English proununciation can be difficult for international students. Yet, it is very important to have clear pronunciation. Perfection is not required, but clarity is. After all, it doesn’t matter how great your grammar and vocabulary are if no one can understand you.
So, how can you improve your English pronunciation?
I recommend the following steps:
1. Identify A Very Specific Result That You Want
To improve, you must have a very clear goal. General goals such as “I want to have better English pronunciation” have no power. You need a much more specific goal.
For example, pick your favorite American actor or actress and decide to speak like them. Your goal might be, “I will speak exactly like George Cloony”. This goal is much more powerful because it is very specific.
2. Choose A Deadline
Goals are powerless without a timeline. You must choose a specific date when you will accomplish your pronunciation goal. Your goal, therefore, might be: “I will speak exactly like George Cloony by June 4, 2009″.
3. Find A Lot of Compelling Reasons For Your Goal
As Anthony Robbins says, “if you can find enough ‘why’s', you will easily find the how’s”. In other words, if you are very motivated, you will find a way to succeed. Motivation (psychology) is more important than method.
It’s not enough to have a goal. You must make that goal emotionally powerful. You must have very powerful reasons.. a long list. So, you need to brainstorm. Imagine all of the incredibe benefits that will come to you as a result of having excellent pronunciation. Find powerful emotional reasons. Also, imagine all of the terrible results of failing.
Your list might include:
I’ll get a fantastic job and make a lot of money because my English speech is so clear!
I’ll meet beautiful American girls, have a lot of dates, and find an amazing girlfriend because my spoken English is so fantastic!
The important thing to do is to find the reasons that are powerful for you. Exaggerate them. Imagine the best possible consequences!
4. Take Massive Action
You have a very specific English pronunciation goal. You have a deadline. You have a long list of emotionally compelling reasons.
Now it’s time for action. Create a massive action plan. Here’s what I recommend:
Buy a few movies that have your favorite actor or actress.
Each day, watch one scene of the movie. Play the scene a few times with subtitles… and listen carefully to the actor’s intonation (the rise, fall, and rhythm of his/her speech).
Next, rewind and play just one sentence. Pause and copy the actor’s speech. Copy it EXACTLY. Copy the rhythm. Copy the volume. Copy the pauses. Copy the emotion.
Also, copy the actor’s gestures. Move your body exactly like they do. Copy their facial expressions exactly. Copy their posture. Remember, your goal is to look, act, and speak exactly like them.
Follow this system for 20-30 minutes every day.
5. Measure & Celebrate
After a few months of using this system, it’s time to measure yourself. Play a scene from a movie with your actor in it. Then pause it– copy the actor’s speech AND record yourself. Record yourself speaking the same scene.
Next, rewind your recording and play it. Then rewind the movie scene and play it. Listen to both and decide– how close are you to the actor? What is different about your speech and theirs? What are you doing well?
Use this measurement to adjust your focus…. then continue using the system everyday.
Finally, when your deadline comes and you succeed– be sure to celebrate! Have a party! Go crazy! Fill yourself with happy, excited, grateful emotions. This will increase your motivation and will help you continue to improve as you move to your next goal.
In my opinion, this is how to learn English pronunciation most effectively, most enjoyably, and most efficiently.
Enjoy!
December 5th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
You are dioing a great job which can’t be purchased spending mioolions of dollars.
I am impressed going through your website. It’s really a unique method.
I have been teaching English language to my students for the last 8 years. I was sometimes successful and sometimes not. I believe this method can be very helpful for me in teaching my students. I will apply your methods in the classrooms.
God bless you and do somthing great for the humanity. People having positive attitude around the world will always stand beside you.
Rayhan, Qatar
December 8th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Hi AJ,
thanks for your help!
I’ve actually tried this method for about 1 year and the other day my US civilization teacher asked me if I’d had lived in the US hahaha. Besides it’s fun and it’s so great when people don’t have to ask you to repeat because they can’t understand what you say.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Great job AJ!
It’s very nice and fun.
I try it.
December 11th, 2008 at 1:37 am
MR.A.J.HOJE, I THINK YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE AND YOUR ENGLISH LESSONS.YOU ARE PERFECT AND VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US.PLEASE KEEP DOING IT.YOU MAKE US FEEL HAPPÝ.THANKS AND REGARDS.
December 13th, 2008 at 6:59 am
this is superb forme .i like it
December 18th, 2008 at 5:48 am
I will become a English teacher next two years, but now i am still not confident about my ability in teaching English..
I hope that your help trough this website will build myself confidence.Thanks…
December 19th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
hi sir nice job
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 am
DEAR A.J.HOJE, I WANT TO TELL YOU THE FOLLOWING:
FOR ALL OF US YOU ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PERSON…THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MARCOS MATTAR
January 6th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I have just found this site, it is really intresting and helpful. i love it
Haroon
Kabul, Afghanistan
January 7th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
I have just started it, I have very high motivation and I hope that I will not have to ask people to speak slowly
January 8th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
A.J i just found your website today and i’m looking forward to learn english effectively.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Thank you very much AJ, my confidence, my English and also my life is more easy for your lessons and advices. now I understand more idioms and slams…
January 18th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Thanks for your wonderful system.
January 20th, 2009 at 7:04 am
thaks for A.j.hoge thanks about your website that intersting me every time i listing the samples evry time i love this site i hope to couninue i want to send to me any essay that improve my learning english untle became like native speakers thank you A.j.hoge to thes service the the poor person of the world thanks again
hazoat
January 27th, 2009 at 4:17 am
I am a new comer in this website.I am a teacher one of senior high school in Banten, Indonesia. I am confuse how to teach Inglish to my students.After I find your website, I am very interested, it is very simple and easy to understand,I hope I will get new methods for teaching and I can apply them in my teaching.Thank you very much, You are great teacher. God bless you
January 30th, 2009 at 7:13 am
I am a new commer in your wibesite. I am really happy to find your wibesite. You find for us different way to speak English. Thanks for your kindness. I am really gratfull to you.
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 am
My English is very poor. Today, I have received your “7 Rules” completely. It’s really great. I’m sure, your 7 Rules will help me much to improve my English.
Thank you very much A.J.
suamba
October 27th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Hi!
I’m working in a call center, and i need to have a clear pronunciation, as i believe this skill would be a great tool in getting a high caller satisfaction survey.You’ve listed 5 steps but i don’t think i may be able to buy your effort english system, so sad,right?…However maybe i shoul d stick first to those 5 steps and i’ll see what will happen… thanks!
September 26th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
This article is excellent to improve my pronunciation. Thank A.H
September 26th, 2011 at 5:42 am
This is a very powerful motivation AJ. Thanks!
September 26th, 2011 at 6:15 am
Great advice AJ That’s why you are the best English Teacher in the world. Good luck your English Life. Thanks for helping us!!!
October 4th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Thank you so much! You make me more confident, I love English more and more! Effortless English is the best technique for learning English. Very powerful and successful lessons to improve our English! Thank you so much!
October 4th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Powerful pronunciation method!