Search results for 'tag:Learn English tag:Accents' matching tags 'Learn English' and 'Accents'

Questions about flapping and glottalisation.

Lincoln Punch — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:42:32 GMT

Hello. I'm a student from Korea (South) trying to learn English based on received pronunciation. And it's kind of hard because everyone here tries to learn American English.

Here goes the questions:

1. I reckon Americans often use 'flapped d', but it seems that British people don't flap 'd' sound as much as Americans do.
Is it considered 'lazy' to flap 'd' pronunciation in British English? Like, when you say 'had a', or 'bad eighties'.

2. How about flapping 't' sound in one word? i.e., little, bottle...

3. Using glottalisation is THAT bad? I know it's originated from Cockney accent but I love the sound when 't' is glottalised.
If I glottalised the 't' sound when it's in end of the word, for example, 'I got a', 'about it', would I be considered as a 'lazy' speaker?

4. Am I using 'reckon' properly? :p

Sorry for asking so many questions, but I'm a very curious student.

Thanks for reading. Have a good one!

Re: I Want To Be Fluent English Speaker How Please?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 05:58:38 GMT

Hello to all,

I believe that to learn English depends of the interest of individual and depending of the English knowledge you wanted to learn. like for instance, if you want to speak English all you have to do is to listen very carefully to some tools such as CD, DVD, tapes etc. either audio or video, any kinds of topics as long as educational and knowledgeable and while you are listening just follow and speak what they are talking this is a training of the tongue or tongue twisting trying to develop proper accent, pronunciation, intonation etc, if any words you donât understand have your dictionary besides you and open it. next step just prepare any topics as guidelines [ prepare the main topics, sub topics and conclusion] prolong, elongate and expound the topics you wanted to discuss make it in English version at first you might have the difficulty to speak but try and try until your English would connect and connect at this point your trying to bridge the gap. What is needed in English is that at least you have many words to know {synonym and antonyms} is what i mean.

The basic training of English is that you have to speak English by any topics. I understand that for a person who lived {not speaking country have the difficulty to speak English} on my behalf, English education must start first on basic like for instance if you need English conversation find a person who could talk with you English, or else speak and talk English with yourself even if someone listening at you and say something you are a fool forget it. What is needed is you learn something and speak English. if you have the difficulty to write English just read books literatures etc at this point you can get many ideas and your vocabulary broadens, watch the period, punctuation, commas, etc, if you are not a good English listener try to listen English teachings, news whatever that could improve your English, the four pillars of English are: reading. Speaking, writing and listening, if you have this all then you can speak English although not fluent as what others did but at least you can communicate via reading, writing, listening and speak. Fluent English would follow donât give up keep trying until success.

I am a Filipino not an English speaker, writer, etc but in terms of communication i could communicate. For to me to learn English depends on individual. If we have the basic then we have to improve, have the desire, act on it, and apply no need a tutor individual interest is vital here. Donât be shy to speak English if the English is crooked and someone laughs at you accept it consider yourself that you are not an English person, perhaps the person who laughs at you donât know how to speak English and even to communicate with. Thereâs a saying goes: a noisy person have little knowledge than a silent one. in this world what is important is communication regardless of races, nationality and religion. a crooked English is better than nothing, a crooked or a carabao English has the opportunity to become fluent rather than nothing. but if you have nothing at all nobody blames except yourself, your making your own fate and destiny donât blame your parents and the government its your own decision for what you are now, your right decision now will be your future someday but if you donât plan or decision today do you think you have something to expect in the future. To speak English needs perseverance, long patience and determination to reach the goal this is fundamental requirements. people who cannot speak English has less opportunity to go abroad particularly in the open country, and thatâs the reason why I wanted to learn English even basic for this is my only tool to go to other countries if opportunities permit.

From Philippines,

Rene

Re: which accent?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:21:42 GMT

It realy depends on where you plan on doing business. I am told by individuals who are trying to learn English as a second language, that they find the general American accent (I suppose the one spoken by TV anchors: see The Today Show or Good Morning America) easier to understand than the British accent. So I guess in that aspect, the American accent would be preferable in the proffesional or business world. As an American, I find the British accent cool, but that could be just because its an accent other than my I own.

I say choose the accent where you will be. If you're going to be living and conducting business in the UK then by all means learn a British accent.

Re: the best way to learn english?

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:35:55 GMT

Speak without Fear

The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they wonât say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they donât talk at all. Donât do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it â again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Donât let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.

Use all of your Resources

Even if you study English at a language school it doesnât mean you canât learn outside of class. Using as many different sources, methods and tools as possible, will allow you to learn faster. There are many different ways you can improve your English, so donât limit yourself to only one or two. The internet is a fantastic resource for virtually anything, but for the language learner it's perfect.

Surround Yourself with English

The absolute best way to learn English is to surround yourself with it. Take notes in English, put English books around your room, listen to English language radio broadcasts, watch English news, movies and television. Speak English with your friends whenever you can. The more English material that you have around you, the faster you will learn and the more likely it is that you will begin âthinking in English.â .

Listen to Native Speakers as Much as Possible

There are some good English teachers that have had to learn English as a second language before they could teach it. However, there are several reasons why many of the best schools prefer to hire native English speakers. One of the reasons is that native speakers have a natural flow to their speech that students of English should try to imitate. The closer ESL / EFL students can get to this rhythm or flow, the more convincing and comfortable they will become.

Watch English Films and Television

This is not only a fun way to learn but it is also very effective. By watching English films (especially those with English subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. If you listen to the news you can also hear different accents.

