Rationale

When we study English what we’re really interested in is speaking! But English courses rarely do this.

Commitment

This material does not intend to teach you rules, but rather to help you develop new speaking habits. English spelling and pronunciation do not agree, and this has nothing to do with rules.

This goal is to speak clearly, not perfectly by controlling your intonation, the way you pronounce vowels, and using stress and reduction when necessary.

The main focus is not grammar, but every now and then there will be mention of some specific form of the language to improve our speech.

The commitment made to you is that you will gradually speak more clearly according to American English standards. It is up to you to continue using these methods to continue improving on your own.

Strategies

The Shadowing Technique

Shadowing is like a workout for your speech muscles and organs. You need to have a written passage, a recording in which a speaker reads the passage, and an understanding of its content. You may need to clarify the meaning of words before you start. You may listen to short sentences or phrases, pause the recording and then shadow, or imitate, the speaker as closely as you can manage. When you notice some progress, do the following portion and so on, always comparing your pronunciation with its recorded version. Then, gradually read the text aloud at the same time as the speaker does until you are able to speak it with no pauses.

The Stair Method

The focus is on syllabication, emphasis, reduction, intonation and rhythm.

Before reading a passage, highlight or underline the sounds in syllables that you want to practice. Then read the passage aloud to yourself slowly and carefully. Don’t worry if you sound exaggerated or strange at first. Read the same passage over and over again, until you will notice that your speech starts to sound more natural. You will be able to speak more quickly. Focus only on a few sounds at a time and only practice additional sounds in the same passage when you feel ready. Repeat something you said several times until it sounds correct.

Your commitment

Don’t worry about making mistakes. It’s a natural process of learning and it takes time and dedication. The goal is to gradually make new habits and make fewer and fewer mistakes by paying attention to how you speak. Listen to English speakers and simply copy what they say in the same way you hear it.

Don’t give up!

Be patient with yourself and remember you will be successful if you keep trying.