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Lets Learn aLL about *L’s*

How difficult was that sentence to say? If you are like most ESL learners, it wasn’t so easy. Below are some of my favorite resources on how to pronounce the English *L*.

l_sound

Start with this lesson from pronuncian.com. It will explain in detail the mechanics, or step-by-step movements, of how to move your mouth in the sound of an L.

Next- I have a really fun video to watch. This is Amy Walker, who is not an English teacher but a professional actress who has excellent accent skills. In this video she clearly explains how to practice the L sound, and also does a warm-up for the first minute or two. It may seem silly, but warm-ups and practice are the key to mastering English!

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Gustavo – Brazil

 

Gustavo, from Brazil, found me on twitter and signed up for lessons to improve his English so that he could get a job in the USA. He is a software developer and is an Android aficionado. We worked together on his CV and interviewing skills and it must have paid off because now he is living in New York City!

aficionado: A person who likes, knows about, and appreciates a particular interest or activity

 

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YouTube

YouTube is an AMAZING tool for language learners! YouTube combines visuals and audio to really stimulate the senses.  Much more entertaining than the standard old grammar book!

#1 Browse

Search for videos about things that interest you. If you are interested in cooking, watch some videos about cooking in English. Check out different accents from around the world– it can be really fun (even for native speakers)! Search for keywords: ESL, Learn English, British English, Grammar, English Pronunciation

Spend sometime and find the channels that you like.

#2 Subscribe

When you find a channel that you really like, click on subscribe.

subscribe

Every time you are on your YouTube homepage, videos from the channels that you subscribe to will be featured.

#3 USE IT

As with learning anything, practice makes perfect. The more you hear English, the more you are going to understand it. Listen to a video and repeat what you hear. Try to mimic the sounds that you are hearing perfectly. I tell my students to repeat what they hear and look in the mirror.

EVERYDAY set some time aside for YouTube. Your English is not going to magically improve overnight. It takes time and practice– but using a tool like YouTube can make it fun and interesting. The best part about YouTube is that you learn other things while you are improving your English (like how to make a chocolate cake!)

Beginner tip! If you are a beginner, search for videos in your native language and turn on English subtitles.  Try this out and then move on to videos with English audio and English subtitles.

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