So important is to write well in a language , the speak it correctlyHowever, it's possible that you might be more proficient in one method than the other. Currently, both aspects are taken into account in the work and academic environmentSince professional work takes place in diverse settings, from international meetings to job interviews in English, working in both disciplines is the best guarantee of a full learning, so today we bring you an interesting tool to work on using the correct pronunciation of English words.
What is WikSpeak and why does it help with correct pronunciation?
This very useful resource es WikSpeak, a simple and practical program with which you can not only check in writing the English phoneticsbut it will allow you listen to the correct pronunciationIn other words, you'll be able to read how a word is pronounced by its phonetic transcription and listen to it at the same time, which reinforces the student's auditory and visual memory.
WikSpeak gets the phonetic transcription from the renowned website Wordreference and download the audio files from the dictionary for English learners of Merriam-Webster (learnersdictionary.com)In this way, the user is assured of working with reliable and standard pronunciations English.
The application can act as two different modesIn the first, the user enters the word they wish to transcribe into a text box and presses the Enter key: WikSpeak displays its phonetic transcription and plays the word through the speakers. In the second, called Automatic modeWikSpeak interacts with the clipboard and performs both operations every time a word is copied to it, which greatly speeds up consultation while you study or browse the Internet.
The app can download to the computer or used online from the developer's own website. The interface is simple and clearIt takes up hardly any space on the desk and is very effective to have open while studying vocabulary, reading texts in English, or preparing for an oral exam.
WikSpeak is a FOSSIt was created using open-source code through the SourceForge project development platform. The project website is [website address missing]. WikSpeak you will be able to find as many useful resources referred to dictionaries, utilities of phonetic transcription...and even a help and consultation forum. For home use, as a complement to English studies, and for the classroom, as a support tool for lessons, this resource will become essential for improve and advance in learning.
In many language schools And academies recommend the use of WikSpeak to students, as it allows them to learn the pronunciation of virtually any word Learn English quickly. First, the phonetic transcription appears, which is essential for understanding each sound, and then the native pronunciation is reproduced, so the student can imitate the correct model and repeat it as many times as necessary.
Advantages of using WikSpeak in your daily study
The best thing about it is not only its ease of use, but also its Rib, since it is completely free . That combination of zero price and high utility This makes it an excellent option for self-taught students, teachers who want extra resources for their classes, and people who need to perfect their pronunciation for professional reasons.
If you decide to use it on your computer, you can download it directly from their website by accessing the section downloadAlthough it's not very complicated, on the website itself... WikSpeak You have the guidance on your Installation and uninstallation both in Windows and in LinuxFurthermore, being free software, it has a community that corrects errors and proposes improvements.
Another advantage is that, by integrating audio and phoneticsWikSpeak helps you associate each word with its specific sounds. This is especially useful for Spanish speakers, who tend to have problems pronouncing certain words in English Because many letter combinations are pronounced differently than they are spelled, consistently working with these types of tools reduces common errors and improves fluency. oral comprehension.
Have the English level Whether you have a basic, intermediate or advanced level, the program can meet your needs: from those who are starting out and need a clear guide to avoid acquiring bad pronunciation habits, to those preparing for official exams and needing to fine-tune every last phonetic nuance.
We hope you get the most out of it and that it will be very useful in your upcoming courses, studies, or personal proyectos related to English.
Other key resources for improving English pronunciation
I know that the approximate pronunciation I use in my articles isn't quite right, and that this has sparked a debate (more debate) on this blog, with opinions to suit all tastes. I've decided to create a section where I can gather all those pages related to... Phonetics and pronunciation, which will help us achieve our main objective: improve English pronunciation.
1) The first step involves learning the phonetic alphabet. To do this, you must download SEPHONICS to your computer, an exceptional freeware program that teaches you the phonetic alphabet with exercises. One of my commenters recommended it to me and I found it excellent. Thank you so much, Fredy!
Why do we need to learn the phonetic alphabet? No, it's not nonsense or a waste of time, as it might initially seem. The phonetic alphabet becomes especially important if you intend to Learn English online and without the help of a teacher. Since No word in English is pronounced the same as it is written.It is necessary to learn the sound on the one hand and, on the other, how to spell the word. This is not the case in Spanish, whose pronunciation rules are more stable and, consequently, do not present major difficulties. But in English, the only correct way to transcribe the sound is by using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IFA)Since the sounds of Spanish are too far removed from those of English and are not useful as a reference; especially if you don't have a native speaker next to you to correct your pronunciation.
