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Fun Easy English Classroom August 24
 

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American English
pronunciation
lesson 31
American English Pronunciation Lesson 31

Today in the classroom you are going to learn to pronounce the sound s as in the words sip, sit, seat, seem. Remember "practice makes perfect" if you want to improve your English speaking ability.
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Pronunciation: American English Lesson 31

Pronounce the sound s as in the words sip, sit, seat, seem. Watch the following pronunciation videos and learn to pronounce this sound correctly.
 
Pronunciation Video
Fun Easy English Pronunciation Lessons
More Videos
Spelling
s sip, sink, single, sit, six, seek, seat, seep, seal, seem, bus
c fancy
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound
 
Sound Type

This is an UNVOICED sound which means Your Vocal Cords DO NOT vibrate when making the sound.
You CANNOT 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. You cannot listen to your vocal cords vibrating.
VERY GOOD
You CANNOT 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. You cannot 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.
 
Mouth, lips, and tongue position

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

Your mouth releases air continuously.
Lips

Your lips should be slightly separated.
Tongue

The front 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.
sip sink single sit
six seek seat seep
seal seem bus fancy
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound (watch the video above)
 
Pronunciation word test

Try saying the following tongue twisters as quickly as possible.
  • She sells sea shells by the sea shore; the sea-shells that she sells are sea-shells I'm sure.
  • I slit a sheet a sheet I slit upon a slitted sheet I sit.
  • The sixth sick sheikh's sixth sheep's sick.
  • Six sick slick slim sycamore saplings.
  • A skunk sat on a stump and thunk the stump stunk, but the stump thunk the skunk stunk.
  • Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.
  • Mr. See owned a saw. And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw. Now See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw Before Soar saw See, Which made Soar sore. Had Soar seen See's saw Before See sawed Soar's seesaw, See's saw would not have sawed Soar's seesaw. So See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw. But it was sad to see Soar so sore Just because See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw!
  • We surely shall see the sun shine soon.
  • Sly Sam slurps Sally's soup.
  • Six short slow shepherds.
  • Silly Sally swiftly shooed seven silly sheep. The seven silly sheep Silly Sally shooed shilly-shallied south. These sheep shouldn't sleep in a shack; sheep should sleep in a shed.
  • Six sticky sucker sticks.
  • Sure the ship's shipshape, sir.
  • Sixish.
  • Swan swam over the sea, Swim, swan, swim! Swan swam back again. Well swum, swan!
  • Shelter for six sick scenic sightseers.
  • The sawingest saw I ever saw saw was the saw I saw saw in Arkansas.
  • Strange strategic statistics.
  • Sarah sitting in her Chevrolet, All she does is sits and shifts, All she does is sits and shifts.
  • Six slippery snails, slid slowly seaward.
  • Suddenly swerving, seven small swans Swam silently southward, Seeing six swift sailboats Sailing sedately seaward.
  • Shredded Swiss cheese.
  • Selfish shellfish.
  • Sarah saw a shot-silk sash shop full of shot-silk sashes as the sunshine shone on the side of the shot-silk sash shop.
  • Strict strong stringy Stephen Stretch slickly snared six sickly silky snakes.
  • Susan shineth shoes and socks; socks and shoes shines Susan. She ceased shining shoes and socks, for shoes and socks shock Susan.
From YOUR Teacher: Pronouncing S

This sound is present in many languages around the world and should be pretty easy.
 
 
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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