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Rupert Walsh (MA)

There are many courses on English speaking and pronunciation that teach you basic principles, provide lots of practice, but still leave you feeling you haven't learnt what you need in order to listen and speak English fluently.

This course is different.

Rather than give you 50+ hours of practice on the same basic principles over and over again, this course takes you straight to the complex principles which will answer your questions about what English speakers do in almost every situation.

Read more

There are many courses on English speaking and pronunciation that teach you basic principles, provide lots of practice, but still leave you feeling you haven't learnt what you need in order to listen and speak English fluently.

This course is different.

Rather than give you 50+ hours of practice on the same basic principles over and over again, this course takes you straight to the complex principles which will answer your questions about what English speakers do in almost every situation.

  • For pronunciation, this course doesn't just teach you what the sounds are like. It teaches you exactly what to do with your mouth to make every possible English sound, so you can have confidence that you are articulating sounds correctly.

  • For accents, you won't just learn the basics of one or two accents. The "Regional Variations" section teaches you how pronunciation changes across a wide range of English contexts; British, American, South African, Indian, Australian and more.

  • For features of native speech, it doesn't merely get you practicing simple stress patterns. You will learn the intricate details that affect 1) why native English speakers use stress, 2) how and why they create rhythm in longer turns and 3) both the rules and exceptions for how they connect speech together.

  • "Intonation" is rarely taught in great detail on other courses, but makes such a difference to how your listeners interprets your messages. This course contains a comprehensive section on this vital skill so you can be confident not to make unintended mistakes.

  • And this course does not ignore the problem of matching spellings to sounds.  There is a full section instructing you on how to pronounce written words with the correct sounds, looking at how the pronunciation of letters changes according to specific situations.

Each lesson follows this pattern:

  • Learn

  • Listen

  • Practice

The course is useful for English learners at any stage of their learning journey. It covers the basic principles of pronunciation and speaking for intermediate level learners, and it also looks at the fine details for advanced learners; the details that separate a proficient but non-native sounding speaker from someone who can pass for being native in an exam setting, in a business context, or in life in general.

Examples on the course are mostly in the RP accent (Southern English, which is considered the "traditional" English accent by some), but contains sufficient examples of other accents to be useful for a learner who is attempting to develop an accent within any regional variation of English.

This course is taught by experts in the field with top qualifications and 25 years of real-life experience in teaching English learners like you.

By joining this course, you get exclusive access to a Q&A section where your questions will be answered by the same teachers you will encounter on the course, not an AI robot or an "assistant" tutor.

If you want to improve your English speaking and English pronunciation, we expect that you will find this course highly useful. However, if you decide the course was not the right thing for you, then you can cancel within 28 days for a full refund with no questions asked. This means there is absolutely no risk in joining this course. You can try and then leave if necessary.

So, do you want to improve your ability to speak English with native-like pronunciation, stress, rhythm, connected speech, and intonation? There's no need to wait.  Join this course and get started on your journey immediately.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn what to do with your mouth to pronounce every english sound
  • Discover how and why english speakers vary the volume, tone and length of words to create stress, rhythm and intonation
  • Know how english pronunciation changes according to the region where it is being spoken
  • Understand where english sounds and spellings differ
  • Learn the secrets of english fluency through connected speech
  • Practice all of these features through listening and speaking activities

Syllabus

Introduction
What You Will Learn On This Course
Using Stress
How to use this section
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches learners how to articulate every possible English sound, which can build confidence in their pronunciation and speaking abilities
Explores the intricate details of stress, rhythm, and connected speech, which are essential for achieving a more natural and fluent speaking style
Offers insights into regional variations in English pronunciation, including British, American, South African, Indian, and Australian accents, which broadens learners' understanding
Includes a comprehensive section on intonation, which is often overlooked but crucial for conveying the intended meaning and avoiding misinterpretations
Requires learners to understand how the pronunciation of letters changes according to specific situations, which may be challenging for some learners
Features examples primarily in the RP accent (Southern English), which may not be ideal for learners aiming for other regional accents

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Reviews summary

Advanced english speaking and pronunciation skills

According to learners, this course offers a highly effective and detailed approach to improving speaking and pronunciation skills. Students particularly highlight the in-depth focus on the physical mechanics of sound production, explaining what to do with your mouth for each sound. The coverage of intonation and rhythm is frequently praised as comprehensive and often overlooked in other courses, providing secrets of fluency. The Learn, Listen, Practice structure is found to be practical and helpful. Some note that while the course covers regional variations, the primary focus remains on the RP accent.
Primarily RP, suits intermediate/advanced.
"It's great if you want to learn RP, but examples for other accents were limited."
"As an advanced learner, this course filled in gaps I didn't know I had."
"Some initial parts felt a bit basic, but it quickly moved into advanced details."
Effective, practical lesson format.
"The Learn-Listen-Practice flow for each topic made it easy to absorb and apply."
"I appreciated having dedicated listening and speaking practice for each point."
"This structure keeps you engaged and actively using what you learn."
Excellent coverage of vital fluency aspects.
"The section on intonation was a revelation, truly changed how I think about conversations."
"I've taken other courses, but none explained rhythm and stress this clearly."
"Understanding intonation levels made a huge difference in sounding more natural."
Teaches precise mouth positions for sounds.
"Finally understood exactly what my tongue should be doing for the 'th' sound..."
"The instructions on mouth position were incredibly useful, much better than just listening."
"I learned *how* to make the sounds, not just listen and repeat."

