Shows
Wadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeHow I would learn a new languageSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Important note: This podcast is the audio portion of a video you can watch on my YouTube channel. So if you hear me say "video", that's why. I have added a transcript if you'd like to read along as you listen. I hope you enjoy it.BarryPS You can watch the original video here: https://youtu.be/cD5SEoif7bsIntro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.c...
2025-05-1722 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMark Twain - reading from A Tramp Abroad -01Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!"We had a plain, simple, unpretending, good hotel, in Baden-Baden—the Hôtel de France—and alongside my room I had a giggling, cackling, chattering family who always went to bed just two hours after me and always got up two hours ahead of me. But this is common in German hotels; the people generally go to bed long after eleven and get up long before eight. The partitions convey sound like a drum-head, and everybody knows it; but no matter, a German family who a...
2023-08-1252 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMark Twain Quotes - 01Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He is one of my favorite authors and said and wrote many things which we still quote. Here are ten quotes to enjoy while practicing your pronunciation.https://time.com/5313628/mark-twain-real-name/1) It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.2) Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and refl...
2023-07-0236 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMercury: Science Vocabulary 03Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here’s some information about Mercury from the NASA website. If you’d like to learn more about Mercury, please visit the Mercury page linked at the end of these notes.The smallest planet in our solar system and nearest to the Sun, Mercury is only slightly larger than Earth's Moon. From the surface of Mercury, the Sun would appear more than three times as large as it does when viewed from Earth, and the sunlight would be as much as seven time...
2023-03-0347 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeCoastal Erosion: Science Vocabulary 02Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!From the US Geological Survey website, some info about coastal erosion:Intense storms and higher seas create more winds, waves, and floods, leading to increased coastal erosion. Hurricanes can wash away sandy barrier islands, leaving coastlines and islands unprotected from storm surge. Waves and winds can carry away beach sand little by little, shrinking scenic beaches. Erosion also exposes human infrastructure and sensitive archeological sites to tides and storms. Many beaches along the Nation’s coastline have lost more than six feet of...
2023-02-1750 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeSea Level Rise: Science Vocabulary 01Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!From the United States Geological Survey website:Warmer temperatures mean less ice. As ice melts, it releases huge amounts of water previously stored in sea ice and glaciers into the world’s oceans. Warmer water is also “bigger” -- water increases in volume as temperatures rise. Combined, these factors cause global sea levels to rise. Rising water levels worsen seasonal tidal flooding, creating high-tide and sunny day flooding. They also leave roads, houses, marinas, and even whole islands underwater. Even small amounts of sea...
2023-02-1533 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeThe magician - a joke.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The MagicianA magician was working on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. The audience would be different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again.There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the shows every week and began to understand what the magician did in every trick. Once he understood that, he started shouting in the middle of the show."Look, it's not the same hat!" "Look...
2023-01-2040 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGlottal stops in American EnglishSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks![https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glottis]Follow on Telegram for more info and my Tandem class and discussion schedule. If you close your vocal cords, you stop the flow of air. In linguistics, this is called a glottal stop. Listen:Uh, oh. Uh, oh. Uh, oh. Hear the break in the sound after “Uh”? That’s a glottal stop. Repeat it with me some more and pay attention to how it sounds and how it feel...
2022-08-1625 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWhen "-ed" is pronounced "ID" - past tense of regular verbsSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Past tense of regular verbs: possibility no. 1.There are three “rules” or sound patterns which determine how we pronounce the past tense of regular English verbs. In this podcast, we’ll practice with the first situation, where the final SOUND of the infinitive is /t/ or /d/. For example, “accept” ends with a /t/ sound, and “guard” ends with a /d/ sound.In this situation the past tense of the verbs is pronounced “ID”. Let me repeat that. If the final SOUND (not l...
2022-07-3128 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeListening practice: She counted her moneySend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Use this podcast to improve your listening and pronunciation. There is no transcript. You won't need one. Listen as many times as you like, and then practice saying: She counted her money.Before you can pronounce correctly, you have to train your ears to hear the sounds as accurately as possible. Listen, listen, listen.Follow on Telegram for more info and my Tandem class and discussion schedule: https://t.me/NativeEnglishLessonsIntro & Outro Music: La P...
2022-07-2610 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePlease listen to this podcast.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The verb "to listen" is almost always followed by "to". See (and listen to) the examples below:1) Listen to me!2) Please listen to your father.3) What are you listening to?4) I’m listening to a podcast.5) What is Sally doing? She’s listening to the news.6) You’re a famous person so people will listen to you.7) When I listen to Russian, I don’t understand anything.8) My children...
2022-07-1542 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeBe careful what you say to your professorsSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Martha: Charles, I need some advice.C: Sure, what about?M: Yesterday I told my history professor he was an idiot.C: You’re kidding! In private, or in front of the class?M: In front of the whole class.C: I assume you’re not majoring in diplomacy or international relations?M: It’s not a joke! What should I do?C: Is he an idiot? No, never mind. Did he k...
2022-06-1720 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeRead and Look Up - A technique to improve speaking fluencySend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Read and look up. Part One:“Read and look up” is a technique for improving your foreign language speaking and reading. It is easy to do. Here is how.1) First, choose a text. It’s okay if the text contains a few new vocabulary words, but not so many that you can’t understand the overall meaning.2) If possible, print the text so you can mark on it.3) Divide the longer sentences into parts. Here is a...
