Wadjasay? American English Pronunciation Practice
This podcast offers lessons to help learners understand and speak normal-speed American English. It covers pronunciation practice and is also available on YouTube. The host provides tips and exercises for improving comprehension of everyday spoken English.
Episodes
adverbs of frequency
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Adverbs of frequency are words like “always”, “sometimes”, and “never.” They are usually placed between the subject and verb. For example: He often practices piano in the afternoon.1. He never had problems with math.2. We always ate dinner around 8 o’clock.3. Mary always arrived early for meetings.4. I sometimes
Practice with "few" and "a few"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast we’ll practice with “few” and “a few”.When should you use this word? Here are a few examples (2 or 3 examples equals ‘a few’).For example, if I have 40 friends and three of them speak Russian, it is correct to say “A few of my friends speak Russian.”Another example: I want to buy lunch but I only
Close and close? "Close the door." vs. "Don't stand so close to the lion."
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In this podcast you’ll practice the verb “close” as in “Close your eyes.” English also has an adjective, “close”, as in “You’re standing too close to me.” This “close”means “near.”1. Close the door, please.2. Please close the window.3. She closed the gate on her way out.4. He carefully closed the car door.5. The
Practice with numbers
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Listen and practice along with the podcast as needed. Then practice the numbers listed below starting around 9 minutes 40 seconds from the beginning of the podcast.Begin here:256394271995832751,5857,0142,0019,85719,52226,48388,000157,500209,555329,6331,000,0005,245,12315,208,30057,113,605156,001,412355,888,00499
Substitution drill: statement to question - 01
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This is easy:I'll say: "She lives in France."You'll ask: "Does she live in France?"So take my statement and turn it into a question. Easy! The rest of the directions are in the podcast. Use it to practice grammar (questions with 'does'), the names of some countries (France
More practice with the American R sound
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1. Roger has a red rabbit.2. My robot is right-handed.3. I like to read about railroads.4. I fed my bird a carrot.5. The doctor wore a white shirt.6. Have you ever seen a lizard on a giraffe?7. I’ll pay you a dollar for your green rocket.8. I live on a ranch with my mother.9. The rich pirate had a pet turtle.10.
More reflexives: I recorded them by myself!
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1- You said that already. I’m afraid you’re repeating yourself.2- I think that’s a terrible idea, but you’re the boss so suit yourself. Do what you want.3- In ten years I see myself running a successful consulting business.4- My children always behave themselves in public. At home, however, they are monsters!5-
Sentences with "while"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This is a companion podcast to the previous one which gives sentences with "when." The word "while" is used to link actions which are happening at the same time. For example: During dinner, I listened to a podcast. You can express this with while: "While I ate dinner, I listened to a pod
Sentences with "when"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!A student asked me today to explain the difference between "when" and "while" in English. I think examples are the best way to learn so here are questions and statements containing "when" and I'll do "while" very soon--I promise!When I arrived, it was raining.When is
All the languages I've studied
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast is the sound portion of one of my YouTube videos. It describes all my language learning experiences spread over many decades. Personally I think this is just as useful (or useless) as a podcast as it is in video form. In both formats it's just me telling a story. I hope you enjoy it: it include
How I would learn a new language
Send 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.b
The vowel sounds in zoo and book, spooky and flood.
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Listen and repeat. Please do NOT read and repeat. The spelling won't help. Use your ears and your brain. 1. I saw a balloon in a cartoon.2. It was cool in the swimming pool.3. The table top was very smooth.4. The kook lived in an igloo.5. There was a lagoon at the zoo.6. Which booze did you choose?7. He cli
Verb tenses review lesson 4: the present perfect
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The present perfect and present perfect continuous generally allow us to talk about things which start in the past and continue into the present.1. I’ve lived in Turkey for three years. I’ve been living in Turkey for three years. 2. She has studied English since 2023. She has been studying English since 2023.3.
