Pronunciation | Anneke

Today I had a speaking CPE practice test and it didn't go as how I wanted it to go. Therefore, I am very glad to have had a practicing test before the test week bursts lose. Receiving my feedback I had past the speaking part, but I did fail pronunciation. The reason why I did not pass was because of the fact that I'm having trouble pronouncing certain vowels.

The words I had trouble with pronouncing:

I pronounced other with an /ɒ/ instead of a /ʌ/ sound

: /ʌ/ = is pronounced with unrounded lips and the front of the tongue is raised.
 /ɒ/ = back of the tongue is raised and lips are slightly rounded. I should take notice of these differences when pronouncing words like 'other'.

I pronounced saw, job, also and storm with a /ɑ:/ instead of an /ɔ:/ sound

: I should round my lips more when pronouncing these words.

Those with an /ɔ:/ instead of an /əʊ/

:  Difference is that /ɔ:/ is strongly rounded and /əʊ/ slightly and becomes unrounded.

That, this, those, the and with, with to less force on the /t/

: I should put my tongue between my front teeth and force more air through the gap.

How to take notice of these mistakes:

- Before the test I'm going to practise my speech using the Phonetics and Pronunciation reader, focusing on the vowels I should improve.
- Practise by repeating words I said wrong and take more notice of how I'm pronouncing words by recording myself. For example, when reading out loud.