2022-06-1408 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWays to agree with another speakerSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are some ways to say that you agree with another speaker. 1) I agree completely.2) You are correct. (Or) You are absolutely correct.3) Exactly. (Or) Absolutely.4) That’s so true. (Or) What you just said is so true.5) You’re right.6) You took the words right out of my mouth. [You said what I was going to say.]7) That’s exactly how I feel. 8) That’s exactly what I think.
2022-06-1215 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeDictation: Sheila at the supermarketSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This dictation is three paragraphs long. It is repeated three times. Instructions:Step One: Listen to the paragraphs as many times as you like. The more you listen, the easier it will be to write down each sentence.Step Two: Listen again, but stop after each sentence and try to repeat it to yourself. If you can repeat it, go ahead and write it down. Don’t worry about spelling right now. Just try to record the...
2022-06-1209 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePhrasal "to pick up" - Part 2Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!13) There are some guys on Tandem who are only trying to pick up girls. [meet, bring home for sex]14) He was picked up by the police. They questioned him for hours. [found and taken to the police station]15) Marion picked up some food on her way home. [got some food]16) My mother is a great cook. Everything I know about cooking I picked up from her. [learned]17) Where did you get that terrible cold? I mus...
2022-06-0350 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeTo pick up - phrasal verbSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Some practice with the phrasal verb “to pick up”.1) I need to move this table. Can you help me pick it up? [lift]2) I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at 8 and we can drive to work together. [give a ride]3) The baby started crying so her mother picked her up. [lifted]4) My father used to have a shortwave radio. Before the internet, he could always pick up the BBC. [listen to]5) The ph...
2022-06-0131 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeLots more practice with the "th" soundSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Be careful with the pronunciation of “th”: the tip of your tongue is between your teeth.It helps to watch videos to see how people make the "th" sound. Here's one video on YouTube, and here is another one.1. Thank you for helping me.2. Thank you for helping us.3. Thank you for helping me with my homework.4. Thank you for helping me make dinner.5. Thank you for helping me wash the dishes.
2022-05-3044 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation Practice4 syllable words part 2Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are some more sentences with 4 syllable words.1. The teacher demonstrated how to use a dictionary.2. I need more information about the new machinery.3. Covid 19 is an example of evolution in real-time.4. Charlie sent me his letter of resignation.5. The politician spoke about capitalism.6. I appreciate your observations.7. The security situation in our country is grave.8. She works for a large corporation.9. Let's have a big...
2022-05-1536 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePractice with 4 syllable wordsSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Note: Unaccented syllables in English are normally pronounced with the infamous "Schwa" sound. Using the phonetic alphabet, this sound is written /ə/. The word "banana" would be written /bənænə/ with the stress or accent on the second syllable. Languages like Spanish keep vowel pronunciation the same whether syllables are stressed or not. Ask a native Spanish speaker to say "platano" and listen carefully to the vowels in each syllable. None of them change into a schwa sound. And that makes Spanish easier to learn...
2022-05-1337 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePure Listening #3: Please call StellaSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here is another listening exercise. The text in this podcast contains most of the sounds of English. Listen carefully and see how many distinct sounds you can hear. See the transcript link above for the text and practice suggestions.Text credit: accent.gmu.eduIntro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Support the showEmail me: swift.water3883@fastmail.comYou can now support my podcasts a...
2022-05-0714 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePractice with "to be used to"Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast will be doing double duty.* First, it's another regular podcast to help you learn how to use "to be used to". If you practice all these examples, you should have a good feeling for when and how to use this form. Second, I'll be using this podcast along with a couple of Tandem classes, so that Tandem users can practice the lesson before the class. We'll see how it goes.To be used to = to be accustomed to1 I'm...
2022-05-0344 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePure listening #2: Can you say can?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast you'll be listening to the vowel sound /æ/ which is the sound in the words "can" and "cat".Remember this is a chance to practice listening. If you don't understand everything I say, it doesn't matter. You are training your ears to accurately hear the sounds of English. In part 2 of this podcast I'll give you a chance to listen and repeat.Link to my Telegram account for notifications of lessons on Tandem.Intro & Outro M...
2022-04-2014 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePure listening #1 (part 2)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This is part 2 of the “Pure Listening” podcast #1. I hope you’ve already listened to the first part. Of course you don’t have to, but I would recommend it. Again, we are working with the vowel sounds in the words “hit” and “heat”. And again, I am not providing the text. This is an exercise for your ears and your speaking, not for reading.Listen and repeat.Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers...
2022-04-2014 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePure Listening #1: the vowel sounds in hit vs. heatSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast is the first in a series of what I will call pure listening. I will not show you the written text. Why? Because English spelling is terrible. It’s a distraction. It interferes with close listening. If you are ever to learn the sounds of English, you need to listen a lot and listen carefully.Remember this: when babies are learning their native language, they do NOT learn by reading. They listen and then, slowly, they begin to speak. Listening com...