Verb tenses review lesson 3: the present continuous
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Verb tense review: the present continuous (also called the present progressive.The present continuous is mostly used for actions which are happening right now. Sometimes we also use it for future actions. Compare these two sentences:A) We’re going to the zoo.B) We’re going to the zoo on Saturday. The sentences a
Verb tenses review lesson 2: the simple past
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Verb tense review: the simple past.The simple past is used for actions that took place in the past and are finished. For example:“Yesterday I went to the gym after work.”“Last week I met a woman who is a yoga instructor.”Here are some sentences to practice with:1 - I lived in Los Angeles for three years. (Then I
Past tense of regular verbs AGAIN!
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!In writing, regular English verbs add “ed” to the infinitive to show past tense. So hope becomes hoped, grab becomes grabbed, and wait becomes waited. Now close your eyes and listen to the ending sound of these three verbs.Hoped, hoped, hoped.Grabbed, grabbed, grabbed.Waited, waited, waited.The past tense of hop
Poem: I've lost my mind
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!I wrote this poem this morning to use for reading and pronunciation practice in my class on Tandem. I didn't write it deliberately to be good for teaching English, but it turned out that it was. Hope you like it.I’VE LOST MY MINDI’ve lost my mind.I asked my wife.“Look in your jacket pocket,” she said,Like m
simple present tense with 'to be'
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!More simple present: the verb “to be”1- I am from Costa Rica. He is from Cuba.2- This is my brother. His name is Jack.3- This is my adopted cat. Her name is Nefertiti.4- How old are you? I’m twenty-seven.5- Are you hungry? No, not yet. Well, actually I am a little bit hungry.6- Are you my new teacher? Yes, I am.
Verb tenses review lesson 1: the simple present
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Another quickie podcast. Over the next week or two or three, I will record short podcasts going through the most commonly used English verb tenses. In this one the examples are from the simple present. This tense is used to describe habits and states of being: I get up early every morning. I go to the gym after
Do you know where my keys are?
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!(This podcast is for Irma who reminded me about this construction.)Note: this podcast has fewer repetitions than usual. That DOES NOT mean you shouldn't play it and practice is many times. It just means my time is limited.In English we can take two questions:a) Do you know….?b) Where are my keys?And combine
Practice with 5-syllable words.
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1- I have never seen or met an abominable snowman, also known as a Yeti.2- I.R.S. is the abbreviation for the Internal Revenue Service.3- My uncle is an aeronautical engineer.4- I put the books in alphabetical order. 5- My son doesn’t like to bathe, and as a result, dirt is accumulating in his ears.6- The doctor
More practice with intonation, rhythm, and word stress.
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Suggestion: Read the sentences first and then put them away. Do NOT try to read the words while you listen and repeat. Reading will NOT help your pronunciation. Train your ears. Repeat: train your ears. 1- The fires in Los Angeles are out of control. 2- She came to my birthday party and ate too much cake.3- My m
2025-01: sentences to practice rhythm, stress, & intonation
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!It's okay to read the sentences if you need to, but please do NOT try to read them while you're repeating with the podcast. English spelling is a distraction. It's NOT a useful guide to pronunciation.* Close your eyes (unless you're driving!) and use your ears. Train yourself to really hear t
Plans for November and December
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!November 2, 2024Hello everybody. I've been meaning to record a short podcast to tell you what's going on, and here it is. I've been very busy the past month and November and December are shaping up to be even busier. So I'm not going to record any new podcasts during that time. I will continu
Consonant Blends
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!If your native language doesn’t include many consonant blends, English can be a challenge. An example is “st” as in the word “test.” These blends can appear at the beginning of a word, in the middle, or at the end. Let’s practice. 1- The first test was the worst test; the last test was the second worst.2- My tas
Mad Tea Party -01
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!(From - Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: beginning of Chapter 7.)There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it,
more sentences with take
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are three more Phrasal Verbs based on “take”:1- As soon as all the passengers were seated and buckled in, the plane took off. [the plane left the ground]2- When the burglars heard our key in the lock, they took off through the back door and raced down the street. [They ran away quickly]3- The doctor told me
