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 INITIATION — LESSON 1: CONSONANT CONTROL

Modern British English · Estimated time: 60–90 minutes

Objective: Improve consonant accuracy through repetition, practical sentences and independent speaking.

1. Voiced vs. voiceless consonants

Instruction: Say each pair aloud five times. Feel the difference in throat vibration.

• /p/ – /b/: pen – Ben

• /t/ – /d/: ten – den

• /f/ – /v/: fan – van

• /s/ – /z/: sip – zip

• /θ/ – /ð/: think – this

Sentence practice: Repeat each sentence three times.

• Peter bought a better phone.

• She thinks this is the best solution.

• Those visitors arrived this Thursday.

2. The TH sounds: /θ/ and /ð/

Instruction: Place your tongue lightly between your teeth. Practise the sounds before reading the sentences.

• /θ/: think, three, thought, healthy, both

• /ð/: this, that, they, mother, another

Sentence practice: Repeat slowly, then at a natural pace.

• I think that this is the right thing to do.

• They thanked their mother for everything.

• Three people arrived thirty minutes late.

• Both of them thought it was worth the effort.

3. Sibilants and affricates

Instruction: Practise the contrasts. Keep /s/ distinct from /ʃ/, and /tʃ/ distinct from /dʒ/.

• see – she

• sip – ship

• cheap – jeep

• choke – joke

• measure – pleasure

Sentence practice:

• She chose a cheap shirt from the shop.

• Jane usually checks the schedule.

• His decision changed the situation.

• We discussed the issue and reached a decision.

4. Final consonants

Instruction: Pronounce the endings clearly without adding an extra vowel. Practise the words before the sentences.

• cap – cab

• rice – rise

• safe – save

• worked – played – wanted

Sentence practice:

• I worked late last night.

• She played tennis after work.

• We walked back to the station.

• They wanted to change the plan.

• He asked his manager to explain the next step.

5. Consonant clusters

Instruction: Practise each cluster without inserting an extra vowel or dropping a consonant.

• /pl/: plan, place, please

• /tr/: train, travel, treatment

• /str/: street, strong, strategy

• /spr/: spring, spread, sprint

• Final clusters: asked, helped, next, months

Sentence practice:

• We planned three trips last spring.

• She speaks clearly about complex problems.

• The next task requires strong concentration.

• I asked for practical advice before starting.

• The students discussed the strengths of the strategy.

6. Connected speech

Instruction: Link words naturally while keeping the consonants clear. Repeat each phrase three times.

• pick it up

• take it away

• check it again

• send it over

• last time

• next station

Sentence practice:

• Can you pick it up and put it away?

• I checked it again before sending the message.

• We had a good day despite the bad weather.

• The next station is close to the city centre.

7. Mixed pronunciation activation

Instruction: Read each sentence three times. First slowly, then naturally, then without looking at the text.

• I thought the students would finish before Thursday.

• The three strongest candidates prepared thoroughly.

• She chose a practical strategy to strengthen her communication skills.

• We changed the schedule because the weather was getting worse.

• Their decision to invest in professional training proved worthwhile.

• I appreciate the advice, although I still need to consider the alternatives.

8. Independent speaking

Instruction: Record yourself speaking for two minutes. Use the target sounds naturally rather than forcing them into every sentence.

Topic: How can regular practice help someone become more confident at work?

After recording:

• Identify three words you struggled to pronounce.

• Repeat each word five times.

• Practise each word in a complete sentence.

• Record your answer again and compare the results.

9. Final pronunciation challenge

Instruction: Read the paragraph aloud twice. Then cover it and explain the same ideas in your own words.

Three months ago, I decided to strengthen my communication skills. I thought the best approach was to practise regularly, listen carefully and ask for useful feedback. Although the process was challenging at first, I gradually became more confident. I now understand that consistent practice is essential if I want to make lasting progress.

Completion target: Practise the sounds in isolation, use them in sentences, and finish by applying them in spontaneous speech.