Exercise:

1. Listen to the recording and repeat each word or sentence in the same way as the speaker.

   (Do your best to imitate them!)

2. Voice-record yourself reading the words out loud

3. Play your voice recording audio and listen to your pronunciation

4. Compare with the original audio and Imitate the speaker

5. Send your voice recording to your language coach.

ACCENT DEVELOPMENT — LESSON 2: WORD PRONUNCIATION AND GUESSING

Level: A2–B2 Focus: Predicting pronunciation, identifying syllables, recognising word stress and using spelling clues to pronounce unfamiliar words.

1. RECOGNISE

Read each word aloud. Identify the number of syllables and underline the stressed syllable.

• photograph

• photography

• photographic

• comfortable

• opportunity

• independent

• pronunciation

• responsibility

Task: Clap or tap once for each syllable. Then say each word again, making the stressed syllable clearer.

2. UNDERSTAND

Words with related meanings can have different stress patterns. Recognising these patterns can help you pronounce longer words more naturally.

• PHO-to-graph

• pho-TOG-ra-phy

• pho-to-GRAPH-ic

Remember:

• A syllable contains a vowel sound, not necessarily just one written vowel.

• Longer words often contain unstressed syllables with a weak vowel sound, such as /ə/.

• Word endings can provide clues to stress, but there are exceptions.

• When you are unsure, predict first and then check a reliable British English dictionary.

3. PREDICT

Do not check a dictionary yet. For each word:

1. Divide it into syllables.

2. Predict which syllable is stressed.

3. Say the word aloud.

4. Check the pronunciation in a British English dictionary.

5. Note what you got right or wrong.

Words to investigate:

• analysis

• develop

• determined

• unfamiliar

• particularly

• extraordinary

• entrepreneur

• miscellaneous

Reflection: Which spelling clues helped you? Which words were harder to predict, and why?

4. PRACTISE

Read the sentences aloud. Focus on the stressed syllables in the bold words.

• We need to DEvelop a more effective strategy.

• This is a great opportunity to improve.

• Her pronunciation has become much clearer.

• The analysis revealed an unexpected problem.

• He was determined to achieve his goal.

• It was a particularly extraordinary experience.

Now repeat each sentence at a natural speaking speed. Avoid giving every syllable equal emphasis.

5. APPLY

Read the paragraph aloud twice.

An Unexpected Opportunity

Last year, I had an extraordinary opportunity to develop my professional skills. Although I was unfamiliar with some of the responsibilities, I was determined to improve. I analysed my mistakes, researched unfamiliar vocabulary and practised difficult pronunciations regularly. The experience taught me that progress requires patience, consistency and a willingness to learn.

Challenge: Choose five longer words from the paragraph. Mark the syllables and stress, check their pronunciations, and read the paragraph again.

6. RECORD

Record yourself answering these questions. Speak for approximately one minute.

• What is an opportunity you would like to have?

• What skill would you like to develop?

• What do you find particularly difficult when learning something new?

• How do you usually learn the pronunciation of unfamiliar words?

Listen to your recording and identify:

• Three words with clear word stress.

• Two words you mispronounced or hesitated over.

• One word you want to practise again.