Master English Pronunciation (RP or 'BBC English') from Udemy

This course delves into the details of the UK accent known as Received Pronunciation, BBC English, or The Queen's English. The accent is actually one of many in the UK, but it has long been considered 'a gold standard', so it is this form of pronunciation that we find in Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries. As you progress through the course, you will learn all the consonant and vowel sounds, examining how they are pronounced and spelt. Spelling irregularities, a notorious difficulty of the English language, are one of the many topics that are repeated to ensure that you memorize the sounds and corresponding spelling. You will swiftly learn the phonetic IPA symbols while watching the lectures and doing the quizzes. And by the end of the course, you will be able to speak clearly, concisely, and coherently, just as the presenters on the BBC do.

The following materials are included:

Downloadable lectures (via the Udemy App), so you may watch them on any device at any time (UK native teacher with 20 years' experience)
Lectures cover the consonant sounds (fricatives, plosives, approximants), vowel sounds (short, long, and diphthong), silent letters, homophones, stress, tongue twisters, poems, and typical mistakes.
After each lecture, a quiz follows which tests your understanding of the topic. These quizzes enable you to memorize the IPA symbols, the spelling irregularities, and the subtle nuances between slightly different sounds.
PDFs are included in each section that have numerous tongue twisters to help you get your mouth around the weird and wonderful sounds of the mighty English language. Video lectures are included so that you can practice these difficult sounds.
Some of my favourite poems are included in this course; I feel that poetry and songs are enjoyable and effective ways to improve your pronunciation. One must pronounce with passion.
Typical pronunciation mistakes examined
Ask me questions on those topics which cause the most confusion, and I answer all your questions within 24 hours on the Q and A section. I will be with you at every step of this course
Lifetime membership (more lessons and resources added every month)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Confidently identify and correctly pronounce voiced and unvoiced fricatives (θ, ð , f, v, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, ʈʃ, dʒ )
Confidently identify and correctly pronounce voiced and unvoiced plosives (p, b, t, d, g, k)
Memorize the sounds contained in regular spelling patterns
Memorize a large number of homophones and stress patterns

Memorize a large number of spelling irregularities and silent letters
Confidently identify and correctly pronounce approximants and nasals
Confidently identify and correctly pronounce short vowels, long vowels, and diphthongs
Master the pronunciation of poems, songs, and tongue twisters

Confidently identify and correctly pronounce voiced and unvoiced fricatives (θ, ð , f, v, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, ʈʃ, dʒ )
Confidently identify and correctly pronounce voiced and unvoiced plosives (p, b, t, d, g, k)
Memorize the sounds contained in regular spelling patterns
Memorize a large number of homophones and stress patterns
Memorize a large number of spelling irregularities and silent letters
Confidently identify and correctly pronounce approximants and nasals
Confidently identify and correctly pronounce short vowels, long vowels, and diphthongs
Master the pronunciation of poems, songs, and tongue twisters

Syllabus

Introduction

How to sharpen your pronunciation skills

Indicative Fricatives

Voiced and Voiceless TH

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Focuses on Received Pronunciation, which is often considered a 'gold standard' accent and is commonly used in dictionaries and by BBC presenters

Includes downloadable lectures, quizzes, and PDFs, providing a multi-modal approach to learning and reinforcing pronunciation skills through various methods

Examines typical pronunciation mistakes made by English learners, directly addressing common challenges and providing targeted practice to overcome them

Features tongue twisters and poems, offering enjoyable and effective ways to improve pronunciation and master difficult sounds through engaging content

Requires learners to memorize IPA symbols, spelling irregularities, and subtle nuances between sounds, which may be challenging for some learners

Covers silent letters, homophones, and stress patterns, which are notoriously difficult aspects of English pronunciation and require dedicated memorization

Reviews summary

Mastering rp english pronunciation

According to learners, this course offers a highly detailed and effective approach to mastering Received Pronunciation (RP) or 'BBC English'. Students consistently praise the instructor's clarity, expertise, and engaging teaching style. The course provides a systematic breakdown of English sounds, covering consonants, vowels, diphthongs, silent letters, and stress patterns, often using the IPA phonetic symbols which learners find easy to grasp. The inclusion of practical exercises such as tongue twisters, minimal pairs, and even poems and songs is frequently highlighted as enjoyable and beneficial for practice. While the course is thorough, prospective students should be aware that significant personal practice outside of the lectures is essential for real improvement, as noted by several reviewers.

Specific focus on one UK accent (RP).

"Be aware this focuses only on RP; if you want another accent, look elsewhere."

"Excellent for learning the classic 'BBC' sound I was aiming for."

"Covers the specific nuances of Received Pronunciation very well."

Well-structured with helpful quizzes.

"The course structure is logical and easy to follow."

"Quizzes after each section help reinforce learning."

"The flow from one topic to the next felt very natural."

Exercises like tongue twisters are helpful.

"The tongue twisters were challenging but really fun and useful for practice."

"Minimal pairs and other exercises helped me distinguish subtle differences."

"Using poems and songs makes practicing pronunciation much more enjoyable."

"PDFs provided are great resources for reviewing and practicing."