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 Advanced English Speaking and Pronunciation Skills with these activities:
Review Phonetic Symbols
Reviewing phonetic symbols will help you understand the pronunciation lessons more effectively.
Show steps
  • Download a chart of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
  • Practice writing words using phonetic symbols.
  • Use online resources to hear the sounds associated with each symbol.
Review 'American Accent Training' by Ann Cook
Reading 'American Accent Training' will help you understand the nuances of the American accent and improve your pronunciation.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'American Accent Training'.
  • Work through the units that cover sounds and features you find challenging.
  • Complete the practice exercises in the book.
Review 'English Pronunciation in Use' by Cambridge
Reading 'English Pronunciation in Use' will provide a solid foundation in English pronunciation and complement the course material.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'English Pronunciation in Use'.
  • Work through the units that cover sounds and features you find challenging.
  • Complete the practice exercises in the book.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice with a Language Partner
Practicing with a language partner will provide you with valuable feedback and opportunities to improve your speaking skills.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner who is also learning English or is a native speaker.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Practice speaking about various topics and provide each other with feedback.
Record Yourself Speaking
Recording yourself speaking will help you identify areas for improvement in your pronunciation and fluency.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic or passage to read aloud.
  • Record yourself speaking for a few minutes.
  • Listen to the recording and identify any pronunciation errors or areas where you can improve your fluency.
Shadow Native Speakers
Shadowing native speakers will improve your pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm.
Show steps
  • Find audio or video recordings of native English speakers.
  • Listen to a short segment and then immediately repeat what you hear, mimicking the speaker's pronunciation and intonation.
  • Record yourself and compare your pronunciation to the original speaker.
Create a Pronunciation Guide
Creating a pronunciation guide will solidify your understanding of English sounds and how they are produced.
Show steps
  • Choose a set of English words that you find difficult to pronounce.
  • Research the correct pronunciation of each word using online dictionaries or pronunciation guides.
  • Create a guide that includes the phonetic transcription of each word and tips on how to pronounce it correctly.
  • Share your guide with other learners.