2022-04-1923 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeBeach house in Florida?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!I'm happy to be joined via phone by my friend Erel who performs the part of Mary. Barry sees Mary at the computer and starts asking questions.B: Hi Mary. What are you doing? Online house shopping?M: Hi Barry. Yeah, I'm thinking of buying a house on the beach in Florida.B: Really? I wouldn't do that if I were you.M: No? Why shouldn’t I?B: Sea lev...
2022-04-1812 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeDon't take my word for itSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!“Don’t take my word for it” = Don’t believe me. Try it for yourself.Example 1: The lake is too cold for swimming. But don’t take my word for it. Jump in and see for yourself.Example 2: Professor Johnson is a terrible teacher. But don’t take my word for it. Sign up for his class and see how you like his explanations.Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silverma...
2022-04-1230 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeYou'll catch on very quicklySend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Repeat the two examples along with the podcast until you have memorized them. If you do that, they will be with you forever. Try it--you'll catch on quickly.“Catch on quickly” = to learn fastExample 1: That new student is very intelligent. He catches on quickly.Example 2: Six months ago Marina didn’t know a word of English. Now she’s almost fluent. She catches on quickly.Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https...
2022-04-1023 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeIt's not so easy to pronounce 'psychiatrists'Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Psychologists and. psychiatristsHere are some sentences to help you practice the words psychologist and psychiatrist, as well as related words like psychological, psychiatric, psychology, and psychiatry.1. My brother is a psychologist.2. My sister is a psychiatrist.3. Normally a psychologist can not prescribe medications.4. Psychiatrists are doctors. They can prescribe medications.5. I am majoring in psychology at the university. I want to become a psychologist.6. Marjorie wants to be a...
2022-04-0829 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeOnce in a blue moonSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Season 3, Lesson 2: Once in a blue moon.The goal of this lesson is to help you learn the expression “Once in a blue moon.” [Meaning: Rarely, infrequently.] For example: “Winning the lottery only happens once in a blue moon.”Part One: Listening practice. 100 repetitions, some slow, some normal speed. Just listen—and don’t hesitate to listen to the 100 reps several times. Get the sounds in your head. We’ll practice with this sentence: “That only happens once in a blue moon.”
2022-04-0616 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeSeason 3, Lesson 1: Two heads are better than oneSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Season 3, Lesson 1: Two heads...The goal of this lesson is to help you learn the proverb "Two heads are better than one." [Meaning: It’s easier for two people working together to solve a problem than for one person working alone.]Part One: Listening practice. 100 repetitions, some slow, some normal speed. Just listen—and don’t hesitate to listen to the 100 reps several times. Get the sounds in your head.Part Two: Backward buildup. This is a technique to help...
2022-03-2816 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeSeason 3 - IntroductionSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Season 3 Introduction [Need to translate this? Try DeepL]In season 3, I will focus on special lessons for beginners including total beginners. The most important thing to do as a beginning language student is to listen. If you are unhappy with your English pronunciation, you need to listen. If you want to sound like a native speaker, you need to listen.Listen, listen, listen. Before you try to imitate my accent, listen to it. Listen a lot...
2022-03-2804 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeHope for the bestSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Wishes...wants...hopes...all various ways of expressing desires.I wish I could live in Paris. I want to live in Paris. I hope to live in Paris someday.They all sort of mean the same thing, but each one is a little bit different. Today we'll practice with hope.1) I hope you’ll come by tomorrow.2) After failing his Russian exam, he started to give up hope of ever learning the language. It was just too dif...
2022-03-2145 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeI want want want...Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast we'll practice with the verb to want. What's the difference between to wish and to want? Wishes are desires. "I wish I lived in Paris," for example. It's a dream but may never happen. "I want a new computer," on the other hand, or "I want a cup of coffee," tell the listeners about things you need and may get soon if possible.1) What does he want? He wants some more coffee.2) What does she want? She...
2022-03-1945 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeLet's make a wishSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!What do you wish? In this podcast we'll practice wishing.1) I wish I had more money.2) I wish I were rich.3) She wishes she had something to eat.4) He wished for a more interesting job.5) They wished their father would come back.6) He wished me long life and good health.7) Sally made a wish and blew out the candles on her birthday cake.8) I wish I had more...
2022-03-1935 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeEven MORE practice with THSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!More voiceless TH sounds:1) Ruth came in 8th (eighth) in the race.2) Both John and Mary speak French.3) South is the opposite of north.4) My teeth are in my mouth.5) Some people think the earth is flat.6) I had more strength when I was young.7) January is the first month of the year.8) September is the ninth month.9) And May is the fifth month.10) Follow t...
2022-02-2145 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore practice with "TH"Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!More practice with the unvoiced TH sounds in English. Remember that "unvoiced" means your vocal cords do not vibrate. Also remember the tip of your tongue is between your teeth!Part One: Words that begin with unvoiced TH:1) I’ll be thirteen on Thursday.2) John turned. 30 (thirty) on the 13th (thirteenth), I think.3) This thing is very thin.4) You would look funny with three thumbs.5) Thanks for visiting me.6) The opposite...
2022-02-2139 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeIPA lesson 1Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a tool used by linguists to help record the sounds of a language. It is also useful for people learning a foreign language. And it is particularly helpful to students of English, because the English spelling system is terrible. For example, we pronounce these two words the same:Red (the color)Read (the past tense of the verb to read, as in “Yesterday I read a book.”But we spell them differently. Usin...