Listen to English Music

Music can be a very effective method of learning English. In fact, it is often used as a way of improving comprehension. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read them as the artist sings. There are several good internet sites where one can find the words for most songs. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, fine.

Study As Often As Possible!

Only by studying things like grammar and vocabulary and doing exercises, can you really improve your knowledge of any language.

Do Exercises and Take Tests

Many people think that exercises and tests aren't much fun. However, by completing exercises and taking tests you can really improve your English. One of the best reasons for doing lots of exercises and tests is that they give you a benchmark to compare your future results with. Often, it is by comparing your score on a test you took yesterday with one you took a month or six months ago that you realize just how much you have learned. If you never test yourself, you will never know how much you are progressing. Start now by doing some of the many exercises and tests on this site, and return in a few days to see what you've learned. Keep doing this and you really will make some progress with English.

Record Yourself

Nobody likes to hear their own voice on tape but like tests, it is good to compare your tapes from time to time. You may be so impressed with the progress you are making that you may not mind the sound of your voice as much.

Listen to English

By this, we mean, speak on the phone or listen to radio broadcasts, audiobooks or CDs in English. This is different than watching the television or films because you canât see the person that is speaking to you. Many learners of English say that speaking on the phone is one of the most difficult things that they do and the only way to improve is to practice.

Finally

Have fun!

Re: How to learn English from music/songs?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:07:29 GMT

Teroff wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

Grammar, ok, I think you are right. In a song, I can learn new words, pronunciation, maybe...accent...and so on. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree with you.

P.S.

Is this true to use
Anonymous wrote:
Do you agree?
or better to use Are you agree?

I think we should use "do" in this case. Why did you say "are" instead of "do"? Maybe, "Are you agree" is a new structure.?!

Re: How to learn English from music/songs?

Teroff — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:49:52 GMT

Anonymous wrote:

Grammar, ok, I think you are right. In a song, I can learn new words, pronunciation, maybe...accent...and so on. Do you agree?

Yes, I agree with you.

P.S.

Is this true to use

Anonymous wrote:
Do you agree?

or better to use Are you agree?

Re: How to learn English from music/songs?

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:30:46 GMT

Teroff wrote:
Hello. I think this is bad idea to learn English from musics and other.

First of all you must learn a gramma and after that you may learn English from Music/song, but not gramma only vocabulary bank.

But this is my IMHO

Sometimes I thought of it as you did.
But I take me back in time, when I was a kid, I just listen, listen, and listen...and I speak. I think learning English from songs is one of the ways to improve your skills. It must be accompanied with other ways not only way.
Grammar, ok, I think you are right. In a song, I can learn new words, pronunciation, maybe...accent...and so on. Do you agree?

Re: Why do english boys like french accents???

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 09:32:45 GMT

I can understand what you mean Sylvie, I too am a woman with a french accent and it amazes me that so many english speaking boys are attracted to it! I have come to find that many men find it attractive because it is like having in their minds a rare possession and something not many others can have. Like forbidden fruit almost. I moved to America on an exchange for college and its amazing how many people both men and women consider out accents attractive. I do not like my accent either but they do!! You can learn english well and they will still like you because the accent stays always!! I hope that helps some.

Au Revoir,

KaChereaeDienna

Re: I want to improve my English speaking and listening skills

Nikhils — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 05:36:16 GMT

Anonymous wrote:

hi i'm

Suresh.K from India. I want to improve my English skill. Kindly I need some help from you. Because I did M.C.A, but Iâm boor in English that why reason I havenât get a job from any MNC. I have a knowledge in my subject, IT fields required good communication skills(English). But my mother tongue is Tamil. My school study was tamil & college was in English.

I kindly request you to need some useful advice from you.

Thanking you

K.Suresh

S.India

Hi Suresh.

You could visit www.lotuslearning.com for more information on how to get a nice program to help you learn Spoken English. However, having a little experience in the feild I could recommend a product called Business English or Linguaphone 21. Both are products designed to help you learn english with a global accent.
These programs are not free of cost yet though. But I think for the benefits you get, they are very resonably priced.

Let me know if you need any other information.

Re: i have allday to studying english

Kooyeen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:34:43 GMT

Quangtrungvtv wrote:
if i have 12 hours a day to study english

Good, that's the only real way to learn English. Using it a lot (= most of the time).

Tips:
0) You should decide what variety you want to focus on (usually either British or American English), because there are some differences, especially in vocabulary.

1) Get a bilingual dictionary (English / Your first language). Dictionaries on CD-ROM or on the net are better because you can find every word extremely quickly.

2) Get a monolingual dictionary (English with English Definition). Longman have some good ones that are vital for every learner. There are several dictionaries for learners, anyway, as I said, dictionaries on CD-ROM or on the net are better. Longman, Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries are also available online for free.

3) Get a basic grammar book. Cambridge ones (by Murphy) are pretty good. I would avoid anything by Michael Swan, I think his grammars are confusing. Unfortunatley, every grammar book for ESL learners seems to focus only on British English.

4) Practice, but try not to make mistakes, otherwise you'll also be practicing "bad English". Post here in the forum, think in English, read English stuff (good English though, and on the net there's a lot of non-native bad English, so be careful).

5) This is the last point but it should be the most important one: learn how to pronounce words in a decent way, improve your pronunciation. Choose what variety you want to learn (usually either American English or British English), and use that accent when you read or think in English. If you don't do so, you are not going to practice listening, because you are not going to understand. And listening is the last step... you should practice listening too, once you are skilled enough to understand the general meaning.

End of my tips.