ESL Pronunciation Worksheet: Common Challenges

Let’s look at some vowel sounds and the shape your mouth makes to produce them. The chart below shows the positions of the tongue when pronouncing vowels.

Common Problems with Vowel Sounds

• Short and Long Vowels: Italians often mix up short and long vowels. Practice minimal pairs like sit / seat.
• Central Vowel (/ə/ or “schwa”): Many non-native speakers struggle with this sound, as it’s often unstressed.

Practice Vowel Sounds

Repeat these words with the correct vowel sound:

1. /iː/ beet
2. /ɪ/ bit
3. /e/ bet
4. /æ/ bat
5. /ʌ/ cut
6. /uː/ boot
7. /ɔː/ bought

The English consonant chart is below, showing different positions of articulation (where the sound is made in the mouth) and whether it’s voiced or voiceless.

Common Problems with Consonant Sounds

• /θ/ vs /t/: Words like three and tree sound similar to non-native speakers.
• /v/ vs /w/: vine and wine often sound the same to Italian learners.
• Final Consonants: Italians might omit final consonants (e.g., stop might sound like sto).

Practice Consonant Sounds

Repeat these words with the correct consonant sound:

1. /p/ pat
2. /b/ bat
3. /f/ fan
4. /v/ van
5. /θ/ thin
6. /ð/ this
7. /ʃ/ ship
8. /ʒ/ measure

Minimal pairs are words that differ by just one sound.

1. /ɪ/ vs /iː/

• ship / sheep
• bit / beat

2. /æ/ vs /ʌ/

• bat / but
• cap / cup

3. /θ/ vs /t/

• thin / tin
• think / tink

4. /v/ vs /w/

• vine / wine
• vet / wet

Tongue twisters are a fun way to improve pronunciation. Repeat the following tongue twisters several times:

1. /θ/ and /t/: Three thin thieves thought they threw thick things.
2. /v/ and /w/: Vicky wore velvet while washing white windows.
3. /s/ and /ʃ/: She sells seashells by the seashore.

• Listen and Repeat: Use online resources or apps to hear correct pronunciation and repeat.
• Record Yourself: Listen back and compare with native speakers.
• Focus on Mouth Position: Pay attention to how your mouth moves and where your tongue is placed when making different sounds.