You can continue practicing the sounds with this table (British English).
If you are interested in American EnglishLook here. Also look here. These pages were recommended by Simonusa, a forum visitor. Thanks, Simonusa!
In this video British English teachers explain English sounds very well. Highly recommended. Thanks, Shakti!
2) Download this program in its trial version to see how accurate your pronunciation is. With this program, you listen to a teacher say phrases or words, and then you record the same phrase or word in your own voice. The program will indicate your accuracy as a percentage; for example, you are 20-30-60% accurate. native pronunciation (English or American).
3) What sounds should you pay attention to? In addition to the fact that there are a number of English ones vowel sounds which do not exist in Spanish (look here), when you speak English natives quickly know that you are a Spanish speaker because you mispronounce certain key sounds.
Enter the word you don't know how to pronounce on this page. A voice will tell you how it sounds. Here's also a fantastic page that teaches you how to pronounce words. pronounce the vowelsOcean's contribution. Thank you!
Listen to all the sounds with examples here. My advice: He spends several days trying to imitate the sounds from the examples.
4) What should be done with all these new sounds?
You have to memorize them. I'll repeat it to make it perfectly clear: You have to memorize the sounds of English. Why? Because if you simply read them, you'll never truly internalize them, and therefore you'll continue speaking with an accent that sounds more like "Spanish with an English accent" (if English speakers look confused when you speak to them in English, it's a clear sign that you're speaking Spanish with an English accent), and worse still, you won't understand what they're saying to you.
Think that you visual memory It's much more powerful than auditory learning, and since you know how to read, you only remember how to spell the words. That's knowing how to read in Spanish, but it's not knowing English.
I don't know if an example will make what I'm saying even clearer. I often teach that the word money, "money" In English, you don't say [moni] but [peanut]Well, I can correct the pronunciation of this word ten or twenty times for the student, and the next time he'll still say "moni." Why? Because he visualizes it in his mind and reads it in Spanish. Therefore, I have to be very firm and make him repeat the word many more times than initially seemed necessary.
How are these sounds memorized? A good way to do this is to take an audio file (mp3, CD, tape, etc.) and the audio transcriptāthat is, a text where you can follow along with the sound and the corresponding written words. You shouldn't treat this exercise as a hobby, but as a task. Play the audio and listen to a sentence first, then press "play" again and listen to the audio while reading the text; then repeat aloud what was said.
It's about getting your data erased. sound in Spanish that has stuck with you since you learned to read. Once you're used to it (after listening to a phrase ten or twenty times), stop reading the text and just listen. Since this can be tedious, try to find audio recordings on topics that interest you. The goal is to be as little bored as possible while learning.
If you can think of another alternative method for memorizing sounds (for example, listen to songsTry it, always keeping in mind that it's about "erase the sounds of Spanish from your head" y "replace them with the authentic English sounds".
5) Two other things you should know:
a) No computer programHowever good a teacher is, they won't be able to get you to position your mouth correctly. Some people have a special talent for imitating sounds, but the vast majority need help. a human who tells you how to position your mouth to pronounce words and tells you if you're doing it right or wrong. So, in addition to using WikSpeak and other resources, it's a good idea to find that person. native human (teacher, language exchange, etc.).
b) The linking of words. When you speak any language, you link one word to another, turning them into a single sound. The faster you speak, the more you link one word to another. At first, when you haven't yet mastered pronunciation, you should speak slowly. I repeat: speak slowly. Speaking too quickly increases the chances of no one understanding you. Then, gradually, you should start linking words together. Pay attention to pronunciation models (teachers, audio recordings, videos) and how they connect words, and try to imitate them. Afterward, find your language exchange partner (or teacher) and ask them directly if you're doing it correctly.
I'll leave a Very good article (in English) about how improve your pronunciationHighly recommended reading.
Start practicing what you've learned with this video (American English). Adding tools like WikSpeakWith phonetics resources, guided practice, and native speaker correction, you can get closer and closer to clear, understandable, and confident pronunciation in English.
Luck! Print