2022-02-1306 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore practice with the past tense (-ed making the /t/ sound)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In all the examples of the past tense in this podcast, “ed” is pronounced with a /t/ sound. I’ll start by reading the first ten verbs as a warmup. I'll repeat each verb three times. Listen for the /t/ sound at the end.Licked, nicked, popped, laughed, wrecked, packed, picked, jacked, mocked, perished.Now listen and repeat. 1. My dog licked my face.2. I nicked my finger with a knife.3. The balloon popped and the baby laughe...
2022-02-0735 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeBetty Botter - a tongue twisterSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!A famous tongue twister!Remember that "tt" between vowels is pronounced with a "D" sound, not "T". Listen to these examples pronounced slowly:BotterButterBitterBetty Botter bought some butterBut she said the butter’s bitterIf I put it in my batter, it will make my batter bitterBut a bit of better butter will make my batter betterSo ‘twas better Betty Bott...
2022-01-2111 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore practice with the helper verb "to do" (beginner)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let's practice questions and answers about pets using the helper verb "do".1. Do you have any pets? Yes, I have a dog.2. Do you have a pet? Yes, I have a cat. Her name is Rosie.3. Do you have any pets? No, I don't.4. Do you have any pets? Yes, two. I have a dog and a cat.5. Do you have any pets? I used to have a dog but he died. He was...
2022-01-2150 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePractice with RSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!If you can, watch and practice with one or more of these youtube lessons before you do my podcast. It will help you a lot!Practicing the American rMake the American r soundHow to make the r consonantR in English===========================================Practice with the “r” sound.A - At the beginning of words:1. He has a red rock.2. That apple is rotten.3. His name is...
2022-01-1549 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeNursery rhymes - 1Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!A wise old owl lived in an oakThe more he saw the less he spokeThe less he spoke the more he heard.Why can’t we all be like that wise old bird?Georgie Porgie, Puddin’ and Pie,Kissed the girls and made them cry,When the boys came out to playGeorgie Porgie ran away.Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick.So she phoned for the doct...
2021-12-2115 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGoldilocks and the Three Bears - Part 5Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!(Remember DeepL for translations...)My apologies for the long delay since the last podcast. The time between our Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November, and the Christmas holiday in December is always very busy. Choosing presents for the grandchildren, preparing for winter, and lots more. But I’m back! When we left off, Goldilocks had settled into the baby bear’s bed and was fast asleep. Let’s continue our story:Goldilocks was dreaming, but at the local police station two be...
2021-12-1652 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGoldilocks and the Three Bears - Part 4Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let's continue with our story about Goldilocks and the three bears. You will recall that the bears went for a walk and while they were away, Goldilocks came into their house, ate the baby bear's breakfast, and broke his rocking chair. Now she is upstairs in the bears' bedroom, trying out the beds.As before, listen to this part of the story two times—or more if you like—and then practice repeating the sentences.The first bed was huge and...
2021-11-2029 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGoldilocks and the Three Bears - Part 3Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here's part 3 of my version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Again I'll read the text two times and then break it into sentences or groups of sentences so you can practice repeating. When Goldilocks had eaten all she could hold, she burped happily and walked into the parlor. There she found three chairs. She sat in the largest chair first, but it was as hard as a rock and very uncomfortable. “Terrible!” she exclaimed. “That’s not a chair; it’s a punishmen...
2021-11-1117 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMalaria - practice with scientific vocabulary (Very advanced!)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The text of this podcast is from the Wikipedia article on malaria, a well-known and terrible tropical disease. For listeners to this podcast who are studying science, this will give you practice pronouncing typical scientific vocabulary. I’ll repeat the paragraph three times, and then break it into sentences or shorter phrases so you can practice repeating. Excerpt from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MalariaMalaria is caused by single-celled microorganisms of the Plasmodium group. It is spread exclusively through bit...
2021-11-0829 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGoldilocks and the Three Bears - Part 2Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here's part 2 of my version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Again I'll read the text two times and then break it into sentences or groups of sentences so you can practice repeating. Meanwhile the bear family was sitting down to breakfast. Baby Bear tasted his porridge. “Too hot!” he exclaimed.Mama Bear looked at the steam coming up from her porridge. “Mine looks hot too,” she said.“Let’s go for a little stroll,” said Papa Bear. “When we get back, the po...
2021-10-2528 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGoldilocks and the Three Bears - Part 1Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!You're probably familiar with the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Here's part one of my version. I'll read the beginning two times and then break it into sentences or groups of sentences so you can practice repeating. Have fun! If you need a translation, here's the link to DeepL.Once upon a time there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She had long blonde curly hair, a turned-up nose, a turned-down mouth, and eyes that spelled trouble. She...
2021-10-2126 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePlease put away the leftover pizzaSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!I took Ollie for a walk in the dark earlier this evening. Some of our neighbors have Halloween displays in their yards. I learned that Ollie does NOT like zombies in the dark. Several times seeing human-like figures he started to growl and once I thought he was going to attack one of the zombies. It's good that he wants to protect me...But now back to the world of phrasal verbs. In this podcast we'll study some of the forms of...
