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Helen Nam, Marla Yoshida, Meg Parker, and Emily Wong

In this third course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization, you will learn and practice the "music" of American English, the features of pronunciation such as stress, rhythm, and intonation that will help improve your listening comprehension as well as your ability to communicate more clearly. Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of the musical features of English. You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.

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In this third course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization, you will learn and practice the "music" of American English, the features of pronunciation such as stress, rhythm, and intonation that will help improve your listening comprehension as well as your ability to communicate more clearly. Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of the musical features of English. You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.

Only learners who pay for the course will be able to take the graded quizzes or submit assignments for feedback. The free version provides access to the lectures and practice activities only.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome
Welcome to The Music of American English Pronunciation! In this course, you’ll move beyond individual consonant and vowel sounds and learn about things like syllable stress, intonation, and linking. These give English its characteristic “music,” and they’re a big help in making your pronunciation sound more natural and understandable. Learning about these things will also improve your listening skill and make it easier for you to understand English when it’s spoken at a normal speed. Good luck in practicing the music of American English Pronunciation!
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Syllables and Word Stress
Thought Groups, Rhythm, and Reduced Words
Connected Speech
Sentence Focus and Intonation

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Teaches stress, rhythm, and intonation, which are essential elements of American English pronunciation
Emphasizes practical application through shadowing techniques, allowing learners to actively improve their pronunciation
Offers opportunities for peer feedback and self-assessment through recorded pronunciation exercises
Taught by experienced instructors, Meg Parker, Emily Wong, Helen Nam, and Marla Yoshida, who are experts in pronunciation teaching
Suitable for intermediate learners who have already established a basic foundation in American English pronunciation
Requires payment for graded quizzes and feedback, limiting accessibility for some learners

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Reviews summary

Pronunciation for english

Learners overwhelmingly appreciate this course about the pronunciation elements of the American accent. Reviewers reference native speaker teachers, helpful techniques, and engaging content. Many recommend this course for strengthening English pronunciation and communication abilities.
Concepts are explained logically.
"The teaching technique is very clear about the pronunciation of English."
"It has an excellent content."
"The course has helped me a lot in my daily speaking."
Course design supports learning.
"The shadowing technique exercises are a great help."
"This is the best class I have ever taken for English pronunciation!"
"The course is really useful for me. After taking the course, I can improve my listening skill."
Students report progress with communication.
"I learnt a lot useful and practical skills from this course ."
"Excelent! I learned a lot with this course. My English Pronunciation has certainly improved."
"The best course. I've felt that my pronunciation and knowledge of this language has improved a lot thanks to this courses. "
Expert instructors explain concepts thoroughly.
"Excellent teachers, good dynamics and exercises, thank you very much."
"This course is the best course I have taken, I have learnt everything I need to know about american accent. Thanks a million my doctors"
"The teachers are great. Good job!!!."
Quality of peer feedback could use improvement.
"The problem with many of the UCI courses: 1- few peers who sometimes do not understand tasks or criteria so well and give you low scores for nothing, or there is nobody so you spend months waiting for someone to review"
"All the assignments were reviewed by only one peer for each, and I rarely received a useful feedback and sometimes didn't receive a fair review."
"Since the grade given by a random peer is directly reflected on my grade, it was hard to get 100% for all the assignments."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Music of American English Pronunciation with these activities:
Review Pronunciation in American English
Familiarize yourself with critical American English pronunciation concepts outside of class to enhance your learning later in the course.
Show steps
  • Examine the introduction and preface of the book to get a general overview of the resource.
  • Read the first chapter to learn about the International Phonetic Alphabet.
  • Look up and transcribe 10 different American English words using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Online Pronunciation Games
Playing online pronunciation games can be a fun and engaging way to improve your pronunciation.
Show steps
  • Find a website or app that offers pronunciation games.
  • Play the games regularly to practice different aspects of pronunciation, such as stress, intonation, and rhythm.
Tongue Twister Practice
Practicing tongue twisters is a fun and effective way to improve pronunciation and fluency.
Show steps
  • Find a list of tongue twisters online or in a book.
  • Read the tongue twisters aloud, focusing on pronouncing each word clearly.
  • Record yourself saying the tongue twisters and listen back to identify any areas where you need to improve.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Shadowing Practice
Regular practice with shadowing will improve your pronunciation skills and enhance comprehension.
Browse courses on Shadowing
Show steps
  • Find an audio recording of a native English speaker.
  • Listen to the recording and repeat what you hear out loud, imitating the speaker's pronunciation and intonation.
  • Record yourself shadowing and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Pronunciation Journal
Creating a pronunciation journal will help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Choose a notebook or digital document to use as your journal.
  • Record unfamiliar words or phrases that you encounter.
  • Practice pronouncing the words and phrases you have recorded.
  • Reflect on your pronunciation and note any areas where you need to improve.
Pronunciation Study Group
Collaborating with peers in a study group will provide opportunities for feedback and support in improving your pronunciation.
Show steps
  • Find a group of classmates or other learners who are interested in improving their pronunciation.
  • Meet regularly to practice pronunciation exercises together.
  • Provide feedback to each other on pronunciation and intonation.
  • Share resources and tips for improving pronunciation.
Pronunciation Workshop
Attending a pronunciation workshop will provide focused instruction and opportunities for personalized feedback.
Show steps
  • Find a pronunciation workshop offered by a qualified instructor.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises and discussions.
  • Implement the techniques and strategies learned in the workshop in your own pronunciation practice.
Pronunciation Presentation
Preparing and delivering a pronunciation presentation will enhance your understanding and ability to explain pronunciation concepts.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic related to American English pronunciation, such as stress patterns or intonation.
  • Research your topic and gather evidence to support your points.
  • Create a presentation outline and prepare visual aids.
  • Practice delivering your presentation in front of a mirror or with a friend.
  • Present your findings to your classmates or a group of learners.

