Below you’ll find resources for pronunciation, general English language learning, and career enhancement sites.
Pronunciation Resources
The Sounds of American English:
This website shows the different mouth positions and movements for each sound of American English. If you are ever confused about exactly what is happening in your mouth as you say a sound, this is a great resource!
Find the sound you are interested in learning and play a video of the illustrated movement or a video of a person saying it.
(app available – Sounds of Speech – website version is free)
YouGlish.com:
Have you ever wanted to hear how native English speakers would use a specific word or a phrase?
Then you’ll LOVE this tool!
YouTube developed this resource where you can enter a word or a phrase and they’ll gather videos from their massive library with that word or phrase in it. You can then go through each video clip and hear how the phrase is used.
Be sure to click on ‘US’ (see my arrow) if you want to hear the American English accent.
Have fun!!
Dictionary.com:
This is the online dictionary/pronunciation guide I like to use. You can click the sound icon next to the word to hear the pronunciation, break the word apart into syllables, you can see the ‘spelling’ of the word based on pronunciation (similar to Ruden Phonetics), or you can click on ‘spell’ to see the IPA version.
Audible.com:
Listening to audiobooks not only is a great way to ‘read’ while you are driving, folding laundry, exercising, etc. but it is also a great way to expose yourself to the pronunciation and rhythm of American speakers. As you are learning new skills and rules in the Pronunciation Pro Course, you’ll hear these rules applied while you listen.
I use Audible but there are many other ways to get audiobooks from libraries or other companies.
English Language Learning Resources
ESL-Lab.com:
Amazing resource for English language learners!! This website has hundreds of audio examples of American English conversations divided into topics. Each example has a quiz to help you test your comprehension. If you need to improve your listening, this is a great place to practice!
Plurals:
Having trouble with plurals and when to use them correctly? This site has a great explanation with several great examples.
Descriptive Vocabulary:
Are you frustrated that sometimes you can’t describe things as well in English as you do your first language? It’s probably because you don’t have the descriptive vocabulary you need. This site will help you expand the way you describe your world in English!
Career Resources
Business English Resource:
You will be ‘blown away’ by the free resources available on this site! Business idioms, common English mistakes, English lessons, vocabulary, and more!
Interview Questions:
Getting ready for an interview? Use these top 100 interview questions to prepare (use this site for CIO specific questions). Record yourself responding to these questions and then listen back to your recording to see how you did. Remember the 3 easy tips – Slow Down, Move Your Mouth, Speak Up!
Resume Writing:
Need help writing your resume? This site provides examples of powerful verbs you can use to enhance your resume!
Negotiation Vocabulary:
Vocabulary can be critical when negotiating terms of a new job, a pay raise, salary, or benefits. You deserve the very best and we want you to be fully prepared to get what you are worth. Review these vocabulary words and you’ll be ready!