2021-10-1934 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeTake me with you my phrasal friend!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!I've been very busy with grandkids, with work (even though I'm 90% retired from our family business), and with getting ready for winter which will arrive soon enough. Our house is in a wooded area and the leaves are changing color and falling like rain every time the wind blows.But it's time for another podcast, and I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I'll never run out of phrasal verbs for you to study. And the bad...
2021-10-1826 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeI used to be an astronaut! (all levels)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!When you say you "used to" do something (or "used to" be something), it means you did it (or "were" it) for a while in the past. For example:"In the past, Mary was a nurse, but now she's a doctor."Another way to say this is:"Mary used to be a nurse, but now she's a doctor."Let's practice:1.I used to love coffee but now I prefer tea.2.I used to drink a...
2021-10-1119 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePast progressive: Doing X when Y happenedSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In the past progressive tense, we talk about doing something when something else occurs. For example: "I was eating dinner when the President called me." The President's call interrupts the first action.1. I was watching TV when the power failed.2. I was watching TV when the lights went out.3. I was listening to the radio when the electricity failed.4. I was reading a book when my phone rang.5. Sh...
2021-10-0522 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePhrasal forms of COME - part 3 (intermediate/advanced)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here’s part three, and the last part, of phrasal verbs based on the verb to come.51. Come in = arriveLook, there’s Susan! Her train must have come in early.52. Come in = enterPlease come in and make yourselves comfortable.53. Come from = Have as one’s birth placePeter comes from Russia and Anna comes from Germany.54. Come for = Search for in order to catch
2021-09-2138 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePhrasal forms of COME - part 2 (intermediate/advanced)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!More practice with phrasal forms of the verb to come.21. Come round = visitShe told her mother she’d come round and visit after work.22. Come round = recover consciousnessAfter the boxer was knocked out, it took a while for him to come round.23. Come round = change one’s opinion to the generally accepted oneIt took him a year to come round and agree that Trump was a crazy liar...
2021-09-2042 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePhrasal forms of COME - part 1 (intermediate/advanced)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast you'll get to practice with phrasal forms of the verb to come. There are a lot of them so let's get started.1. Come with = come along John and I are going to see a movie tonight. Do you want to come with us?2. Come upon = findWhile exploring the woods near our house, we came upon a wooden chest full of rubies and emeralds. Pirate treasure!3. Come up...
2021-09-1932 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeFind the errors - 01Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast has two parts. In the first part there are ten sentences. Each sentence has an error in it, a mistake. See if you can find the error. In the second part of the podcast the errors are corrected and you will have a chance to listen and repeat the corrected sentences.Here’s an example:Mr. Johnson drived his car to work yesterday.Did you hear the mistake? The verb “to drive” is irregular. The correct form o...
2021-09-1713 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeContractions: you'd, where'd, etc.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!It's been a while since my last podcast. I've been busy! Today, for example, I was cutting some weeds in our back yard and I got stung twice by some sort of stinging insects. Yellow jackets, I think, although I'm not sure. That's the sort of adventure I could live without! I repaired the gear shifter on our snowblower yesterday, and today I replaced the blade on our lawn mower. Little jobs to get ready for autumn. There's always something that needs doing or...
2021-09-1611 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMeet Mr. Schwa SoundSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The most common vowel sound in English is called "schwa". It is the sound we commonly use in unaccented syllables.In the international phonetic alphabet (IPA), the schwa sound iswritten with an upside down letter 'e' like this: /ə/I think of it as being an 'uh' sound. By coincidence this sound is in the word "syllables": / ˈsɪləbəlz/ - in this word the stress is on the first syllable and the next two syllables both contai...
2021-09-0117 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore practice with "to do" (Beginner)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast you'll get more practice with the verb "to do". Grammar note: In English you cannot ask "Speak you French?" or "Have you a dog?" This form is possible in Spanish and French and German, to name three examples, but it is NOT correct in English. In English we use the verb "to do" to ask these questions.1. Do you like pizza? I LOVE pizza!2. Do you speak French? No, I don't. [Don't = do not.]
2021-08-2322 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeDays of the week, when were you born? (Beginner)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!For fun: Here's a reading of a picture book that is perfect for beginners:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeJxXeG-bLIIn this podcast we'll introduce the days of the week, a few more verbs, and some numbers.1. Monday is the first day of the work week.2. Tuesday comes after Monday.3. Wednesday comes after Tuesday.4. Thursday follows Wednesday.5. Friday is the last day of the work week.6. Saturday and Sunday are the weekend.
2021-08-1918 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWhat are you doing? (beginner)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The verb "to do" is very important and very useful. In this podcast we will ask the question: What are you doing? What is he doing? etc. and use the answers to introduce some common verbs. 1. What are you doing? I'm talking to my girlfriend.2. What are you doing? I'm finishing my homework.3. What are you doing? I'm taking a test.4. What are you doing? I'm eating a snack.5. What...
2021-08-1511 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePhrasal verbs: leave and look (intermediate/advanced)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Part One: phrasal verbs with leave1. Please put the leftovers in the frig when you finish eating. If you leave them out, they’ll go bad. [to leave out = not put away] [frig = refrigerator. “To go bad” = to spoil.”]2. The pirates left me behind on a desert island with no food or water. Fortunately I was spotted by a passing helicopter and rescued. [to leave behind = to abandon]3...
