English pronunciation is hard. Words don't sound like they look. But you can fix the most common problems.

The 5 Biggest Mistakes

1. TH Sounds

Put your tongue between your teeth: think, this, that.

Common mistake: Saying t or d instead. Fix: Practice slowly. Watch your tongue in a mirror.

2. Dropping Final Consonants

English words end with consonants: asked (not "ask"), walked (not "walk").

Common mistake: Not saying the final sound. Fix: Say endings clearly when you practice.

3. Vowel Length

Short vs. long vowels change meaning:

• ship (short) vs. sheep (long)
• bit (short) vs. beat (long)

Fix: Make the difference big when you practice.

4. Silent Letters

Many letters are silent:

• knife, know (silent k)
• Wednesday (silent d)
• psychology (silent p)

Fix: Learn common patterns. Memorize these words.

5. Word Stress

Stress changes meaning:

• REcord (noun: a music record)
• reCORD (verb: to record something)

Fix: Check stress in a dictionary. Practice with the stressed syllable louder.

Practice Tips

1. Record yourself: Say a sentence. Listen. Compare to a native speaker.
2. Use a mirror: Watch your mouth make TH sounds.
3. Practice pairs: ship/sheep, bit/beat — say them together.
4. Copy native speakers: Play a sentence. Pause. Repeat exactly.

FAQs

Q: Should I learn American or British pronunciation? A: Pick one and be consistent. Both are correct.

Q: How long does it take to improve? A: With 15 minutes daily practice, you'll notice improvement in 2-3 months.

Q: Is my accent a problem? A: No! Focus on being clear, not perfect. Native speakers have accents too.