Pronunciation
Click along the gray tabs below for instructions and links to other pronunication resources. Please note: For these pages we recommend using Safari, Firefox, or Internet Explorer. Some features in the pages are not supported in Chrome.
How to use this tool to record your voice:
You need a headset and microphone to use this tool, (and the latest Java plug-in installed on your computer).
Each pronunciation page has sound files of a native speaker saying words and phrases using the target sound. You can use the Nanogong recording applet, demonstrated in the image below, to record your voice and compare your pronunication with the native speaker.
Videos of British English sounds and features with
exercises and quizzes.
Exercises to help you hear what people are saying especially when they speak too quickly! Starts with Question Sounds.
The author of these self-access pronunciation pages is Katherine Gilliver-Brown of the University of Waikato Student Learning department. They provide a tool by which students can actively compare their pronunciation of English sounds with that of a native speaker by recording their voices into the browser.
Thank you to the following people:
- WCeL (Waikato Centre for eLearning), particularly to Derek White, and Troy Williams. To Derek for helping identify Nanogong as the ideal recording applet, and to Troy for helping me understand multi-dimensional arrays in js and the odd tweak at my code to make it better!
- The University of Waikato Webteam particularly Georgina Allbrook and Douglas Davey, for being inspired enough by my first prototype to make suggestions to improve the appearance and usability of this interface.
- My colleagues at Student Learning for their encouragement.
The tools used in these pages are Nanogong, the voice recording applet provided free on the web, and jquery jplayer.
Enjoy - Katherine