Fake business names pron. exercise
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Imaginary businesses with tricky-to-pronounce names. Use this podcast as an exercise to warm up your pronunciation. Go slowly before you try to go fast!1- Rudy’s Radioactive Radiator Repair2- Thea’s Thursday Seances Featuring Thinking, Theorizing, and Theremin Lessons3- Skip’s Sports Emporium and Unicycle Servic
Take over
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!To “take over” has a couple of meanings. It can mean to “take control of” something, but it can also mean to control by being bossy.1- While I was sick, weeds took over the garden. Now it looks terrible.2- When my father died, I had to take over running the company.3- Our children have taken over my life. I have
To take advantage of someone or something
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Another expression with the verb take. Let’s practice with “to take advantage of.”To “take advantage of” can be good or bad. Here’s an example of the bad kind: “He took advantage of his friend’s generosity by borrowing money and never paying it back.”And the good kind: “She took advantage of every opportunity to
Sentences with "take place"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let’s continue our practice with the verb “take”, this time with “take place” which means to “happen”, usually for organized events.1) The next summer Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles. I hope it won’t be too hot.2) The next performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra will take place on September 8th
Take a look
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The verb “take” is very common in English and it’s used in many ways. One of the expressions is to “take a look.” Here are some examples:1) “Doctor, please take a look at this X-ray.”2) He took one look at the snake and said, “It’s a Burmese Python.”3) “We need to take a look around your apartment,” said the pol
So let's practice sentences with "so"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!August has been very busy but here's a podcast so you won't think I've run away somewhere. We use the word "so" in many ways. Here are some sample sentences.1- That is a beautiful painting?Do you really think so?2- Is it time for dinner? Is the food ready?I think so.3- She speaks French
Practice with some 4-syllable words
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast contains 26 sentences. Each sentence includes at least one 4-syllable word. The words are in alphabetical order, so the 4-syllable word in the first sentence is “alligator” beginning with “A” and so on. Sentence number 26 contains the word “zoology”.Note that some of the sentences are silly and nons
Practice with fixed expressions
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Fixed expressions are little English phrases that native speakers use all the time. If I were in your shoes, I would learn lots of fixed expressions.For variety, this podcast uses several synthetic voices to read the sentences. 1. The fact that she speaks five languages doesn't mean she's qualified to
Practice with the 'dj' sound
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Practice with the DJ sound, as in “judge” and “ginger.”1 - His travel agency has a large budget for advertising. 2 - Have you ever heard of an angel with an allergy?3 - The archaeologist apologized to the biologist. 4 - She lives on the edge of Egypt.5 - The earthquake caused a lot of damage. It was a huge emerg
Dessert Time at the ZooQuarium
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here's a short poem to help you practice S, Z, and SH sounds. Dessert Time at the Zooquarium.A zebra sipped a milkshake.A serpent swam in cream.Hippos splashed and frolicked.In a gurgling chocolate stream.The zoo was full of visitors who buzzed like busy bees.And watched the sharks swim lazily through orang
Mind Your Vs and Ws
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!English has V sounds and W sounds. But some languages only have one or the other. If your native language is missing one of these sounds, you need to learn it. Otherwise we won’t know if you want to say “wet” or “vet”. To help you practice, I wrote this poem:Mind Your Vs and WsOur teacher is a vampire,He wobbles
More reductions with 'and'
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Let's continue with English reductions where the pronunciation of the word "and" changes to ’n. Here’s another example: “She’s out and about, shopping at the mall,” changes to …”out ’n about”…11. Our cat wandered off again but she’ll come home by and by.12. Now and then we like to eat dinner at a
Up 'n down, over 'n over: reductions with "and"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!English is full of reductions. We write “going to” but we say “gonna” for example.The conjunction “and” is often reduced to an /n/ sound. So “hot and cold” becomes “hot ’n’ cold” and so on. Here are ten sentences to practice with.These phrases are sometimes called “fixed” and phrases. Ask any American to finish
Past tense of regular verbs - MORE PRACTICE NEEDED!
