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Fun Easy English Classroom April 16
 

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American English
pronunciation
lesson 13
American English Pronunciation Lesson 13

Today in the Fun Easy English classroom you are going to learn to pronounce the sound ow as in the words mountain, house, now, crown. Remember "practice makes perfect" if you want to improve your English speaking ability.
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Pronunciation: American English Lesson 13

Pronounce the sound ow as in the words mountain, house, now, crown. Watch the following pronunciation videos and learn to pronounce this sound correctly.
 
Video: American English Pronunciation Lesson 13
Spelling
ou sound, round, mountain, house, mouse, cloud
ow now, crowd, brown, crown, cow, owl, clown
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound
 
Sound: Voiced and Unvoiced

This is a VOICED sound which means Your Vocal Cords DO vibrate when making this sound.
You CAN LISTEN to your Vocal Cords vibrating if you cover your ears with your hands.

Try covering your ears with your hands as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. Can you listen to your vocal cords vibrating?
VERY GOOD
You CAN FEEL your Vocal Cords vibrating if you place your hands on your neck.

Try placing your hands on your neck as Akiko is doing in the picture.

Now make the sound of this lesson. Can you feel your vocal cords vibrating?
VERY GOOD
The following diagram shows the most important parts of your head and mouth used for pronouncing the sounds of English. It also shows the location of your Vocal Cords.
 
Position: Mouth, lips, and tongue

The following descriptions explain the proper mouth, lips, and tongue position when you make this sound.
Mouth

Your mouth should be slightly tense.
Lips

Your lips should be unrounded.
Tongue

The middle part of your tongue should be in the center part of your mouth.
Practice video

Listen to the video and practice repeating each word.
 
 
Pronunciation practice words

Look at your mouth in a mirror and practice pronouncing the following words. Make sure your mouth, lips, and tongue are in their proper positions.
sound now round crowd
mountain brown house crown
mouse cow cloud clown
 
Note: the red letters all have the same sound (watch the video above)
 
Pronunciation word test
Test: Pronunciation word test

Choose the correct letter or letters to complete each of the following words.
1.  s_ _nd
2.  n_ _
3.  r_ _nd
4.  cr_ _d
5.  m_ _ntain
6.  br_ _n
7.  h_ _se
8.  cr_ _n
9.  c_ _
10.  cl_ _d
Note: the letter or letters needed to complete each word all have the same sound.
From YOUR Teacher: How Now Brown Cow

The phrase "How Now Brown Cow" has no meaning but it is a good way to practice the "ow" sound.
 
Additional Lessons
About These Lessons

The following classroom lessons are great for students who want additional conversation, listening, and reading practice.
  • Conversation Lesson - Beginner Level. Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language with a written conversation and a conversation notes section.
Conversation Lesson 24 - Animals
(Beginner - Conversation, Reading)

Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language.
Animals

Connie: That’s a beautiful cat. I wonder who it belongs to.

Gary: It belongs to the Browns. They live across the street from us. They have three cats, two dogs, and a canary.

Connie: They certainly must like pets! But how do all those animals get along with each other?

Gary: Don’t ask me. Ask the Browns!
Conversation Notes
  • Who it belongs to
  • Note the word order of this indirect question. The preposition naturally falls at the end. (I wonder whom it belongs to and I wonder to whom it belongs are also “grammatically correct” but sound awkward and inappropriate in this context.)
  • three cats, two dogs, and a canary
  • Note there is a rising intonation on the first two elements of the series.
  • They certainly must like pets
  • This is the must of supposition or logical inference (see Lesson 21).
  • get along with each other
  • Meaning is live harmoniously and compatibly.
Source: U.S. State Department
Additional Conversation
Conversation

This is a collection of 36 situational conversations which focus on spoken American English in a relatively natural way....these lessons are for intermediate students.
Conversation

This is a collection of 30 situational conversations. Each conversation is accompanied by language notes....these lessons are for advanced students.
Conversation

English conversation lessons. 52 lessons covering pronunciation, speaking, writing, and grammar topics....these lessons are for beginning students.
Conversation

English conversation lessons. 30 lessons focusing mostly on communication and grammar topics....these lessons are for intermediate students.
 
Additional Information
Avoid Ineffective Study Methods

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Pronunciation by Training Your Ears

The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
Improve Your Long-Term Memory by Spacing Practice

The lesson includes an audio program explaining this topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section, and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program

Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
 
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