Episode 178
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Hi, everybody! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently. Speaking English is way easier than it seems! You just have to use the right material and techniques.
In this episode, you’ll learn some new tongue twisters in English to help you with your English pronunciation.
And with a mini-story, you will improve your fluency. A mini-story is very simple but very powerful. I ask easy questions on purpose so that you can simulate a conversation. It's like talking with another person in English.
Before we get started, go to my website SpeakEnglishPodcast.com
Ok. Let's start!
So, do you remember what a tongue twister is?
It can be a difficult phrase that we say quickly, usually because of a sequence of almost similar sounds.
For example, "Peter Piper picked a pickle of pickled peppers."
Many people use tongue twisters to speak clearly, including actors, politicians, etc.
These allow you to practice pronunciation and agility when it comes to producing sounds in English.
So today, we are going to practice English pronunciation with new tongue twisters.
Are you ready?
Let's go!
I will start saying each tongue twister slowly, and then I'll go faster.
At first, they may seem very difficult, so make sure you have the text in front of you to be able to follow it better.
Ok. So, I will say it very slowly:
1. I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
Are you ready to speed it up? (Say it faster.)
I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
Ok. Even faster!
I saw a kitten eating chicken in the kitchen.
I hope you're having fun. Let's continue!
2) I thought I thought of thinking of thanking you.
Ok. Now I'm gonna speed it up! (say it faster.)
I thought I thought of thinking of thanking you.
Ok. Even faster!
I thought I thought of thinking of thanking you.
3) A big black bug snoozed on a big black rug.
Ok. Say it faster!
A big black bug snoozed on a big black rug.
Even faster!
A big black bug snoozed on a big black rug.
4) Thin sticks, thick bricks.
Ok. Say it faster!
Thin sticks, thick bricks.
Even faster!
Thin sticks, thick bricks.
5) Fred fed Ted bread, and Ted fed Fred bread.
Say it faster!
Fred fed Ted bread, and Ted fed Fred bread.
Even faster!
Fred fed Ted bread, and Ted fed Fred bread.
Ok, that’s it for now, I really hope you’re having fun practicing your English pronunciation but before we continue…
Ok, let’s continue with a mini-story.
Now, let’s practice.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
IMPROVE YOUR SPEAKING
Mini-Story: Speaking Practice
Answer the questions aloud with short and quick responses. Repeat the Mini-Story several times to improve your speaking and listening.
Tim was terrified of public speaking and was looking for a solution.
Was Tim terrified of speaking to his friends?
No. No. He was terrified of public speaking.
Was Tim relaxed?
No. No. He was terrified. He was terrified of public speaking.
Did Tim look for something?
Yes. Tim looked for a solution.
One day, his friend recommended that he join a public speaking club.
Did his friend recommend that he saw a therapist?
No. No. His friend recommended Tim to join a club.
Where did his friend recommend him to go? To a nightclub?
No. No. His friend recommended that he join a public speaking club to practice public speaking.
Tim felt it was an excellent opportunity to step out of his comfort zone.
Did Tim feel it was a terrible opportunity?
No. No. He felt it was an excellent opportunity.
Was it an excellent opportunity for Tim to stay in his comfort zone?
No. No. Quite the opposite. It was an excellent opportunity for Tim to step out of his comfort zone.
Tim finally attended the club as a guest and enjoyed himself for a few minutes.
Did Tim attend the pub?
No. No. Tim attended the public speaking club.
Did he attend the club as a member?
No. Not as a member. He attended the club as a guest.
Did Tim have a hard time for a few minutes?
No. No. Tim didn't have a hard time. He enjoyed himself for a few minutes.
Finally, Tim introduced himself in front of everyone and then recited some tongue twisters.
Did Tim finally introduce himself?
Yes. Finally, Tim introduced himself.
How did he introduce himself?
He introduced himself in front of everyone.
Did he sing a song?
No. No. He didn’t sing a song. He recited some tongue twisters.
Well done, Tim! While he was terrified of public speaking, he had the courage to join a club and even recited a few tongue twisters. What a brave man!
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
tongue twister
a phrase that is difficult to say quickly.
similar sounds
speech sounds that are almost alike.
agility
the ability to move or respond quickly and easily.
public speaking
speaking formally to an audience.
terrified
extremely frightened.
recite
say a text aloud from memory.
join a club
become a member of an organized group.
courage
the ability to do something despite fear.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
Thanks for information
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