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Fun Easy English Classroom March 25
 

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American English
pronunciation
lesson 11
American English Pronunciation Lesson 11

Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to learn to pronounce the sound u as in the words fun, couple, money, does. Remember "practice makes perfect" if you want to improve your English speaking ability.
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Pronunciation: American English Lesson 11

Pronounce the sound u as in the words fun, couple, money, does. Watch the following pronunciation videos and learn to pronounce this sound correctly.
 
Video: American English Pronunciation Lesson 11
Spelling
u lunch, ugly, much, husband, fun, bus, sun, luck, bug, run
ou double, southern, country, couple
o company, wonderful, honey, money
oe does
oo blood
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound
 
Sound: Voiced and Unvoiced

This is a VOICED sound which means Your Vocal Cords DO vibrate when making this sound.
You CAN LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover your ears with your hands.

Try covering your ears with your hands as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. Can you listen to your vocal cords vibrating?
VERY GOOD
You CAN FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if you place your hands on your neck.

Try placing your hands on your neck as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. Can you feel your vocal cords vibrating?
VERY GOOD
The following diagram shows the most important parts of your head and mouth used for pronouncing the sounds of English. It also shows the location of your Vocal Cords.
 
Position: Mouth, lips, and tongue

The following descriptions explain the proper mouth, lips, and tongue position when you make this sound.
Mouth

Your mouth should be relaxed.
Lips

Your lips should be unrounded.
Tongue

The middle part of your tongue should be in the center part of your mouth.
Practice video

Listen to the video and practice repeating each word.
 
 
Pronunciation practice words

Look at your mouth in a mirror and practice pronouncing the following words. Make sure your mouth, lips, and tongue are in their proper positions.
lunch double company does
run much country honey
fun couple money luck
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound (watch the video above)
 
Test: Pronunciation word test

Choose the correct letter or letters to complete each of the following words.
1.  l_nch
2.  c_mpany
3.  d_ _s
4.  bl_ _d
5.  m_ch
6.  c_ _ntry
7.  h_ney
8.  f_n
9.  c_ _ple
10.  m_ney
Note: the letter or letters needed to complete each word all have the same sound.
From YOUR Teacher: Really Difficult Sound

This sound pretty much comes from your stomach. This "uh" sound is often mispronounced by international students learning English. For example: Saying Fan instead of Fun.
 
Additional Lessons
About These Lessons

The following classroom lessons are great for students who want additional conversation, listening, and reading practice.
  • Conversation Lesson - Beginner Level. Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language with a written conversation and a conversation notes section.
Conversation Lesson 2 - Informal Greetings and Farewells
(Beginner - Conversation, Reading)

Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language.
Informal Greetings and Farewells

Dick: Hi! How are you?

Helen: Fine, thanks—and you?

Dick: Just fine. Where are you going?

Helen: To the library.

Dick: O.K. I’ll see you later. So long.

Helen: So long.
Conversation Notes
  • Hi
  • An informal equivalent of hello. For the intonation of How are you? see Lesson 1.
  • Fine, thanks—and you
  • See Dialog 1. Notice the rising intonation on and you?
  • Where are you going
  • Notice that the normal reply is simply To the library—not I’m going to the library. It is unnatural and unusual to repeat the information already supplied by the question.
  • O.K.
  • A less formal equivalent of all right.
  • see you later
  • The common saying I’ll see you later is often shortened to this (with the I’ll understood).
  • So long
  • An informal equivalent of good­bye.
Source: U.S. State Department
Additional Conversation
Conversation

This is a collection of 36 situational conversations which focus on spoken American English in a relatively natural way....these lessons are for intermediate students.
Conversation

This is a collection of 30 situational conversations. Each conversation is accompanied by language notes....these lessons are for advanced students.
Conversation

English conversation lessons. 52 lessons covering pronunciation, speaking, writing, and grammar topics....these lessons are for beginning students.
Conversation

English conversation lessons. 30 lessons focusing mostly on communication and grammar topics....these lessons are for intermediate students.
 
Additional Information
Avoid Ineffective Study Methods

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Pronunciation by Training Your Ears

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Long-Term Memory by Spacing Practice

The lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Hey Students,

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