
activities. Indoor tennis courts, soccer fields and rock climbing centers permit people to take part in these
sports in all seasons.

TASK 1:
Record yourself reading the text “American and British English”. Send the recording to your teacher.
Pronunciation and intonation will be evaluated. Audio format must be MP3.

LISTENING FOR VOWEL CONSTRAST

http://usefulenglish.ru/phonetics/listening-for-vowel-contrast
I PART:
[i:] – [i] as in DEEP – DIP [u:] – [yu:] as in FOOD – FEUD

peel – pill, leave – live, beat – bit, seek – sick; cool – cute, ooze – use;

[i] – [e] as in PIN – PEN [u:] – [u] as in TOOL – TOOK

fill – fell, did – dead, miss – mess; fool – full, shoot – should, boom – book;

[e] – [ei] as in LET – LATE [u] – [o] as in COOK – COCK

pen – pain, sell – sail, fed – fade; put – pot, good – god;

[e] – [æ] as in BED – BAD [a:] – [ai] as in HARD – HIDE

men – man, leg – lag, peck – pack, set – sat; charm – chime, spark – spike;

[æ] – [a:] as in PACK – PARK [a:] – [au] as in ART – OUT

bad – bard, hat – heart; darn – down, lard – loud;

[æ] – [ə] as in FAN – FUN [o:] – [ou] as in SAW – SO

lack – luck, damp – dump; bought – boat, pause – pose.

[a:] – [ə] as in DARK – DUCK

calm – come, march – much, father – mother;

[a:] – [o:] as in CARD – CORD

star – store, farm – form;

[o:] – [o] as in PORT – POT

born – bond, order – odd;

[o:] – [ər] as in BORN – BURN

course – curse, ward – word, walk – work;

[o] – [ə] as in NOT – NUT

rob – rub, body – buddy, cop – cup;

[ə] – [ər] as in BUD – BIRD

ton – turn, such – search, sofa – suffer;

II PART
SENTENCES: Choose 8 different words from above, make sentences and read them loudly.

1- ________________________________________________________________________
2- ________________________________________________________________________
3- ________________________________________________________________________
4- ________________________________________________________________________
5- ________________________________________________________________________
6- ________________________________________________________________________
7- ________________________________________________________________________
8- ________________________________________________________________________

LISTENING FOR CONSONANT CONSTRAST

SENTENCES: Choose 8 different words from above, make sentences and read them loudly.

1- ________________________________________________________________________
2- ________________________________________________________________________
3- ________________________________________________________________________
4- ________________________________________________________________________
5- ________________________________________________________________________
6- ________________________________________________________________________
7- ________________________________________________________________________
8- ________________________________________________________________________

A. - Practicing Reading and pronunciation

http://www.manythings.org/listen/americanbritish.html
 American and British English
Language experts say that spoken English was almost the same in the American colonies and Britain.
Americans began to change the sound of their speech after the Revolutionary War in 1776. They wanted to
separate themselves from the British in language as they had separated themselves from the British
government. Some American leaders proposed major changes in the language. Benjamin Franklin wanted
a new system of spelling. His reforms were rejected, but his ideas influenced others. One was Noah
Webster. Webster wrote language books for schools. He published his first spelling book in 1783. Webster
published The American Dictionary of the English Language in 1828. It established rules for speaking and
spelling the words used in American English. Webster believed that British English spelling rules were too
complex. So he worked to establish an American version of the English language. For example, he spelled
the word "center" "c-e-n-t-e-r" instead of the British spelling, "c-e-n-t-r-e." He spelled the word "honor" "h-o-
n-o-r" instead of "h-o-n-o-u-r" as it is spelled in Britain. Noah Webster said every part of a word should be
spoken. That is why Americans say "sec-re-ta-ry" instead of "sec-re-t’ry" as the British do. Webster’s rule
for saying every part of a word made American English easier for immigrants to learn. For example, they
learned to say "waist-coat" the way it is spelled instead of the British "wes-kit". The different languages of
the immigrants who came to the United States also helped make American English different from British
English. Many foreign words and expressions became part of English as Americans speak it. Sometimes
Americans and British people do not understand each other because of different word meanings. For
example, a "jumper" in Britain is a sweater. In the United States, it is a kind of a dress. The British word
"brolly" is an "umbrella" in America. The British word "brolly" is an "umbrella" in America. A "wastebasket" in
America is a "dustbin" in Britain. French fried potatoes in the United States are called "chips" in Britain. All
these differences led British writer George Bernard Shaw to joke that Britain and America are two countries
separated by the same language.

