IELTS Pronunciation: Natural Speech and Natural Sounds.
More often than not, candidates are unaware of weaknesses they might have in pronunciation.
Pronunciation is important as in IELTS Speaking pronunciation accounts for 25% of the overall band.
Natural Speech and Natural Sounds for IELTS Speaking
More often than not, candidates are unaware of weaknesses they might have in pronunciation.
Pronunciation is important as in IELTS Speaking pronunciation accounts for 25% of the overall band.
It does not matter if you have an accent, or you modal British or American English. Marks in speaking are obtained from the clarity of what you say.
Marks are reduced if what you say is not clear. Even native speakers can lose marks in this respect.
Jonathan’s TIP 1
To improve your clarity a good technique is ‘Mimicking‘. This means copying the way a speaker speaks.
It is not just repeating the basic word pronunciation but copying the way several words are often spoken as several linked sounds and the way the speaker puts stress on one or more words in a sentence for emphasis.
Mimicking the recordings of neutral English in British English course books such as “Headway” or ‘Speak Out’ will help your improve speaking a lot by creating good ‘habits’.
Alternatively, you could choose to mimic freely available listening recordings on the British Council Website. There are also plenty of American and Canadian recordings available, but too much “mixed” pronunciation will probably be less clear than one pronunciation modal. What is important is to focus on natural speed and naturally linked sounds.
As an example you can practice speaking English with the sounds linked.
For example, don’t say, “In/o/ther/words” instead say it as, “I/no/ther/words.”
Listen to the example here – In other words
by typing ‘in other words’ into the space bar.
Jonathan’s TIP 2
Watching foreign movies will do very little to improve your pronunciation because when you watch a movie you are only listening, a passive skill and not speaking, an active skill.
Jonathan’s TIP 3
Reading aloud is useful but only after you are quite sure that your pronunciation is correct. Do a lot of mimicking practice first.
Jonathan’s TIP 4
A really good website I like for hearing the pronunciation of most English words is below.
In the past I’ve often get students to use this in class, it’s really useful!
I’m Jonathan
I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.
I’m a parent, traveller and passionate about language teaching and helping students achieve their dreams.
Whilst living in Austria or working in Asia, I run IELTS courses to help students get to where they want to be.
If you are serious about IELTS, connect with me to see how I can help you.
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