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Fun Easy English Classroom April 24
 

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American English
pronunciation
lesson 15
American English Pronunciation Lesson 15

Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to learn to pronounce the sound ear as in the words near, year, beer, here. Remember "practice makes perfect" if you want to improve your English speaking ability.
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Pronunciation: American English Lesson 15

Pronounce the sound ear as in the words near, year, beer, here. Watch the following pronunciation videos and learn to pronounce this sound correctly.
 
Video: American English Pronunciation Lesson 15
Spelling
ear ear, hear, near, dear, beard, year, appear, disappear
eer beer, steer, cheer, reindeer, volunteer, pioneer, peer
ere severe, here, cashmere, atmosphere
 
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 slightly tense.
Lips

Your lips should be unrounded and in the same position as when you smile.
Tongue

The middle part of your tongue should be in the upper 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.
near beer peer beard
steer here year cheer
cashmere appear pioneer atmosphere
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound (watch the video above)
 
Pronunciation word test

Choose the correct letter or letters to complete each of the following words.
1.  n_ _ _
2.  b_ _ _
3.  b_ _ _d
4.  st_ _ _
5.  h_ _ _
6.  y_ _ _
7.  ch_ _ _
8.  cashm_ _ _
9.  app_ _ _
10.  atmosph_ _ _
Note: the letter or letters needed to complete each word all have the same sound.
From YOUR Teacher: Pronounce Ear

This sound will always be easy for you if you simply pronounce it the same as the word ear.
 
Additional Lessons
About These Lessons

The following classroom lessons are great for students who want additional conversation, listening, and reading practice.
  • Conversation Lesson - Intermediate 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 - Early in the Morning
(Intermediate - Conversation, Reading)

Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language.
Early in the Morning

Gene: It’s time to get up!

Ed: I just went to bed!

Gene: You shouldn’t have stayed up so late watching TV. I told you we had to get an early start.

Ed: I know, but that movie was just too good to leave. I guess I’ll just have to pay the price and be sleepy.

Gene: Do you want to eat breakfast here?

Ed: No. Why don’t we just grab a bite at the coffee shop next door?

Gene: Okay by me.
Conversation Notes
  • TV
  • television
  • get an early start
  • leave early in the morning
  • just
  • simply
  • pay the price
  • suffer the consequences
  • grab a bite
  • (Informal) get something to eat
  • coffee shop
  • a type of restaurant
  • Okay by me
  • It’s all right with me
Source: U.S. State Department
Additional Conversation
Conversation

This is a collection of 30 situational conversations which focus on a wide variety of communicative and natural encounters in English....these lessons are for beginning 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.
 
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