Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to
learn to pronounce the sound o as in
the words calm,
hot, on,
spa. Remember "practice makes perfect" if
you want to improve your English speaking ability.
Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window)
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.
Tongue
The front part of your tongue should be in the lower 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.
calm
blond
cot
doll
palm
drop
spa
hot
job
not
on
top
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.
c_lm
2.
bl_nd
3.
d_ll
4.
dr_p
5.
sp_
6.
h_t
7.
j_b
8.
n_t
9.
_n
10.
t_p
Note: the letter
or letters needed to complete each word all have the
same sound.
From
YOUR Teacher:
Pronouncing This Sound
This sound is particularly easy especially for native
Japanese speakers since this is one of the five vowel
sounds found in the Japanese language.
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. Let's
Learn English conversation lesson
with a conversation video, a video script, audio
listening practice, video speaking practice, video
pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
Conversation Lesson
40 - The Woods Are Alive
(Beginner -
Conversation, Listening, Reading)
In this lesson Anna's New Year’s Resolution is to try
something new. She auditions for a play. Will she get
the part?
Lesson Video
Watch the video and then do the activities on this page.
Video Script
Anna: Happy New Year! Some people, at the start of a new year, make a resolution
-- a promise to yourself to be better. I thought about my resolution carefully.
I want to be an actor on the stage! Today I will audition for a show called "The
Woods Are Alive!" Wish me luck!
Director: Next! What is your name?
Anna: My name is Anna Matteo.
Director: Are you ready to audition?
Anna: (warms up voice) Yes.
Director: Great. Let's begin on page 1. Here is the story. You are lost in the
woods. You are searching desperately for a way out. Suddenly, you hear
something.
Director: Now, say your line.
Anna: 'What was that? Hello. Is someone there?'
Director: Anna, you are speaking too softly. Can you speak more loudly and a
little more, um, seriously?
Anna: Yes, of course I can. 'What was that? Hello. Is someone there?' Is that
loud enough?
Director: Yes, that is loud enough. Let's turn to page 25. In this scene, you
are moving slowly and quietly through the woods.
Director: Anna. Anna! You are walking quickly and loudly. Walk slowly and
quietly.
Anna: I'm walking slowly and quietly. I am walking…
Director: Anna. Anna. You don't need to say "slowly" and "quietly." Alright,
let's try the last scene. Turn to page 48. I say my line first, then you say
your line.
Director: 'You will never get out of these woods alive! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!'
Anna: 'Yes, I will.'
Director: Okay, Anna, you said that line -- you said that line really late. You
need to say it earlier.
Anna: Sorry. Sorry. Let me try again.
Director: 'You will never …'
Anna: 'Yes, I will.'
Director: '… get out of the woods alive.'
Anna: I was too early, wasn't I?
Director: Yes. Yes, you were.
Anna: Director, how am I doing?
Director: You know, Anna. I think that I have the perfect part for you.
Director: The costume is in the back. Please go try it on.
Anna: Awesome! (Anna returns as a tree.)
Director: Oh, Anna, that fits you perfectly!
Anna: I'm a tree. I'm a tree in … "The Woods Are Alive!" Yes!
Anna: My new year is starting awesomely! Excuse me, Director! I have a great
idea for my tree. Oh, wait! Until next time!
Listening
Now practice listening to only the audio portion of the conversation.
Speaking
In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then learn about asking for and
giving feedback.
Pronunciation
Use this video to learn about projecting when public speaking. Learn one way to
make your voice sound more confident when you speak to a group.
New Words
actor -
n. a person who acts in a play or a movie
audition -
n. a short performance to show the talents of
someone (such as an actor or a musician) who is being considered for a role
in a play or a position in an orchestra
desperately -
adv. in a way that is very sad and or upset
manner because of having little or no hope
director -
n. a person who directs a play or a movie
enough -
adj. equal to what is needed
line -
n. the words that an actor speaks in a play,
movie or TV show
loudly -
adv. in a manner that makes or causes a lot of
noise
page -
n. one side of a sheet of paper
quickly -
adv. at a fast speed; rapidly
quietly -
adv. in a manner that makes little noise
resolution -
n. a promise to yourself that you will make a
serious effort to do something that you should do
scene -
n. a division of an act in a play during which
the action takes place in a single place without a break in time
script -
n. the written form of a play, movie, or
television show
softly -
adv. in a quiet voice or manner
stage -
n. a raised platform in a theater or auditorium
where the performers stand
suddenly -
adv. very quickly in usually an unexpected way
Activity
In this lesson, Anna tries something new. What new
activity do you want to try in 2017? Why do you want to
do it? Write about it in the Facebook Comments section
below. Then practice using adverbs as well as acting out
and guessing everyday activities.
Click
lesson activity to get the printable PDF version. The
page opens to a new window.
Study all 52 English conversation lessons. Let's Learn
English conversation lessons each with a conversation
video, a video script, audio listening practice, video
speaking practice, video pronunciation practice, a new
words section, and a writing activity.
These
lessons are for beginners.
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.
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.
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,
Use this dictionary and reference to look up any words you do not
understand in Fun Easy English.
You CAN
LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover
your ears with your hands.
You CAN
FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if
you place your hands on your neck.
Mouth
Lips
Tongue