2021-08-1227 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeI'm hungry, you're thirsty, and she's happy. (beginners)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let’s do some more practice with the verb “to be”, and with contractions.Remember: Listen, listen, listen!1. We write: “I am hungry,” but we say: “I’m hungry.” [“I’m” is a contraction of “I am”]2. He’s thirsty. [He is —> he’s]3. She’s happy. [She is —> she’s]4. You’re late! [You are —> you’re]5. We’re tired. [We are —> we’re]6. They’re at the supermarket. [They are —> they’re] Questions and positive answers:7. Are you hung...
2021-08-0822 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeHello. How are you? (beginners)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!If you are a total beginner, my advice is simple. Listen and listen and listen. The more you listen, the better your pronunciation and accent will be later. But listening comes first.And a warning: English spelling is NOT phonetic. If you try to read English before you listen, you will create problems for yourself. You will pronounce words incorrectly and you will probably develop bad habits.Listen first. Listen a lot. You'll thank me later.1. Hello. How are...
2021-08-0520 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore prepositions: ON and INSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!So many prepositions, so little time. Today let’s practice sentences with ON and IN.Nobody can live in New York on ten dollars a day.The generals planned their attack on Berlin.Did you see that new science fiction show on television? Not yet. Is it on Netflix too?There are a lot of good science podcasts on the BBC.If the company pays for our hotel rooms, we can sa...
2021-08-0422 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeCat barf on the couch. Nasty!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this conversation a husband and wife are discussing a problem caused by their cat. Listen three times without reading the text below to see how much you understand. Then look at the notes for explanations of the vocabulary. There are also a few slang expressions in this conversation. After the third repetition I'll break the conversation up into small parts and you'll have a chance to listen and repeat. Here's the first repetition.John?Yes?Did...
2021-08-0110 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMuch vs. manySend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast you'll practice with the words much and many, and when to use each one. The rules are simple:If you can count something, use many. For example:How many children does Mrs. Johnson have? Three, I think. Two boys and a girl.If it is non-countable, like water, sand, milk, etc., use much. For example:There isn't much gas left in the car. We'll...
2021-07-2916 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeSome vs. anySend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here is some practice with ‘some’ and ‘any’. Note that ‘some’ is in positive statements and ‘any’ is in negative ones, and also usually in questions.I'll read all the sentences first. Just listen. Then I'll put in repeats. Listen to those and, as you feel comfortable, repeat along with me. Here we go.Lucky Bob has some friends. I don’t have any friends.Lucky Larry has some money. I don’t have any money.Lucky Lucy has...
2021-07-2612 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeThe letters aw/au/ou -- examples of the awful English spelling systemSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The “aw” sound in English is usually written with either “aw” or “au”. Here are two examples:“August” — his birthday is in August.“Squawk” — the ducks quacked and the chickens squawked.Let’s practice.I like to paint. Mary likes to draw.The cat was drinking milk from a saucer.Michael is studying law at the university.When you cut wood with a saw, it makes sawdust.She was very sleepy and kept
2021-07-2517 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeNoun plurals: cats, dogs, and horsesSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This is a lesson about the pronunciation of some plurals in English, with a few numbers thrown in as a bonus. Listen:I have one cat. Mary has two cats.John only has one horse. I'm rich: I have (23) twenty-three horses.Sam has one cow. Sally has three cows.Listen to the pronunciation of the words as they go from singular to plural:cat — catshorse — horsescow — cowsIn each case t...
2021-07-2118 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore practice with "for" and intro to intonationSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!We use the preposition "for" in many ways. Here are another ten examples to listen to and practice with. Have fun!1. Do you want to go out for lunch?2. He folded a towel and used it for a pillow.3. She ran for the door when people started fighting.4. For what it's worth, I thought the acting in that movie was terrible.5. I voted for Trump—just kidding, just kidding!6. She loves me for many reasons. 7. All ou...
2021-07-1816 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeThe aliens have landed!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Sometimes people will describe something that happened in the past using the present tense. For example, let's say I see a car accident on my way to work. After work I want to tell my wife what I saw, but instead of using the past tense, I use the present tense. This makes the story seem more immediate and alive. Listen:So I'm on my way to work when all of a sudden I hear a screech and a big BANG! I l...
2021-07-1608 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeThe prepositional goodies continue with "at"Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let's continue our study of prepositions. (I'm confident we'll finish before my hundredth birthday.) In this lesson we'll work with the very useful preposition "at". I'll meet you at Sally's house. It's at the corner of Pine Street and Sixth Avenue.She is always at home at night.His dog growled at me. I barked back at him and he was so surprised he ran away.He's at work but please don't call him. He's probably asleep as usual.The city w...
2021-07-1511 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeGoody, another preposition--"from" me!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this lesson we'll practice some sentences with the preposition "from".He got a phone call last night from his sister.She left this morning from New York.My first class in the morning goes from 9am to 10am.On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest score, how would you rate your English professor?She told us the history of the Aztecs from A to Z.He was born...