TASK 2:
Record yourself reading the text “American and British English”. Send the recording to your teacher.
Pronunciation and intonation will be evaluated. Audio format must be MP3.

CHAPTER 2
SPECIFIC SOUNDS
TH
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 L
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R–L

A. - Practicing Reading and pronunciation

http://www.manythings.org/listen/smoking.html

Tobacco is the leading cause of lung disease. Smoking is also linked to heart disease, stroke and
many kinds of cancer. So-called light or low-tar cigarettes are no safer. Smokeless tobacco and
cigars also have been linked to cancer. The World Health Organization estimates that almost five-
million people a year die from the effects of smoking. At current rates of growth, the WHO says
tobacco use will kill more than eight-million people a year by 2020. Studies have found that nicotine
can be as powerful as alcohol or cocaine. Nicotine is a poison. But it also is the major substance in
cigarettes that gives pleasure to smokers. The body grows to depend on nicotine. When a former
smoker smokes a cigarette, the nicotine reaction may start again, forcing the person to keep
smoking. So experts say it is better not to start smoking and become dependent on nicotine than it
is to smoke with the idea of stopping later.

TASK 3:
Record yourself reading the text “American and British English”. Send the recording to your teacher.
Pronunciation and intonation will be evaluated. Audio format must be MP3.

CHAPTER 3
INTRODUCTION TO STRESS AND RHYTHM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbcEiFTmkQo
Many students think that learning English is about learning grammar, consonants, vowels, and
vocabulary. These form the basic foundation of a language, however, if you want to be understood when
speaking American English, and if you want to understand native speakers, it is essential that you improve
your stress and rhythm.

Stress
Stressing means that speakers of English make certain syllables and words:
 louder 
 longer
 higher in pitch
Stressing means to emphasize a sound. Every word in English has just one syllable with a primary
stress or emphasis. 

However, it is not only essential to stress certain syllables and words, but we must also de-stress other
syllables and words.
De-stressing means that speakers of English make certain syllables and words:

 more relaxed
 weaker

Examples | Listen & Repeat

 Engineer –> [en gə NEER] (2nd syllable is de-stressed; 3rd syllable is stressed)
 English –> [ING glish] (1st syllable is stressed; 2nd syllable is slightly de-stressed)
 Photograph –> [PHO də graf] (1st syllable is stressed, 2nd syllable de-stressed, 3rd syllable is
secondary stress)

Stressing and de-stressing syllables and words gives us rhythm in English.

In English, we do not say each syllable with the same force or strength. In one word, we accentuate ONE
syllable. We say one syllable very loudly (big, strong, important) and all the other syllables very quietly.

Let's take 3 words: photograph, photographer and photographic. Do they sound the same when

spoken? No. Because we accentuate (stress) ONE syllable in each word. And it is not always the same
syllable. So the "shape" of each word is different.

This happens in ALL words with 2 or more syllables: TEACHer, JaPAN, CHINa, aBOVE, converSAtion,
INteresting, imPORtant, deMAND, etCETera, etCETera, etCETera

The syllables that are not stressed are weak or small or quiet. Fluent speakers of English listen for the
STRESSED syllables, not the weak syllables. If you use word stress in your speech, you will instantly and
automatically improve your pronunciation and your comprehension.

Try to hear the stress in individual words each time you listen to English - on the radio, or in films for
example. Your first step is to HEAR and recognize it. After that, you can USE it!

There are two very important rules about word stress:

1. One word, one stress. (One word cannot have two stresses. So if you hear two stresses, you have
heard two words, not one word.)

2. The stress is always on a vowel.

Word Stress Quiz

For each question, underline the syllable that is stressed.
1. Can you pass me a plastic knife?

2. I want to take a photography class.

3. China is the country where I was born.

4. Please turn off the television before you go out.

5. I can't decide which book to borrow.

6. Do you understand this lesson?

7. Sparky is a very happy puppy.

8. It is critical that you finish today.

9. My Grandpa wears an old-fashioned coat.

10. There is a lot of traffic on the highway today.

Rhythm

Rhythm is the musicality of English–the ups and downs and the connected speech and the linking of

words, which together, change how we say sentences.

Remember, speaking with correct rhythm (musicality) is essential to being understood when you
speak!

