City University of New York (CUNY)’s Baruch College offers a suite of pronunciation “Tools to Go,” featuring animations of how sounds are made inside the mouth and lots of interactive pronunciation activities for both single sounds and connected speech. There is also an interesting section focused on vocabulary and communication choices for politely accomplishing communication goals.
Three “Tools to Go” sections
- Consonants and Vowels: From the “n” that links to “on” or “in” to the “v” in “love,” interactive exercises allow you to practice using the clear explanations of how specific sounds are produced.
Rhythm & Flow: Speaking smoothly isn’t just about saying the right words or enunciating sounds clearly. “Tools to Go” helps you explore how to emphasize key points and use rhythm to help your listeners hear the most important words you are saying.
- Rhythm, Intonation, and More: Numerous activities and models invite you to explore patterns in connected speech.
- Vocabulary for specific situations: This section emphasizes phrases for communication goals like apologizing or requesting, with emphasis on appropriate or predictable usage in the New York City region. Even if you’re not going to be using English in this geographic area, these materials provide a way to categorize and think about what turns of phrase represent “appropriate communication” in your English communication communities.
