English Pronunciation Power (Part 2: Episodes 5-7)

Listening to and practicing specific sounds in English can go a long way towards improving your pronunciation. Watch these video exercises and then repeat the words that you hear, trying to sound as close to a native English speaker as possible.

• /ɔː/ and /əʊ/ Episode 5
• /dʒ/ vs. /z/ Episode 6
• /ɒ/ vs. /əʊ/ Episode 7

This post contains Episodes 5-7 of English Pronunciation Power. If you missed Part 1 with Episodes 1-4, you can check them out here.

Episode 5: Pronunciation /ɔː/ and /əʊ/

Transcript (With Answers)

Today: /ɔː/ vs. /əʊ/

Listen carefully, and try to work out which words we say.

1. Boat. I said boat, not bought.
2. Caught. That was caught, not coat.
3. Drawn. I said drawn, not drone.
4. Phone. That was phone, not fawn.
5. Loan. That was loan, not lawn.
6. Saw. That was saw, not sew.
7. Called. That was called, not cold.
8. Paul. I said Paul, not pole.
9. Stole. That was stole, not stall.
10. Bowl. I said bowl, not ball.

So, have you been keeping score? Let us know how you did in the comments below!

Episode 6: /dʒ/ vs. /z/

Transcript (With Answers)

Today: /dʒ/ vs. /z/

Listen carefully, and try to work out which words we say.

1. Zee. That was zee, not gee.
2. Jew. I said Jew, not zoo.
3. Jones. That was Jones, not zones.
4. Buzzing. I said buzzing, not budging.
5. Reason. I said reason, not region.
6. Virgin. I said virgin, not version.
7. Pays. I said pays, not page.
8. Rage. That was rage, not rays.
9. Barge. That was barge, not bars.
10. Bulls. That was bulls, not bulge.

OK, how did you do? Let us know in the comments below!

Episode 7: /ɒ/ vs. /əʊ/

Transcript (With Answers)

Today: /ɒ/ vs. /əʊ/

Listen carefully, and try to work out which words we say.

1. Coat. I said coat, not cot.
2. Rob. That was rob, not robe.
3. Hop. I said hop, not hope.
4. Toast. That was toast, not tossed.
5. Cone. I said cone, not con.
6. Pox. I said pox, not pokes.
7. Sock. That was sock, not soak.
8. Jock. That was jock, not joke.
9. Pope. I said pope, not pop.
10. Rode. That was rode, not rod.

We hope you found this series helpful in building your awareness of English pronunciation. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more English language lessons.