2021-07-1410 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeOh, goody, prepostions! This one is "for" you.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!If I sound like I have a cold, I do. The best way to learn English prepositions is to memorize lots of sentenceswhich include them. After a while, you'll develop an "ear" for what sounds correctand what sounds wrong. Do NOT try to translate. What might be correct inSpanish or French or another language could easily be wrong in English. 1. Sorry, but I'm not going to do your homework for you.2. I...
2021-07-1210 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeHe was a bad President. No, even worse. In fact the worst ever!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!We learn to compare things at an early age. "She got a bigger piece of cake than me!" "He's taller than I am.""She's prettier than her sister."And sometimes we call things out as being the "top dog" [the best]:"Charles is the smartest student in his math class.""Rudy is the best basketball player in the school." One pronunciation note: remember that better is pronounced with a /d/ sound like "dog": better, better, he s...
2021-07-1221 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeExpressions and idioms with "chance"Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!There are many expressions and idioms in English that use the word "chance". In this podcast I'll give you a chance to practice some of them. Let's begin.1. I'm going to quit my current job and take a chance on that new job I was offered. [ = to try my luck at the new job.]2. Can you by any chance lend me ten dollars? [ = perhaps]3. Fat chance of getting a promotion at work. M...
2021-07-1012 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeI don't understand. Please speak more slowly. (beginners)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!(www.deepL.com — a good website if you need to translate something.)There is a saying in English: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. This is certainly true for language students. If you know absolutely no English and someone starts to talk to you, you smile and shrug and say—in your own language—'Sorry, I don't speak English'.But if you know a little bit, ah, then it's trickier, because if you answer the first question and th...
2021-07-0611 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePractice with question words: who, what, where, etc.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!I have never studied journalism but I vaguely remember one of my high school English teachers telling us that any well-constructed newspaper story would answer basic questions like these:What happened?When did it happen?Where did it happen?Who was involved?How or why did it happen?And so forth. For example, if there was a fire in somebody's kitchen, the story would say something like this:A fire last night destroyed the home...
2021-07-0419 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePractice the conditional with lots of repsSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Learning the forms of the conditional in English is not especially easy. In this podcast I'll share some sentences that give you a chance to practice the conditional. And because I personally am a big fan of repetition in language learning, I've repeated each sentence fifteen times. My suggestion is to listen to everything one or more times, and then when you're ready, just repeat right over my voice. I didn't leave any silences but really, I don't mind if you speak when I'm...
2021-07-0114 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMore tongue twisters!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are some more tongue twisters for your entertainment. They're supposed to be for children who are native English speakers. But don't feel discouraged if you find some of them difficult. I find some of them difficult, especially the last one. Have fun!1. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.2. Sheep should sleep in a shed.3. A big black bear sat on a big black rug.4. We shall surely see the sunshine soon.
2021-06-2806 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeTongue Twister -01: Buggy bumpers and woodchucksSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Most of my podcasts are at least a little bit silly but this one is completely silly. It contains two tongue twisters which exist only to make you laugh at yourself and perhaps to help you with English pronunciation. The first one is: Rubber baby buggy bumpers which you are to repeat three times as quickly as possible. The second one is: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? (There's a...
2021-06-2413 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMinimal Pairs: b vs. vSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let's start with a vowel warmup. Repeat each word after me.[pure vowel sounds]Heat heatHot hotHut hutHoot hootHit hitHurt hurtHood hoodHead headHaughty haughtyHand hand[dipthongs]Hay hayRhyme rhymeRound roundBoys boysGold goldHot dang! You just repeated all the vowels and diphthongs, which are the [the sounds in] words like...
2021-06-2111 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWhat don't you get about "get"?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast you'll get a chance to practice with some expressions which are based on the verb "to get". And you will get a lot of mileage out of the verb to get. There are probably, maybe 150 different expressions, phrasal verbs, different things that use "get"—I don't even know how many, but a lot. So, let's get to work!1. I don't get it. The teacher explained the problem, but I still don't get it. [= I don't understand.]
2021-06-2022 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeCat got your tongue?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!I was thinking about cats today. And then I decided it would be fun to do a little podcast about cats. Or about the word "cat" anyway. Let's start with the sound: CAT /æ/ cat cat cat I have a cat. I have a cat. [æ = the phonetic symbol for this sound]Cat rhymes with flat. In England some people live in "flats" which in the USA we call apartments. He lives in a flat. I live in an apartment.Flat. I...
2021-06-1710 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeAre you listening? Have you heard a word I've said?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are some sentences to listen to. I hope you'll like what you hear.The verbs to listen and to hear can cause confusion. So here's a quick lesson, a mini-lesson, with examples of each. We'll start with the verb to listen.Part One: the verb to listen 1 I will listen more carefully next time. I'll listen more carefully next time. 2 Please listen to me. It's important. 3...
2021-06-1508 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeSay vs. TellSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Say or tell: two verbs instead of one. Listen to these examples:My father says I should study more.My father told me to study more.Here’s another example.Uncle Fred said he was a great inventor.Uncle Fred told me he was a great inventor.In this lesson I will give you plenty of example sentences. Some contain ‘say’ and some contain ‘tell’ and some include both verbs...
