Free video lessons on the American English Consonants
In these videos, you'll master the American English consonants as Julie gives you detailed instructions on how to pronounce each sound like a native speaker. You'll complete practice exercises with Julie in each lesson as you perfect your consonant pronunciation!
07
2021
How to Pronounce Difficult Words in American English - Dark L [Student Request Part 9]
This is the next video in the "Difficult Words in American English" series, as requested by my accent clients. Can you pronounce these words in American English? Model (noun, verb); bundle (noun, verb); curious (adjective); wildlife (noun). In this short video, you'll see each word pronounced up close and in slow motion. No frills, no lengthy explanations - just the pronunciation!
Read More Feb22
2021
Learn the American Accent! Nasal Plosion and the Glottal Stop
If you look at the spelling of the words "eden" and "eaten", you would think their pronunciations would be completely different - but they're very similar! These words are "minimal pairs", which means they differ by one sound only. "Eden" has nasal plosion, and "eaten" has a glottal stop. But other than that, they sound the same! Learn the difference between nasal plosion and the glottal stop in words that are minimal pairs, and then perfect your American accent with word and sentence practice at the end of this video!
Read More Feb11
2021
Your #1 Go-To Guide to the Dark L
If you have any questions about how to pronounce the Dark L in American English, THIS is your video! You'll learn how to pronounce the Dark L with drawings, videos, slow-motion shots, AND an ultrasound image of native speakers as they say the Dark L! Then you'll practice the Dark L in 9 different vowel + Dark L combinations. Watch this video - then watch it again - and learn how to pronounce the Dark L like a native speaker!
Read More Jan11
2021
Nasal Plosion and a Final T Consonant
This video is for all the advanced English speakers out there!! Let's combine two important (and tricky) pronunciation areas of American English: The T consonant and nasal plosion!
Read More Jan04
2021
The Nasal Flap in American English
You've heard about the flap, which is in words like "water", "letter", and "video". But that's not the only flap used in American English! Now you need to learn about the nasal flap /ɾ̃/, also known as the Vanishing T, which native speakers use in words like "internet", "twenty", and "wanted".
Read More Dec28
2020
The Glottal Stop in American English
Glottal Stop. Stop T. Glottal T. All three terms refer to the same sound, and this sound is very common in American English. In this video, you'll learn 4 ways to use the glottal stop in American English! Master the American accent and learn how to use the glottal stop in words like "certain", "oven", and "can't", and when linking words together, like in "let me"!
Read More Dec21
2020
All About the Flap (aka Flap T)
What's the easiest way to sound more like a native speaker of American English? Use the flap! The flap occurs everywhere in American English, and if you want to sound natural to a native speaker, you must learn how to pronounce it and when to use it! Learn all about the flap in this video, both within words and when linking between words!
Read More Dec14
2020
How to Pronounce Words with Nasal Plosion
Nasal plosion is an advanced area of American English pronunciation, but if you can use it correctly, you will sound much more natural to a native speaker! Nasal plosion can occur in words that have a final unstressed D + N combination, like in the words "sudden", "widen", and "hidden". The D changes to an unreleased D, the vowel in that syllable is dropped, and the N changes into a syllabic consonant. This sounds confusing, but I promise, it will make sense once you practice with this video!
Read More Dec07
2020
How the Dark L Influences Vowels
The Dark L is a tricky sound! It is difficult to pronounce on its own, but it's even more difficult when it is in a word like "feel" or "pill" or "sale". Why? Because it influences the way the vowel is pronounced - the vowel changes because of the Dark L! In this video, you'll learn how the Dark L can influence the way a vowel is pronounced in words that contain a vowel + Dark L combination!
Read More Nov30
2020
Linking with the Unreleased D
If you want to speak like a native speaker of American English, you have to master linking! Linking is how native speakers connect words together in spoken English, and there are lots of ways to do it! This video will teach you how to link words together using the D consonant, like in the sentence, "I had to." Something funny happens to the D sound - it becomes unreleased! Watch to learn more!
Read More Nov02
2020
How to Link Words Using the Stop T
A funny thing happens to the True T sound when it comes at the end of a word. Sometimes it turns into a completely different sound - a Stop T sound. Native speakers may use a Stop T within a word, like in the word "written", or between words to link them together, like in the phrase "Put that down". Improve the rhythm of your spoken English and learn the rules for using a Stop T sound to link words together in this video!
Read More Sep28
2020
How to Pronounce Syllabic Consonants
Have you been told this before: "If you count the number of vowels in a word in American English, then you'll know the number of syllables in that word"? That's not entirely true! Sometimes syllables have no vowels - only consonants! The N, M, L, and R consonants can become syllabic consonants, which means they take the place of the vowel in that syllable. Learn how to pronounce these syllabic consonants in this video!
Read More Sep20
2020
How Nasal Consonants Influence Vowels
American English doesn't have nasal vowels...BUT...nasal consonants can influence the way vowels are pronounced! If you want to sound natural to a native speaker, you need to master the nasalization of the American English vowels. Practice your nasalized vowels in this video!
Read More Mar16
2020
How to Pronounce the N /n/ and NG /ŋ/ Consonants
Learn the tips to pronouncing the N /n/ in "sun" and NG /ŋ/ in "song" - and learn when you can reduce the NG sound!
Read More Mar02
2020
How to Pronounce the TH Sound
Here are the BEST tips to pronouncing the American TH sound - including the variations of the TH sound!
Read More Feb23
2020
How to Pronounce the Light L and Dark L Sounds
How is the L in "love" different from the L in "tall"? Learn about the light L and dark L sounds in this video!
Read More Feb04
2020
Place, Manner, and Voicing of the American English Consonants
How is the "P" sound different from the "B" sound? Learn what makes the American English consonants different from each other!
Read More Feb04
2020
The American R Sound as a Consonant and a Vowel
How is the R in "right" different from the R in "learn"? Test your knowledge of the American R sound with this video!
Read More Feb04
2020
The American T in Sentences
The American T sound can be pronounced three different ways! Test your knowledge about the three American T sounds with this video.
Read More Oct16
2019
How to Pronounce the L Sound: Light L vs. Dark L
The L sound is tricky for many people - learn more about how to pronounce the light L and dark L sounds in this quick video and article!
Read More Jun03
2019
The Top 5 Problematic Sounds in American English: The "r" Sound
This is Part Three of the Top 5 Problematic Sounds in American English.
Read More May25
2019
The Top 5 Problematic Sounds in American English: The TH Sound
This is Part Two of the Top 5 Problematic Sounds in American English. Based on my experience with accent modification, most people have difficulties with these same 5 sounds, regardless of their native language. So let’s continue with the next sound: The TH sound.
Read More May11
2019
The Top 5 Problematic Sounds in American English: The "t" Sound
Based on my experience with accent modification, most people have difficulties with these same 5 sounds, regardless of their native language. I’ll begin this series with the first sound, “t”.
Read More