Vowel Contrast: /æ/ vs. /a/
/Our students often confuse the vowels in "black" and "block" (/æ/ vs. /a/). This short video helps you hear and distinguish the two similar sounds, vowels #5 and #6 in American English.
sharing the life stories of immigrants, expatriates, and refugees to the United States
Our students often confuse the vowels in "black" and "block" (/æ/ vs. /a/). This short video helps you hear and distinguish the two similar sounds, vowels #5 and #6 in American English.
Some learners of English have trouble distinguishing between /b/ and /p/. Here we give tips for those students, especially speakers of Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, Korean, Spanish, and Turkish.
Narration: Alan Headbloom
Editor: Garrett Lessner
One of the harder English sounds to make is the 'th' sound. Alan gives tips on the two different pronunciations for this tricky American English pronunciation.
Our learners are shocked to learn that American English has three different ways to pronounce 't'! Listen closely to hear the differences.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #15 in American English: /oi/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #14 in American English: /au/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #13 in American English: /ai/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #12 in American English: /ɚ/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #11 in American English: /u/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #10 in American English: /ʊ/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #3 in American English: /ei/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Alan teaches the pronunciation of Vowel #1 in American English: /i/. He includes spelling patterns, exceptions, and sample sentences for practice.
Feel Like You Belong is a sometimes serious, sometimes funny, always “touch-your-heart” real conversation about fitting into the American culture. It introduces guests who have made the immigrant journey to the United States. The stories–of both struggle and success–will help newcomers feel more confident in sharing their opinions and expertise, more likely to want to stay in the U.S., be more productive in their jobs, and fully invest in their communities.