EFFECTIVE ACADEMIC FUNCTIONING
Views and Clues on Fluency
Resources on the Web



 
 
 
 
Vowels and Consonants
Kristin's Pronunciation Page by Kristin Liljegren

Begin your journey by getting familiar with the sounds of the English vowels and consonants. This webpage, designed and created by Kristin Liljegren, provides audio recording of the vowel and consonant sounds in English.

Lexical(word) and Phrasal(sentence) Stress
From English Club Pronunciation

This website provides more information on the importance of word stress and practical exercises that you may practice on to improve your knowledge and use of word stress. 

 
Phrasal Stress
Kristin's Pronunciation Page

More info on phrasal stress!
This website provides an audio recording of where the proper stress should be placed in a phrase or thought group. You also get the chance to practice placing the correct phrasal stress in a phrase. This also provides a brief but helpful review of the importance of thought groups.

 
Minimal Pairs
American English Pronunciation by Charles Kelly
Minimal pairs are words in English that sound almost the same except for one sound in which they differ. For some foreign students minimal pairs, especially those that require distinction between [r] and [l], [p] and [f] are a source of difficulty in achieving fluency. This website provides audio recordings of minimal pairs that allow you not only to listen but also to actively participate, as you may take a quiz as you go along.
 
Sound Linking and Reduction
American English Pronunciation from English Online
This is a good resource for more information and practice exercises on sound reduction and linking in American English.
Listening
Activities for ESL Students by Kent Trickel
As you build your skills in speaking more fluently, you need to build your listening comprehension abilities as well, since interaction does not only entail speaking but also listening. This website provides resources and activities designed to improve your listening skills.
Practice Exercises
From the Comenius English Langauge Center: Fluency Through Fables
After you have gone through all the basic features and elements of fluent speech, you now have the chance to practice speaking more fluently, applying the information you have learned from your earlier readings and drills. This website has scripts and texts for you to practice the skills you have acquired.

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