Pronunciation

Want to sound more British and improve your pronunciation for free?

Click on the symbols to see how they sound in British English.

Give it a go now!

The Sounds of Speech

The phonemic chart breaks down the sounds used in language into unique sounds, or phonemes. There are 44 of these in standard British English, which can be combined to make any English words. Representing these sounds visually can be useful for learning pronunciation.

For example, the word ‘Hello’ can be represented as /hə ləʊ/

The symbols used in the phonemic chart are from the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The full IPA goes much further than this chart, and can be used to make sounds in many languages that do not appear in English.

Phonemics and phonetics are slightly different, although both are visual representations of sounds. In general, phonemic transcription describes the broader features of sounds, which can vary between users and regions and are somewhat subjective. Phonetic transcription, however, contains more precise information about how sounds are articulated, such as the shape of the mouth and position of the tongue.

Themed Phonemic Chart / Phonetic Alphabet Videos

How to Use These Videos for Self-Study

A themed phonemic chart is a very useful tool for English learners to improve their pronunciation skills. Here are some tips on how to use them for self-study:

1. Start by familiarising yourself with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols used in the video. The IPA symbols represent the sounds of English, and learning them will help you identify and produce different sounds accurately.

2. Choose a theme that interests you. Themed phonemic charts often group sounds together based on a common theme, such as animals, food, or travel. This will make the learning process more enjoyable and engaging.

3. Watch the video and listen carefully to the sounds being pronounced. Repeat each sound after the speaker and try to imitate the pronunciation as closely as possible.

4. Practice each sound individually until you feel comfortable with it. You can use online resources or apps to practice your pronunciation and receive feedback.

5. Use the sounds you have learned in context. Try reading aloud passages from books or articles, or listening to audio recordings and imitating the pronunciation of the speaker.

6. Finally, track your progress by recording yourself and listening back to compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker.

Remember, improving your pronunciation takes time and practice, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't come naturally at first. With consistent effort, you'll gradually improve your pronunciation and feel more confident speaking English.