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Regular verbs in English add “ed” to show past tense.So “walk” becomes “walked”, “cook” becomes “cooked”, etc.There are three ways the “ed” can be pronounced. In this podcast we will—again—practice verbs where the past tense ends with the /t/ sound. So in #1, look becomes looked [lookt] and drop becomes dropped
Consonant clusters with "R"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Final consonant clusters with "r"What's a consonant cluster? Simple: take the "r" sound, combine it with another consonant like "d", as in the word "yard" and you have a small group or cluster of two consonants. In the sentences below you'll find words like these
Encounter with an alien part two
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!See the transcript for the text of part 2.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!
Encounter with an alien part one
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Click on the transcript link to read the text as you listen. Enjoy!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!
Syncope, or throwing away an unneeded syllable
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Syncope (loss of unstressed vowels after a stressed syllable.)Example “chocolate” [CHAWK-uh-luht] becomes [CHAW-kluht]1- I like to eat chocolate. [CHAW-kluht]2- She visits her mother every weekend. [EV-ree]3- He bought a new camera. [KAM-ruh]4- We go for a walk in the evening. [EEV-niŋ]6- Are you interested in a
Water Worlds
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!One of the science podcasts I listen to regularly is Astronomy Cast hosted by Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay. In today’s lesson, you’ll hear a short excerpt from Episode 705: Water Worlds - Looking for Life Beyond Earth. First you’ll hear a clip from their podcast, and then I’ll break their speech into shorter f
Cold calling Part One
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The phone rings and it's a stranger trying to sell you something. This is part one of a multi-podcast series based on a real script. Have fun!Hi, this is Barry calling from Scam-O-Rama Car Services. I’m calling regarding your 2016 Chevrolet Survivor. How is your 2016 Chevy Survivor running? Do you know the
Linking Sounds Lesson 1: Y and W glides
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This is the first in a series of lessons about connected speech. One of the ways in which we link syllables and words together is with "glides" -- for example a Y sound is added between "be" and "able" so it sounds like "bee yable". Listen to the sentences and you'll
Practice with some fancy six-syllable words.
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are some sentences with six-syllable words.1- In the 1960s people experimented with hallucinogenic drugs. 2- Covid 19 has resulted in the hospitalization of too many people.3- Please do NOT eat mushrooms which are not identifiable as safe and harmless.4- Alien organisms might not be easily categorizable.5-
Mini-podcast: A tough course
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Crazy English. We pronounce "ough" in too many ways...I thought microbiology was a tough course, but my professor was a thorough teacher. I studied hard throughout, and in the end I learned what he taught even though it was a challenge.1- I thought microbiology was a tough course…2…but my professor was
Sentences about parachutes
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1- Do you think you know what a parachute looks like? 2- Guess what: There are tons of parachute types out there, and you probably don’t know ’em all! 3- Here’s a rundown of several of the normal and not-so-normal types of parachutes… 3a- …that help skydivers (and far-flung cargo) make their way softly back down
Types of Parachutes
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!What parachute types are there? Do you think you know what a parachute looks like? Guess what: There are tons of parachute types out there, and you probably don’t know ’em all! Here’s a rundown of several of the normal and not-so-normal types of parachutes that help skydivers (and far-flung cargo) make their way
Collocations with "back"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1 - Gymnasts have broad, muscular backs.2 - I worked in the garden all morning and now my back aches.3 - He broke his back in a terrible car accident.4 - Have you ever read The Hunchback of Notre Dame?5 - My dog always stretches his back and yawns when he wakes up.6 - My cat arched his back and hissed loudly at
PER-fect? Per-FECT? Both?