Career center

Learners who complete Advanced English Speaking and Pronunciation Skills will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
English Language Teacher
An English language teacher helps students learn to speak English fluently and correctly. This course, with its focus on complex principles beyond basic instruction, provides a grounding in the nuances of English pronunciation, including articulation, accents, stress, rhythm, and intonation. The detailed approach to sounds and the 'Regional Variations' section on diverse accents prepares an English language teacher to address a variety of student needs. The course's comprehensive coverage of connected speech also helps a teacher explain the secrets of English fluency. The practical approach, with its emphasis on learning, listening, and practice is highly relevant.
Voice Coach
A voice coach helps individuals improve their speaking voice for clarity and impact. This course offers extensive training in how to physically produce every English sound, a crucial skill for a voice coach who needs to guide clients in their articulation. The course's work on stress, rhythm, and intonation will help a voice coach teach clients to speak with more expression and confidence; the course's 'Intonation' section in particular is relevant here. The emphasis on connected speech helps a voice coach to deliver instruction on natural sounding speech patterns. This course would be highly relevant for any aspiring voice coach.
Accent Coach
An accent coach helps clients adopt or modify their accents for personal or professional reasons. This course is particularly useful for an accent coach due to its in-depth study of English sounds and articulation. The 'Regional Variations' section, which explores diverse accents like British, American, South African, Indian, and Australian, is also very relevant. An accent coach must also understand how features like stress, rhythm and intonation create a particular accent, and this course covers these topics in detail. The systematic approach to pronunciation will therefore help any aspiring accent coach.
Public Speaking Trainer
A public speaking trainer coaches individuals to deliver effective and engaging presentations. This course may be useful for a public speaking trainer because of its intensive focus on pronunciation, articulation, and the nuances of spoken English. The course's section on ‘Intonation’ is particularly helpful given how greatly intonation affects the interpretation of messages. The work on stress and rhythm helps a public speaking trainer address important elements of delivery. Furthermore, this course highlights the intricacies of connected speech which can give speakers a more fluent, natural style.
Communications Consultant
A communications consultant advises organizations or individuals on how to improve their communication strategies and effectiveness. While this role is broad, the course may be useful for a communications consultant who needs to understand clear spoken communication. The course emphasizes how to articulate all English sounds, and stresses the importance of intonation, rhythm, and stress. The course's focus on connected speech helps a communications consultant understand the nuances of fluent communication. Such knowledge may help them to advise clients more effectively.
Speech Pathologist
A speech pathologist assesses and treats speech disorders. This course, while not a substitute for formal training in speech pathology, may be helpful for a speech pathologist who seeks to deepen their knowledge of English sounds, articulation, and pronunciation; this is especially true for speech pathologists whose clients are learning English as a second language. The course details the mechanics of every possible English sound and it covers intonation, stress, and rhythm. The course's 'Regional Variations' section may also be helpful in understanding how accents vary.
Foreign Language Instructor
A foreign language instructor teaches students a new language. While the course centers on English, a foreign language instructor may find it useful due to the course's in-depth approach to pronunciation, articulation, and intonation. Understanding these aspects of English can give a foreign language instructor insights into how these elements function in language overall. The course's practical exercises may also give the language instructor ideas on how to structure their own curriculum. The section on English accents may also be useful for teaching pronunciation in other languages.
Corporate Trainer
A corporate trainer delivers training programs to employees for professional development. While this role is broad, it may prove useful for corporate trainers who must deliver presentations or facilitate learning sessions. The course may help a corporate trainer improve their spoken English, focusing on proper articulation, stress, and intonation. The course's emphasis on connected speech can also help a trainer to communicate more fluently and naturally. By mastering these elements, a corporate trainer can enhance their delivery and increase audience engagement.
ESL Curriculum Developer
An ESL curriculum developer creates lesson plans and materials for English as a second language programs. This course may be useful because of its detailed focus on pronunciation, articulation, and diverse English accents. The course's methodical approach to teaching these elements of spoken English will help the ESL curriculum developer design effective teaching strategies. The course content on stress, rhythm, and intonation may also be incorporated into ESL learning resources. The course can help a curriculum developer understand the nuances of English with greater expertise.
Interpreter
An interpreter facilitates communication between people who speak different languages and they must convey nuances of meaning. This course may be useful for an interpreter, particularly one who works with English, because it provides a deep dive into the complexities of spoken English. The course's comprehensive exploration of pronunciation, articulation, stress, rhythm, and intonation will give an interpreter a more nuanced understanding of how to convey meaning between languages. The course's focus on connected speech can further help the interpreter with fluent communication.
Translator
A translator converts written text from one language to another. A translator may find this course to be useful because it provides a deeper understanding of the nuances of the English language that they translate into. Although translators primarily work with written text, understanding the nuances of spoken English, such as pronunciation, articulation, stress, rhythm, and intonation may help them grasp meaning more fully when converting text. The course materials may also enhance the translator's overall language skills. The course's comprehensive nature makes it a potential asset.
Podcast Host
A podcast host records and presents audio content for an audience. This course may be useful as it covers elements crucial for effective spoken communication. The course teaches articulation, pronunciation, stress, and rhythm, which are essential for a host to sound clear and engaging. The course's section on intonation can help a podcast host vary their speech to capture listener interest. The focus on connected speech may help the host develop a more natural and fluent speaking style. By mastering these elements, a podcast host can greatly improve their audio delivery.
Actor
An actor portrays characters in theater, film, or other media. This course may help an actor explore the nuances of English pronunciation and accent variation. Since the course teaches aspects of clear and fluent speech such as articulation, stress, rhythm, and intonation, it may be useful to an actor who needs to convey character and emotion through their voice. And because the course also explores regional accents, an actor can use this information to bring a greater sense of authenticity to their work. The course's comprehensive approach may be insightful for an actor seeking to enhance their vocal performance skills.
Tour Guide
A tour guide leads groups of people through sites of interest, providing information and commentary. A tour guide may find this course to be useful due to its thorough coverage of English pronunciation. This role requires clear and engaging communication, and the course's focus on articulation, stress, rhythm, and intonation can help a tour guide speak with more clarity and confidence. The course's exploration of regional accents may also be helpful for a tour guide encountering visitors from diverse locations. The course's emphasis on connected speech can further help a guide deliver information in a natural and fluent style.
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative interacts with customers to provide information, handle complaints, and resolve issues. While this role does not typically require advanced speaking skills, this course could be useful for a customer service representative, especially those who work at an international company, or those that interact with customers in audio settings. The course's emphasis on clear pronunciation, articulation, and intonation can help representatives speak more understandably. By mastering these components, a customer service representative can improve customer satisfaction and reduce miscommunication during interactions. This can improve their overall service quality.

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Advanced English Speaking and Pronunciation Skills.
Comprehensive guide to English pronunciation, covering a wide range of topics from individual sounds to connected speech. It provides clear explanations and plenty of practice exercises, making it ideal for self-study or classroom use. It is particularly useful for learners who want to improve their pronunciation accuracy and fluency. This book can be used as a reference text throughout the course.
Focuses specifically on developing an American accent. It covers the key sounds, stress patterns, and intonation patterns of American English. It includes audio exercises and drills to help learners practice and improve their pronunciation. This book is best used as additional reading for those who want to focus on developing an American accent.

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