Rhythm comes from the combination of the two types of stress in American English:

1) Syllable stress in words (as discussed above)

2) Word stress in sentences

Word stress in sentences

Americans stress words in sentences that are important to the meaning of the sentence. They carry the
content of the sentence. Basically, if you took these content words out of the sentence, you would not
understand the meaning of that sentence.

Content Words
 adverbs
 main verbs  negatives
 nouns  wh-words
 adjectives  interjections
Examples | Listen & Repeat

 I HAVE to GO to SCHOOL.
 I WANT my BROTHER to WIN.
 It’s NOT the BEST IDEA.
 
Function Words

Remember, rhythm and musicality in your speech is not just about stressing, but also requires de-
stressing, weakening.

In English we de-stress the non-essential, non-content words in a sentence, called the function words.
These function words are made weaker, and sometimes practically disappear from a sentence.

Function words include: 

 articles
 conjunctions
 prepositions
 pronouns
 auxiliary verbs

Listen and Repeat

(Function words written in lower case)

 I HAVE to GO to SCHOOL.
 I WANT my BROTHER to WIN.
 It’s NOT the BEST IDEA.

Notice, I did NOT say, “I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL”, but I said “I HAVE to GO to SCHOOL” [ay HAV
t’GOW t’SKOOL].

I said the function words quicker and more relaxed than the important content words. They almost
become part of the content words that follow them [t’GOW; t’SKOOL].

If I left out the non-essential function words from my sentences, you would still understand the general idea
of what I’m saying.
Examples

 *HAVE GO SCHOOL
 *WANT BROTHER WIN
 *NOT BEST IDEA

In fact, we hear children speak like this all the time when they’re learning to speak English, and we still
understand their basic messages.

Listen and Repeat

 “She WANTS to PLAY a GAME.”

 “I’d LIKE you to JOIN us for DINner.”
 “We’ll CHOOSE the WINner on SATurday or SUNday.”
 “MAny of the STUdents are GOing on vaCAtion  toMOrrow.”


A. - Practicing Reading out loud and pronunciation

TEXT 1

American Art in Delaware

You have probably heard of the DuPont Company, which was founded by a family of the same name. But
do you know about the museum that one of the family members began?

Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969) was an heir to Delaware's DuPont Company fortune. He was one of the
first serious collectors of American decorative art objects --furniture, textiles, paintings, and other objects
made in the United States between 1640 and 1840. American furniture and household objects had been
considered inferior to those from Europe. But du Pont helped develop a new appreciation for American
decorative arts. He created a legendary showplace for these objects on his family's estate just outside of
Wilmington, Delaware. In 1951 it was opened to the public as the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur
(pronounced winter-tour) Museum.

Du Pont assembled objects from his collection into 175 "period rooms," each with examples of American
antiques and decorative arts that followed a certain theme or period in early American history. For example,
the du Pont Dining Room has furniture dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. And, because this
was the time when the United States became a new nation, there is a patriotic theme in the room. Another
example is the Chinese Parlor, which has furnishings that reflect Americans' fascination with Asian culture
during the 18th century. In these period rooms du Pont believed he could tell the story of the early United
States through furniture and other decorative arts. 

TASK 4:
Record yourself reading the text “American Art in Delaware”. Send the recording to your teacher.
Pronunciation and intonation will be evaluated. Audio format must be MP3.
 TEXT 2

St. Anthony of Padua Feast Day Procession 

A Local Legacy
Have you ever lost something and really wanted to find it? Next time that happens, you might try asking St.
Anthony for help. For Italian Catholics, St. Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of lost things. The faithful
pray to him and hope that whatever they have lost will be found.

The Italian American people of Wilmington, Delaware, celebrate St. Anthony and 11 other saints with the
St. Anthony of Padua Feast Day Procession.

This annual religious procession, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2000, is a reminder of their Italian
heritage and faith. Traditionally, such festivals were held in Italian towns celebrating the local patron saint.
In 1925, a church in Wilmington held a procession to honor St. Anthony. Over the years, the festival
expanded to include 11 other saints and has become an eight- day celebration.

In the procession, statues of all 12 saints are paraded through the streets, joined by religious leaders,
government officials, people dressed in Italian folk costumes, bands, and others. 

TASK 5:

Record yourself reading the text “St. Anthony of Padua Feast Day Procession”. Send the recording to
your teacher. Pronunciation and intonation will be evaluated. Audio format must be MP3.

TEXT 3

The Hotel Of The Famous

What would your life be like if you were Albert Einstein? What clothes would be in your wardrobe if you
were Marilyn Monroe? Or Madonna?