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!There are some words in English which change their meaning when you change the stress. Here’s an example:Perfect - free of mistakes, problems, errors.1 - The teacher said my homework was perfect. (PER-fect)2 - She got a perfect score on the exam.3 - Your pronunciation is perfect.4 - It’s hard to be perfect all t
Practice with reflexive verbs
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks! 1 - I enjoyed myself when I visited Mexico. 2 - She hurt herself playing basketball. 3 - You’re working too hard. Don’t kill yourself! 4 - John is going to make himself a sandwich. 5 - We encourage ourselves to practice English every day. 6 - I own my own small company. I pay myself four thousand dollars per mo
Job Scams
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The full text of this podcast along with additional information about job scams can be found on the US Federal Trade Commission website.Here are some sentences to use for pronunciation practice. They are at the end of the podcast.1- Scammers advertise jobs the same way honest employers do — online (in ads, on jo
What's in a word? - Pain
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!There are many collocations in English using the word “pain”. Here are a few to practice with.1) He immersed himself in the music and for a little while forgot the pain of losing his father.2) She took medications for a few days to ease the pain in her leg.3) It took me a long time to get over the pain of gettin
Little Red Riding Hood - a retelling
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived with her mother in a small house at the edge of a big forest.The girl had a bright red cape with a hood and it was so striking that everyone called her Little Red Riding Hood.One day her mother said, "Sweetie, I'm preparing a basket of treats for your
What's in a word? - Exercise
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1) Our teacher gave us some grammar exercises for homework.2) The translation exercises were difficult.3) I do yoga exercises every morning.4) His doctor recommended some exercises to strengthen his back.5) Learning a new language is a good mental exercise.6) Mary does daily breathing, stretching, and relaxation
What's in a word? - Extravagant
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!1) We go to dinner at a fancy restaurant when we’re feeling extravagant. 2) Spending $200 on a pair of shoes seems extravagant to me.3) She’s only extravagant when she’s on vacation and then she throws caution to the winds.4) After winning the lottery, he became the most extravagant person I know. He spent milli
Happy sentences to end 2023
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Some sentences with "happy":1) He has a successful business with many happy customers.2) Meeting you here in the airport was a happy accident. 3) The boy was whistling a happy tune.4) That movie had a happy ending. 5) Alex and Joanna are a very happy couple.6) My grandson has had a happy childhood.7) I
Betty Botta (or Betty Botter)-- a well-known tongue twister
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Betty Botta bought some butter;“But,” said she, “this butter’s bitter!If I put it in my batterIt will make my batter bitter.But a bit o’ better butterWill but make my batter better.”Then she bought a bit o’ butterBetter than the bitter butter,Made her bitter batter better.So ’twas better Betty BottaBought a bit
Where's Molly (the cat)?
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Where's Molly?The cat? I don't know. Where have you looked? Did you check the bedroom?She's not in the bedroom.Did you look in the fridge?How would a cat get into the fridge?I don't know. How about the washing machine?I just put laundry in the washer. She's not in there.Did you look outs
I went to an auction...
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!If you're not familiar with the word auction, A-U-C-T-I-O-N, I want you to stop this podcast, look at the notes, and go watch two parts of videos on YouTube. The first one is an example of an auction competition and the second one is a woman auctioneer talking about her patter, which is the way people talk
Two tongue twisters with "L"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here are two home-made tongue twisters featuring "L". Lazy Lucy left languid Larry lingering in Louisiana.Lucille’s lizard lives happily in her yellow bungalow.(Note to Turkish speakers: look in a mirror and say English words beginning in "L". If you see the tip of your tongue sticking out, y
I used to work for... - another mini podcast
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Today's mini-cast discusses these two sentences:I used to work for a big company, but after a few years I quit. Now I'm self-employed.If there's a sentence or a couple of sentences you find tricky to pronounce, and you'd like me to use it or them in a mini-podcast, email me at fuzzy.moon8650@
I could take the bus to work..
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Another mini-cast: the sentence to practice here is:"I could take the bus to work, but I'd rather walk."Listen carefully as always, and notice how words pronounced in isolation may be pronounced differently when they're in a sentence.If you want to practice your speaking and correct grammar a
close analysis: To tell you the truth...