Covers all sounds systematically with IPA.

"I learned all the vowel and consonant sounds, the IPA is explained simply."

"The breakdown of each individual sound is incredibly thorough."

"Covers difficult sounds and common mistakes very well."

"Loved learning the IPA symbols alongside the sounds."

Instructor is knowledgeable and easy to follow.

"The instructor is very clear and explains everything in detail."

"His expertise and passion for the subject shine through."

"Excellent teacher, very articulate and easy to understand."

"The instructor's native accent is perfect for demonstrating RP."

Improvement needs practice beyond lectures.

"This course gives you the tools, but you MUST practice constantly to see results."

"It's not a magic bullet, expect to spend a lot of time repeating sounds."

"Improving pronunciation is hard work, this course is a great guide but needs commitment."

"While lectures are informative, consistent personal practice is key for progress."

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 Master English Pronunciation (RP or 'BBC English') with these activities:

Review IPA Symbols

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Reviewing the IPA symbols will provide a solid foundation for understanding the course material and improve your ability to accurately pronounce words.

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Download an IPA chart.
Study the symbols and their corresponding sounds.
Practice transcribing words using IPA.

Read 'English Pronunciation in Use' (Cambridge)

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Reading 'English Pronunciation in Use' will provide a comprehensive overview of English pronunciation and supplement the course material.

View Authentic Listening Resource Pack: Bridging the... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'English Pronunciation in Use'.
Work through the units focusing on RP.
Complete the exercises and listen to the audio materials.

Practice Minimal Pairs

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Practicing minimal pairs will help you distinguish between similar sounds and improve your pronunciation accuracy.

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Find a list of minimal pairs for RP.
Listen to the correct pronunciation of each word.
Record yourself saying the words and compare.

Four other activities

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Explore 'Accents of English' by John Esling

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Exploring 'Accents of English' will broaden your understanding of different accents and provide context for RP.

View Voice Quality on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Accents of English'.
Read the chapter on Received Pronunciation.
Compare RP to other accents described in the book.

Record Yourself Reading Aloud

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Recording yourself reading aloud and comparing it to native speakers will help you identify areas for improvement and refine your pronunciation.

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Select a passage in RP English.
Record yourself reading the passage.
Compare your recording to a native speaker's recording.
Identify areas where your pronunciation differs.

Follow BBC Pronunciation Guides

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Following BBC pronunciation guides will provide practical examples and exercises to improve your RP pronunciation.

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Search for BBC pronunciation guides online.
Watch the videos and listen to the audio examples.
Practice the exercises and repeat the phrases.

Help Others with Pronunciation

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Helping others with pronunciation reinforces your own understanding and identifies areas where you may need further practice.

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Find a language exchange partner.
Listen to their pronunciation and provide feedback.
Explain the rules of RP pronunciation.

Career center

Learners who complete Master English Pronunciation (RP or 'BBC English') will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Accent Coach

Accent coaches work with clients to modify or adopt specific accents. This course, focusing on Received Pronunciation, provides an in-depth understanding of a prominent English accent. The comprehensive coverage of consonant and vowel sounds, spelling irregularities, and stress patterns will help one accurately teach this accent to others. An accent coach can use the course’s tongue twisters, poems, and songs to provide effective practice material for their clients. The master of subtleties in pronunciation is helpful for precision in teaching.

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English Teacher

An English teacher must have an excellent command of spoken English for instruction. This course, which delves into the details of Received Pronunciation, also known as BBC English, helps build a strong foundation in the nuances of English pronunciation. This is particularly suited to non native English teachers who are looking to demonstrate a solid grasp of Received Pronunciation. It can help with mastering the subtleties of pronunciation, including voiced and unvoiced fricatives and plosives. The included tongue twisters, poems, and songs could be used as part of a lesson, helping the English teacher better demonstrate pronunciation.

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ESL Instructor

ESL Instructors need to be able to clearly demonstrate the correct pronunciation of English words. This course concentrates on Received Pronunciation, BBC English, or The Queen's English. ESL instructors can learn the consonant and vowel sounds, how they are pronounced, and how they are spelt. With the knowledge gained from this course, an ESL instructor will be able to quickly teach phonetic IPA symbols, spelling irregularities, and the nuances between slightly different sounds.

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Radio Presenter

The role of radio presenter requires clear, articulate, and engaging speech. This course, which specializes in Received Pronunciation (RP or 'BBC English'), is particularly suited. The course covers the consonant and vowel sounds, examines how they are pronounced, and explains how they are spelt. Also useful are the sections on silent letters, homophones, stress, tongue twisters, poems, and typical mistakes This also provides the radio presenter with the ability to speak clearly, concisely, and coherently, just as the presenters do on the BBC.

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Broadcast Journalist

Broadcast journalists often need to have clear and articulate speech. This course, with its focus on Received Pronunciation (also known as BBC English), provides a pathway to mastering a standard form of English pronunciation. The thorough coverage of consonant and vowel sounds helps achieve a polished and professional delivery. A broadcast journalist may find the sections on stress patterns and common pronunciation mistakes particularly beneficial. The ability to speak clearly and concisely is paramount for broadcast journalists.

