Picture this: It’s 2045, and you’re finally told that the IELTS test now has a teleportation feature! Suddenly you step onto the platform and are whisked away to an English speaking wonderland where Johnny Depp himself is your IELTS coach. Johnny winks at you. “You feel like pronouncing some French with me? Got it all figured out?” If only we could teleport. But that technology doesn’t quite exist— not yet, anyway. Apart from that, until then let’s adhere to our basic traditional ways and ensure you get the right pronunciation in the IELTS Speaking test.
Tip 1: Talk to Yourself (and Keep It Positive)
Whilst this may all sound a bit cuckoo, speaking to oneself in English could be the very thing that helps to bring about perfect pronunciation! It’s simple: you speak more English, your pronunciation becomes better. There’s no need to get all philosophical on the meaning of life! Oh, don’t worry about it. Pointing out your grocery list or narrating the things you’re doing as if you are the main character of your own reality TV show is perfectly okay, too! That is, so long as your celeb. coach, isn’t Johnny Depp on the other end of that husky voice informing you just how “savvy” you are at this whole grocery shopping thing?
Tip 2: Tackle Those Tricky Sounds
And there’s a good chance English has some sounds that your native tongue just doesn’t. Because every language has its own set of unique sounds sorry! These are your pronunciation arch-nemeses! The movement of your tongue and muscles to produce the “th” sound is likely as uncomfortable as trying to get an alien object comfortably in your mouth for a Spanish speaker. Practice these sounds a lot and they’ll soon roll off the tongue. Record yourself and listen to it, channel your inner Shakespeare. Ionic Club atmosphere and the internal language rivalry is not just going to come out with you saying the “to be or not to be” correctly; it will also have you sounding like you’ve been holding that skull your whole life.
Tip 3: Imitate Native Speakers (and Celebrities)
Do you remember a time in the past when you felt like you got an amazing voice by copying your favorite celebrities? It should only be fair, right? Next time you are watching Friends, or binging some interviews on YouTube or following a podcast try catching as much sweeterner and waterner how they pronunciate. Ok, now put on your best Matthew McConaughey “Alright, alright, alright” or try that spot-on impression of Hermione getting all uptight about the pronunciation of Leviosa.
Tip 4: Tongue Twisters – A Fun Challenge
Fine for birthday parties as well as learning pronunciation! Tongue twisters are not only for children. She sells seashells by the seashore, etc. Or try any of these more challenging options: 10 times fast other that: A proper cup of coffee from a copper coffee pot This not only is great for increasing how well you speak, but it’s also endless entertainment (and slight embarrassment) when you first do this in front of your mates.
Tip 5: Get Feedback (and Laugh at Your Mistakes)
Always feedback is important for good improvement. Pair up with a language partner or an IELTS coach, or you can even use apps to get immediate pronunciation feedback. Now, be warned it’s alright to make mistakes. Or at least that’s how I tell myself now. Studies show that laughing helps you learn, so giggle at your mistakes and move forward.
If you start incorporating these tips into your daily speaking habits, pretty soon you’ll be able to wow even the fussiest of IELTS examiners! Who knows, maybe when 2045 comes out you’ll be the one teleworking as an expert English coach! Until next time, keep on practicing, keep talking, and keep those Johnny Depp dreams alive!