Well now you can discover the answer to all these questions and many more at the Fame Hotel in
California. Ten miles outside Los Angeles, the Fame Hotel promises to answer the question "What if?".
When you check into the hotel, you choose a room. Each room has a name. There's Clint Eastwood on the
second floor and Elvis Presley on the third floor. In total, the Fame Hotel has 32 rooms, most of which are
named after stars of Hollywood or music. But there are also famous writers (Mark Twain and Agatha
Christie) and even some scientists and sports stars, such as Mike Tyson.
When you enter the room, you enter the life of that person. There are pictures everywhere. The owner of
the hotel has tried to fill the room with objects, clothes, even food that he thinks the stars would have liked.
Marilyn Monroe's wardrobe is full of beautiful white dresses, Albert Einstein doesn't have any socks in his
wardrobe because the real Einstein never wore them! If you choose Mike Tyson's room, you'll be able to
practice boxing in one corner of the room. And there's even a skipping rope too!

I spoke to one guest staying in the Elvis Presley room. "I love this hotel," he said to me. "I wanted to know
'What would Elvis Presley eat for breakfast?' and now I know". That guest eats pancakes and strawberry
ice cream every morning, just as Elvis liked to do. On the next table, the Einstein room's guest is eating
cabbage soup!

The company plans to open another Fame Hotel in New York next year and there are plans to expand into
Europe too. I look forward to staying in the Winston Churchill suite in London!

TASK 6:
Record yourself reading the text “The Hotel of the Famous”. Send the recording to your teacher.
Pronunciation and intonation will be evaluated. Audio format must be MP3.

CHAPTER 4
TIME TO PRACTICE

1. - American English pronunciation practice:

http://www.manythings.org/pp/
 2. - Read this story to practice –ed sound:
Yesterday was so busy! At the office, I worked hard with my team. We developed a new advertising
plan. Our meeting lasted about two hours. I remembered an advertising plan that worked five years ago,
and I suggested we try that again. We needed to get the manager's approval. We called him on the office
phone. He admitted that the idea seemed good, but he believed we should lower the budget. We reported
our numbers to him and talked about the budget for a long time. Finally, he decided to give us the money
we wanted. 

On the way home, I stopped at the mall. I had promised my daughter a new MP3 player for her birthday. At
the electronics store, I played songs and listened for quality sound. I decided to buy one at a medium price.

When I got home, the kitchen was a mess. At our house, we have agreed to clean up after ourselves, so I
asked around to find out who had cooked last. That person turned out to be my son. While he washed the
dishes, I sat at the kitchen table and talked to him about his school work. Last year, he tested into an
advanced program, and I wanted to see how he was doing. He seemed happy with it. He started telling me
about his classes and what he learned that day.
 3.- Practice how to reduce speech.

Apartment Rentals
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Actual Transcription:

I have decided to move out of my parents' place to live on my own, and now I am looking for an apartment.
However, it is a lot more difficult and expensive than I thought. First of all, a one-bedroom apartment is
going for about $500, and that is a little over my budget. Second, you have to pay a deposit, often equal to
your first month's rent. Next, most apartments are not furnished, so I have to come up with furniture and a
washer and dryer. Finally, the utilities, including gas, electricity, and water are not included either, so that
adds to the overall expenses of having your own place. I really think I need to get a roommate, or I will have
to move back in with my parents.

Reduced Speech:

I've decided tə move out əf my parents' place tə live on my own, ən' now I'm looking fər ən apartment.

However, it's ə lot more difficult ən'expensive than I thought. First əf all, ə one-bedroom apartment is
goingfər əbout $500, ən' that's ən' little over my budget. Second, yə have təpay ə deposit, often
equal tə your first month's rent. Next, most apartments aren't furnished, so I have tə come up with
furniture ən' əwasher ən' dryer. Finally, thə utilities, including gas, electricity, ən' water are not included
either, so that adds tə thə overall expenses əf having your own place. I really think I
need tə get ə roommate, ər I'll have təmove back in with my parents.

Job Hunting
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Actual Transcription:

Before I graduate, I need to start looking for a full-time job to secure my future. Presently, I am working
part-time in the evenings as a sales clerk for a small clothing company, but the pay is low, and there is no
future in the job. Actually, I hope to find a job as a graphic designer for a computer company in this area. Of
course, a good salary is important, but I want to work for a company that provides good health and
retirement benefits, with opportunities to develop professionally. I am writing my resume now, and I will
probably try looking online to find job openings. Job interviews also make me a little nervous, but if I
prepare well, I should be able to get a job.

