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.
Hey
if you cannot understand something on this page,
then use the Fun Easy English
dictionary
(opens in a new window)
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.
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).
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