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Voice-Over Artist

Voice over artists rely on clear and articulate speech and can benefit from mastering Received Pronunciation. This course focuses on Received Pronunciation, often considered a 'gold standard' in English accents, providing a comprehensive exploration of consonant and vowel sounds. The focus on spelling irregularities, homophones, and stress patterns makes it particularly useful. A voice over artist looking to enhance their clarity and precision can benefit by memorizing IPA symbols and mastering a variety of sounds through poetry and song, which are components of the course.

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Public Speaker

Public speakers must possess the ability to articulate clearly and confidently. This course, by focusing on Received Pronunciation, helps public speakers refine their pronunciation for greater impact. The examination of consonant and vowel sounds builds a solid foundation for clear speech. The sections on stress patterns and common pronunciation mistakes may be especially advantageous for public speakers aiming to enhance their delivery. Confidently identifying and correctly pronouncing sounds allows for the focus to be on the content, not the delivery.

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Speech Pathologist

Speech pathologists require a deep understanding of phonetics and articulation to diagnose and treat speech disorders. This course, with its detailed examination of Received Pronunciation, provides a solid foundation in English phonetics. The detailed analysis of consonant and vowel sounds, combined with the practice of identifying and correcting pronunciation mistakes, helps one gain valuable insights. The section on voiced and unvoiced fricatives and approximants may be particularly helpful, as may the included materials to assist with mastering subtleties of correct English pronunciation.

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Communications Trainer

Communications trainers need to be able to teach others effective communication skills, including clear pronunciation. This course, with its emphasis on Received Pronunciation, provides a structured approach to understanding and improving English pronunciation. The detailed analysis of consonant and vowel sounds can provide trainers with the knowledge to guide their clients. The sections on common pronunciation mistakes and stress patterns help trainers address specific challenges. Mastering subtle nuances of pronunciation will give credibility to a communications trainer when instructing others.

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Drama Teacher

Drama teachers often work with students on voice projection and articulation. This course, focusing on Received Pronunciation, helps drama teachers provide a model for clear and precise speech. The detailed exploration of consonant and vowel sounds builds a solid foundation for vocal training. The course's materials, including tongue twisters and poems, can be used as exercises for students to improve their pronunciation. Students can master a variety of different sounds.

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Linguist

Linguists study language and its structure, including phonetics and phonology. This course, focusing on Received Pronunciation, may offer valuable insights into the specifics of this English accent. The detailed exploration of consonant and vowel sounds, spelling irregularities, and stress patterns provides a practical understanding of phonetics. Linguists can benefit from the course's emphasis on identifying and pronouncing various sounds, as this will enhance their understanding of English phonology.

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Interpreter

Interpreters need a strong command of English and an understanding of various accents. This course, concentrating on Received Pronunciation, helps refine a good English accent. The detailed lessons on consonant and vowel sounds may be particularly helpful when trying to interpret from or to someone using Received Pronunciation. The coverage of spelling irregularities and homophones will help you understand nuances when spelling may be difficult to ascertain in conversation. This course may be useful for developing a strong, neutral base accent.

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YouTuber

To succeed as a Youtuber, especially one that is educational or instructional, clear and effective communication is required. Clarity of speech is important for listener comprehension and understanding. This course provides training to speak clearly, concisely, and coherently, just as the presenters do on the BBC. The focus on Received Pronunciation, also known as BBC English, demonstrates a gold standard of English pronunciation. The lectures cover the consonant sounds, vowel sounds, silent letters, homophones, stress, tongue twisters, and poems. The course is useful for those whose first language is not English.

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Customer Service Representative

A Customer service representative must be able to communicate clearly with the customer, to understand the issue, and to offer a clear solution. This course, with its focus on Received Pronunciation, helps build effective English pronunciation leading to better communication. There are lectures which cover the consonant sounds, vowel sounds, silent letters, homophones, stress, tongue twisters, poems, and typical mistakes. Better communication leads to better customer service and customer satisfaction. The ability to confidently identify and correctly pronounce sounds makes this course useful.

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Recruiter

The role of recruiter requires that job candidates and hiring managers can be easily understood. Recruiters may interview many English as a second language speakers, and it is useful for them to understand a wide range of accents. This course covers the consonant and vowel sounds, examines how they are pronounced, and explains how they are spelt. Also useful are the sections on silent letters, homophones, stress, tongue twisters, poems, and typical mistakes This may be useful for the recruiter to understand job candidates and hiring managers.

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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 Master English Pronunciation (RP or 'BBC English').

Authentic Listening Resource Pack

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Widely used resource for learners of English pronunciation. It provides clear explanations, practical exercises, and audio materials to help you improve your pronunciation skills. It is particularly useful for understanding the nuances of RP and other British accents. This book is commonly used as a textbook at academic institutions.

Authentic Listening Resource Pack: Bridging the gap...

Paperback

$$$

Voice Quality

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Provides a detailed overview of various English accents, including RP. It delves into the phonetic and phonological features of each accent, offering a deeper understanding of pronunciation variations. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It is helpful in providing background knowledge on accents.

Master English Pronunciation (RP or 'BBC English')

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Mastering rp english pronunciation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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