Easy tips
Ø Observe the mouth movements of those who speak English well and try to imitate them.
Ø Until you learn the correct intonation and rhythm of English, slow your speech down.
Ø Listen to the 'music' in English.
Ø Use the dictionary
Ø Make a list of frequently used words that you find difficult to pronounce and ask someone who speaks the language well to pronounce them for you
Ø Buy books on tape
Ø Pronounce the ending of each word.
Ø Read aloud in English for 15-20 minutes every day.
Ø Record your own voice and listen for pronunciation mistakes.
Ø Be patient.
Quick tips
Various versions of the English language survive. Commence by recognizing the group you fall into and initiate by improving the precision of your speech.
Ø Focal point on removing the mother tongue pressure and the 'Indianisms' that creep into your English conversations.
Ø Observe the English news on television channels like Star World, CNN, BBC and English movies on Star Movies and HBO.
Ø Listen to and sing English songs. I recommend Westlife, Robbie Williams , Abba, Skeeter Davis and Connie Francis among others.
Books to help you improve your English
- Essential English Grammar by Murphy (Cambridge)
- Spoken English by R K Bansal and J B Harrison
- Pronounce It Perfectly In English (book and three audio cassettes) by Jean Yates, Barrons Educational Series
- English Pronunciation For International Students by Paulette Wainless Dale, Lillian Poms