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Here's another podcast where I dig into exactly how I pronounce a single sentence:"To tell you the truth, I was surprised by his attitude." By the way: thank you to my supporters who contribute to help pay for the expenses of this podcast. You are greatly appreciated!Intro & Outro Music: La Po
The secret of "geldi' (for Turkish students of English)
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Note: the podcast recording is not identical to this short essay. But the topic is the same.Who knew? The "TH" sound in English does not exist in Turkish. And yet, the articulation of the "TH" sound does exist in Turkish. Really and truly.If you are a native speaker of Turkish, do this:1) Say
Close analysis: I'm so tired of waiting...
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!This podcast contains a very close analysis of how I pronounce a few sentences:1- I am so tired of waiting in the rain.2- I'm so happy to be walking in the park.3- I was so tired of waiting in the rain that I went to a restaurant.Remember: Written English is not a good guide to pronunciation. Believe me!
Barry's Adventure in Learning Turkish--Report after 1 month
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!No text. This podcast is my quick report on how my Turkish studies are going after one month. It's definitely an adventure. 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 c
Arthur the Rat - listening practice
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks! There was once a young rat named Arthur, who could never take the trouble to make up his mind. Whenever his friends asked him if he would like to go out with them, he would only answer, ‘I don’t know.’ He wouldn’t say ‘yes’ and he wouldn’t say ‘no’ either. He could never learn to make a choice. His aunt Helen s
Nasal sounds in American English
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!English has three nasal sounds. They are “M” as in “mama”, “N” as in “nine”, and /ŋ/ - the ‘ing’ sound, as in “ring.”In making each of these sounds, some air comes out through your nose which is why they are called ‘nasal’ sounds. If you pinch your nose shut while trying to make these sounds, you’ll find they so
Learning Turkish - 1st Report
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!About a week ago I decided I would learn some Turkish. Why Turkish you might ask? And the answer is I don't really have a good reason. I'm 75 years old. I'm not going to travel to Turkey. I have no local friends who speak Turkish. So I have no good reason. I don't need it for work. I don&apos
A short weather report
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Listen to the following weather report read by an A.I. (artificial intelligence produced) voice. I'll play it twice and then I'll record the same report. Listen to the A.I. reading, then listen to my version, and see if you hear any important differences in pronunciation, rhythm or intonation. “A chanc
Collocations with make. Meet Hannah
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Hello, everybody. Barry is resting his voice and he asked me to record this podcast. My name is Hannah. Today’s sentences all include the verb “make” plus a noun. Listen to each sentence 3 or 4 times, and then repeat along with me. 1) Let me make you a fresh cup of hot coffee. 2) She tasted the soup and then mad
Collocations with "book"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!A reminder: collocations are words that are commonly used together by native speakers. For example “brand” and “new” are a collocation, as in “Look at my brand new car,” or “All her clothes are brand new.”Here are some collocations using the word “book”.1) Have you read her most recent book?2) I like to buy used
Collocations with "see"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!The verb “see” has many collocations. This podcast will introduce you to some of them.Let’s begin.Verb + See:1) I could see the soldiers coming out of the woods.2) We went to see the play “Hamlet” yesterday. I love Shakespeare’s plays!3) We went to South Africa last year and I got to see lots of wild animals.4)
Some collocations with "heavy"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!There are many collocations with the word “heavy”. For example, if one team is very likely to win the football World Cup, you could say “Brazil is the heavy favorite to win tomorrow’s match.”Let’s practice:1) After walking for three hours my backpack began to feel very heavy.2) My grandson is getting too heavy t
Some collocations with "Look"
Send me a text message. Suggestions? Subjects for future podcasts? Let me know--thanks!Collocations are words that commonly go together. Using them makes you sound more like a native speaker.For example, a person might say: “That coffee is really strong!” The words “coffee” and “strong” are often used together.But a native speaker would never say:“That coffee is really powerful!” The words “coffee
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