Today, we look at some English words that are very difficult to pronounce.
And with a mini story, you will practice your English fluency by answering many questions.
Hi, everybody.
I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com.
My mission is to help you.
Before getting started, visit my website speakenglishpodcast.com slash podcast to get the transcript for free.
Okay, let's start.
Number 1.
Rural.
Rural can be challenging to pronounce, even for some native speakers, especially when repeated or placed next to a word with similar r sounds.
Let's pronounce it several times, listen and repeat rural rural, rural.
Okay, now let's hear some examples.
I would prefer to leave the city for a rural home.
She has a romantic view of rural society.
Number two, phenomenon.
This singular form of phenomena means an amazing event.
Pronounced as phenomenon.
So, let's practice the word phenomenon a little bit.
Listen and repeat.
Phenomenon Phenomenon Phenomenon Examples Gravity is a natural phenomenon.
This phenomenon is unique in nature.
Number three, sixth.
Adding a th after x can be tricky for many English students.
Let's pronounce it several times.
Sixth.
Sixth.
Sixth, examples.
The dictionary is now in its sixth edition.
She lives on the sixth floor.
Number four, specific.
This word is quite easy to pronounce, but it may be difficult for those who do not understand that S and C can have the same sound, although different within the same word.
Let's practice it.
Specific Specific Examples My boss gave me very specific instructions on dealing with a client.
If you want to be successful, you need to be more specific about what you want to do.
Number 5
Temperature.
For some students temperature is difficult to say quickly as the T takes on a CH sound.
Let's pronounce this word several times before using it in a sentence.
Listen and repeat after me.
Temperature Temperature.
Temperature.
Examples.
Let me check your temperature.
The temperature ranges from 0 to 20 degrees.
Okay, that's all for today.
I hope you had a good time practicing these complex words.
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Okay, now it's time for you to practice your speech with a mini-story.
What's a mini-story?
A mini-story is very simple.
I give you information using phrases, and then I ask you questions.
After each question, there will be some seconds of silence.
It's your turn to answer the question.
Just try to give an easy and a short answer, not a complex one.
After your answer, I'll give you the correct answer and, just like that, I'll tell you a story with questions and answers.
Are you ready?
Andy had trouble pronouncing specific words.
Was Andy talented at pronouncing words?
No no, he wasn't talented.
He had trouble pronouncing specific words.
Was it difficult for Andy to pronounce the word temperature?
Yes, it was difficult for him to pronounce the word temperature.
Did he also have trouble pronouncing the word rural?
Yes.
He also had trouble pronouncing the word rural.
It was really hard for Andy to say rural.
Did Andy have trouble pronouncing specific words?
Yes.
Specifically, Andy had trouble pronouncing pronouncing words like temperature, rural phenomenon.
Sixth and specific
A doctor advised Andy to read aloud with a mouth full of marbles.
Did a doctor advise Andy to read slowly?
No, he didn't advise him that.
He advised Andy to read aloud with a mouth full of marbles.
Marbles are small round glass toys.
What did the doctor advise Andy?
With a mouth full of marbles.
What did Andy's mouth have to be like?
Full.
Full of marbles.
After months of practice, Andy didn't see any improvement.
Did Andy see any improvement?
No, he didn't see any improvement.
Who didn't see any improvement?
The doctor?
No, no.
Not the doctor.
Andy.
Andy didn't see any improvement.
Desperately, Andy tried something obvious.
Reading aloud more slowly.
Did he try something strange or obvious?
Something obvious.
Andy tried something obvious.
Did Andy try playing with marbles?
No, he didn't try that.
He tried reading aloud more slowly.
What did he try?
He tried to read aloud more slowly.
Little by little, Andy found it easier to pronounce those tricky words.
No, it wasn't fast.
It was little by little.
Did he find it harder to pronounce those words?
Easier.
He found it easier, not harder.
Who found it easier?
Andy.
He found it easier.
Finally, Andy could pronounce all words correctly and threw away all those marbles.
Was Andy still having problems pronouncing specific words?
No, he didn't have any problems.
He could pronounce all words correctly.
What did Andy do with the marbles?
Did he keep them?
He didn't keep them.
He threw them away.
He threw away all the marbles.
Perfect!
It's the end of this mini-story.
As you can see through questions and answers, you can practice and improve your speech, just like in a real conversation.
It is one of the techniques that I use in my premium courses.
I recommend you to take a look at speakenglishpodcast.com slash courses.
Okay, we have reached the end of this episode.
Remember to listen to it several times.
It will help you with your English.
See you soon.
Bye bye.