Reduced Speech:

Bəfore I graduate, I need tə start looking fər ə full-time job tə secure my future. Presently, I'm working part-

time in thə evenings as ə sales clerkfər ə small clothing company, but thə pay is low, and there's no future
inthə job. Actually, I hope tə find ə job as ə graphic designer fər əcomputer company in this area. Of
course, ə good salary's important, but I want tə work fər ə company that provides good health ən'retirement
benefits, with opportunities tə develop professionally. I'mwriting my resume now, ən' I'll probably try looking
online tə find job openings. Job interviews also make me ə little nervous, but if I prepare well, I should be
able tə get ə job.

Online Shopping
http://www.trainyouraccent.com/a-online-shopping.htm

Actual Transcription:

Online shopping is really becoming popular around the world, and I have a friend that does all of her buying
online. She says she can find whatever she needs from online stores and communities like Walmart, eBay,
and Amazon. In many cases, traditional stores have a limited selection of products on display whereas an
online store often has a wider selection of goods from which to choose. My friend also says she can also
look up product reviews and compare prices much easier from her house than travel from store to store.
Equally important, she can shop when it is convenient for her since online stores never close. This saves
her time, and she doesn't have to deal with long lines.

Reduced Speech:

Online shopping's really becoming popular around thə world, ən' I haveə friend that does all əf ər buying

online. She says she kn find whatever she needs from online stores ən' communities like Walmart,
eBay, ən'Amazon. In many cases, traditional stores have ə limited selection əfproducts on display
whereas ən online store often has ə wider selectionəf goods from which tə choose. My friend also says
she kn also look up product reviews ən' compare prices much easier from 'ər house thən travel from
store tə store. Equally important, she kn shop when it'sconvenient fər ər since online stores never close.
This saves ər time, ən'she doesn't have tə deal with long lines.

Family Relationships
http://www.trainyouraccent.com/a-family.htm

Actual Transcription:

There are five people in my family, and my parents still have a cat and dog. I have two older brothers, and
the oldest works as a graphic designer for a computer company. My other brother is a manager of a bank in
our hometown. My dad is retired, but he keeps himself busy hiking, taking care of his grandchildren, and
volunteering in the community. My mom still runs a flower shop. My grandmother lives around the corner
from our house; my grandfather passed away about a year ago, but grandma keeps busy in her garden. I
guess you could say that we're a pretty close family. We like doing things together, mainly because we
have so many things in common.

Reduced Speech:

There are five people in my family, ən' my parents still have ə cat ən'dog. I have two older
brothers, ən' thə oldest works as ə graphic designer fər ə computer company. My other brother
is ə manager əf əbank in our hometown. My dad is retired, but he keeps 'imself busy hiking, taking
care əf 'is grandchildren, ən' volunteering in thəcommunity. My mom still runs ə flower shop. My
grandmother lives around thə corner from our house; my grandfather passed away əbout əyear ago, but
grandma keeps busy in ər garden. I guess you could say that we're ə pretty close family. We like doing
things təgether, mainly bəcause we have so many things in common.

Cell Phones
http://www.trainyouraccent.com/a-cellphones.htm

Actual Transcription:

More and more people these days have cellphones as a means of communicating with family and friends. It
just helps you stay in touch, so if I want to talk to a friend, I just call her up no matter where I am. Also, I can
take and send pictures with my cellphone, so I really don't need an extra camera. Of course, if my friend
doesn't have her cellphone turned on, then I can just leave a message and ask her to call me back. A
cellphone also comes in handy in case of an emergency and you need to call for help, for example, if your
car breaks down, and you need assistance. To be honest, I don't think I could live without my cellphone.

Reduced Speech:

More ən' more people these days have cellphones as ə means əfcommunicating with family ən' friends. It

just helps yə stay in touch, so if I want tə talk tə ə friend, I just call 'ər up no matter where I am. Also,
I kntake ən' send pictures with my cellphone, so I really don't need ən extra camera. Of course, if my friend
doesn't have 'ər cellphone turned on, then I kn just leave ə message ən' ask 'ər tə call me back. ə cellphone
also comes in handy in case əf ən emergency ən' yə need tə call fərhelp, fər example, if your car breaks
down, ən' yə need assistance. təbe honest, I don't think I could live without my cellphone.