Today in the classroom you are going to
learn to pronounce the sound ur as in
the words were,
bird,
turn,
learn. 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.
Mouth, lips,
and tongue position
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 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.
her
first
turn
worst
pearl
were
bird
work
learn
writer
skirt
earn
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.
h_ _
2.
f_ _st
3.
t_ _n
4.
w_ _st
5.
p_ _ _l
6.
w_ _e
7.
b_ _d
8.
w_ _k
9.
l_ _ _n
10.
sk_ _t
Note: the letter
or letters needed to complete each word all have the
same sound.
From
YOUR Teacher:
Be an Animal
This sound is really easy to make if you simply think of
yourself as an animal. Make a growling noise like a lion
or a tiger and you will be able to pronounce this sound
perfectly.
Additional Lessons
About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice.
Conversation Lesson -
Advanced
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.
Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for
students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL)
Language.
Asking Directions
MARK: Excuse me. Could you tell me where
the library is?
NANCY: Yes, it’s that way. You go three
blocks to Washington Street, then turn right. It’s on the corner, across from
the bank.
MARK: Thanks! I’ve only been in town a few
days, so I really don’t know my way around yet.
NANCY: Oh, I know how you feel. We moved
here a year ago, and I still don’t know where everything is!
Conversation Notes
Could you tell me … is slightly more polite than “Can
you tell me …?”
Could you tell me where the library is? Notice that
“library” is stressed here because it is the word with the important
information. This is an indirect question, so the subject (the library)
comes before the verb (is). The word order is reversed in a direct question
(Where is the library?).
Yes, it’s that way. Notice the stress on “that.” The
speaker is pointing in a certain direction and wants to emphasize that
direction.
I know how you feel is a way of saying “I understand.”
Notice the emphasis on “feel.” The speaker wants to show empathy and
understanding.
I still don’t know where everything is! Notice the word
order of where “everything is.” The subject (everything) comes before the
verb (is). This word order is different from the direct question (Where is
everything?).
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.
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.
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