Career center

Learners who complete The Music of American English Pronunciation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with employees and other stakeholders. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Resources Manager. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with employees and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to create a positive work environment.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to create marketing campaigns that are effective and persuasive.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and other stakeholders. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Financial Analyst. You will learn how to pronounce financial terms correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with clients and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to be more persuasive in your presentations.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Public Relations Specialist. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more effective in your communications, and they will also help you to build relationships with key stakeholders.
Consultant
Consultants need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and other stakeholders. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful consultant. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with clients and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to be more persuasive in your presentations.
Doctor
Doctors need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful doctor. You will learn how to pronounce medical terms correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build rapport with your patients and other healthcare professionals, and they will also help you to provide better care.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work with people who have difficulty communicating. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective SLP. You will learn how to assess and treat speech and language disorders, and you will also learn how to use your knowledge of English pronunciation to help your clients communicate more effectively.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful entrepreneur. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with investors, customers, and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to be more persuasive in your presentations.
Teacher
Teachers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with students. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful teacher. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to create a positive learning environment for your students, and they will also help you to be more effective in your teaching.
Lawyer
Lawyers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and in speech. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful lawyer. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more persuasive in court, and they will also help you to build trust with your clients.
Salesperson
Salespeople need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful salesperson. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with customers and persuade them to buy your products or services.
Broadcast Journalist
Broadcast journalists need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both on camera and off. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful broadcast journalist. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more effective on camera and off, and they will also help you to build trust with your audience.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Customer Service Representative. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with customers and resolve their issues quickly and efficiently.
English Teacher
This course is designed to help you master the pronunciation of American English. As an English Teacher, you need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both in speech and in writing. This course will help you to do just that. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more effective in the classroom and improve student learning outcomes.
Podcaster
Podcasters need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with their audience. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful podcaster. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to create podcasts that are engaging and informative, and they will also help you to build a loyal following.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Music of American English Pronunciation.
Classic work on the pronunciation of American English. It provides a detailed description of the different sounds of English and how they are used in speech. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the American English sound system.
Comprehensive guide to the sounds of English. It provides detailed descriptions of how each sound is produced and includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation. It valuable resource for students who want to improve their pronunciation and gain a deeper understanding of the English sound system.
Comprehensive guide to applied phonetics. It provides detailed information on the different aspects of pronunciation, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the English sound system.
Comprehensive overview of the field of phonology. It provides detailed information on the different aspects of phonology, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of phonology.
Comprehensive introduction to English phonetics and phonology. It provides a detailed overview of the different sounds of English and how they are used in speech. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the English sound system.
Classic work on the phonology of English. It provides a detailed analysis of the sound system of English and how it is used to create words and sentences. It valuable resource for students who want to develop a deeper understanding of the English sound system.
Comprehensive overview of the rhythm of American English. It provides a detailed discussion of the different rhythmic patterns used in American English and how they are used to convey meaning. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of rhythm and how it is used in speech.
Comprehensive introduction to prosody. It provides a detailed overview of the different aspects of prosody, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of prosody and how it is used in speech.
Comprehensive overview of the intonation of American English. It provides a detailed description of the different intonation patterns used in American English and how they are used to convey meaning. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of intonation and how it is used in speech.
Is designed for intermediate learners of English who want to improve their pronunciation. It provides clear explanations of the different sounds of English and how to produce them correctly. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation.
Comprehensive overview of the field of phonology. It provides a detailed discussion of the different theories of phonology and how they are used to explain the sound systems of languages. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of phonology.
Comprehensive guide to English pronunciation for advanced learners. It provides detailed explanations of the different sounds of English and how to produce them correctly. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the English sound system.
Comprehensive overview of discourse intonation in English. It provides a detailed discussion of the different ways in which intonation is used to convey meaning in English. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of discourse intonation and how it is used in speech.

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