2021-06-1122 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticePractice with minimal pairs: s vs. sh and final k vs g.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this lesson we'll practice the difference between /s/ and /sh/ sounds as in "sip" compared to "ship", and the final sounds /k/ and /g/ as in "luck" and "lug".Part One: /s/ vs. /sh/1) see --she2) seat -- sheet3) sock--shock4) save--shave5) gas--gash6) single--shingle7) so--show8) sore--shore9) sort--short10) fist--fished11) plus--plush12) rust--rushed13) seed--she'd14) seek--chic15) so--show16) sell--shell17) son--shon18) crass--crash19) mess--meshPart Two: final /k/ vs...
2021-06-0913 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeMini-cast 001: Down the drainSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Reminder: Read the text below for comprehension. Then put it away and LISTEN to the podcast. Give your eyes a rest and exercise your ears.Do you know the expression "To go down the drain"? Literally it's what happens when you go to the sink and pour something down the drain. The hole at the bottom of the sink is the drain. Or you wash some dishes and then you pull the plug and the water goes down the drain. It disappears...
2021-06-0607 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeListen like a baby!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This episode is an experiment. I'm not going to provide any text. Like a baby learning its first language, I just want you to listen and play with what you hear. Above all, remember that babies don't waste a second worrying about pronunciation, grammar, or any other grown-up stuff. They just listen and let their amazing brains do all the heavy lifting.* So listen to this podcast and just let the words wash over you. If you're a beginner and the introduction...
2021-06-0313 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeIs your schoolbook bulletproof?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this lesson we will practice two more vowel sounds.First /ʊ/, the sound in words like goodstoodbookAnd then the sound /u:/ in words likemoonbootsoonPart One: Listen to the following sentences with the /ʊ/ sound:That’s a good cookbook.I would like to buy a wool jacket.Take a look at this hook
2021-05-3010 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWho put sheep on the ship?Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This lesson is the first in a series on American English vowel sounds. It is primarily intended for Spanish speakers but won't harm anyone else. I promise!Today's sounds are the [i] sound in fit, sit, or bit, and the [ee] sound in feet, seat, and beat.Part One:Let's start with a few sentences which include both sounds. I'll read each sentence two times, and then say each one two more times with a space...
2021-05-2816 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation Practice"TH" is for thoughtful thinkersSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks! In this podcast we'll practice with the "th" sounds in English. This is the sound you hear in the word "the" and the word "think". The "th" in "the" is voiced which means your vocal cords vibrate when you make the sound. In "think" the "th" sound is unvoiced--the vocal cords do not vibrate.Part One of this lesson is a listening exercise. I wrote a short paragraph which includes lots of "th" sounds. The paragraph will repeat three times. J...
2021-05-2613 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation Practice"H" is for happy!Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!If you are a native speaker of French and have studied English, then you have probably run into the /h/ problem. This sound, which Americans make when we say "Hello" and "How are you" and "Ha ha ha", does not exist in French. This makes two problems for French speakers.1) Problem one: The sound is dropped. So I say Hello and the French speaker says 'ello. Or I say How are you? and he says '...
2021-05-2417 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWhen "-ed" is pronounced "d" (revised in May 2024)Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast was originally recorded in May of 2021. I’ve updated it and made it more than three times longer. (May, 2024) Hope you enjoy the new and improved version.All the regular verbs below that end in “ed” (simple past tense) are pronounced with a “d” sound at the end. So for example:Advised — [uhd-VEYZD]Agreed — [uh-GREED]1—The teacher advised me to study more. 2 — I agreed to buy his old car.3 — The prisoner was allowed to speak.
2021-05-2243 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeRoger the Rabbit Practices RRRRRR.Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!'R' is everywhere. And, unfortunately, the 'R' sound in American English is different from the equivalent sound in French, Spanish, German and for all I know, every other language.So here is a quick conversation to help you practice this tricky sound. Listen a few times first and then repeat as directed.Hi John. Is something the matter?There sure is. A ferret tried to get my rabbit.I didn't know you had...
2021-05-2108 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWhen "-ed is pronounced "t" - Part 2Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast we'll look at some more verbs where the ‘-ed’ past tense ending is pronounced ’t’. Please see the transcript for a list of the sentences.Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Support the showEmail me: swift.water3883@fastmail.comYou can now support my podcasts and classes:Keep the podcasts coming! Thank you!
2021-05-2113 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeWhen "-ed" is pronounced "t"Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Sometimes the "ed" at the end of a verb, used to indicate past tense, is pronounced with a "t" sound. To make it worse, in words like "looked" you get the combo: k+t. Try to find that in Spanish. He tricked his brother.She liked his t-shirt.We talked for hours.They worked from sunup to sundown.I was texting and I walked into a tree.I asked her for her phone number.He looked...
2021-05-2011 minWadjasay? American English Pronunciation PracticeIntroductory Episode NotesSend me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!A quick intro to the Wadjasay Podcast. Sample sentences in this podcast are:Slow version: "Sorry, I am in a noisy room. What did you say?"Fast version (more or less): "Sorry, I'm inna noisy room. Wadja say?"Link to my Telegram account for notifications of lessons on Tandem.Intro & Outro Music: La Pompe Du Trompe by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com Support the showEmail me...
2021-05-2003 min