1. PRONUNCIATION
STEP 1: FINAL CONSONANT SOUNDS
In English, most words that end in consonant sounds are pronounced. In Vietnamese,
however, words that end in consonant sounds are not pronounced, leading many
Vietnamese learners to mispronounce final consonant sounds. Mispronunciation of final
consonant sounds can lead to confusion and misinterpretation on the part of the listener.
Examples
English Vietnamese
Meet
cook
cat
bitch
team
set
catch
pop
shock
put
fat
mit
cúc
cát
bích
tim
sét
cách
bóp
sốc
phút
phát
The cat sat on his lap.
You shouldn’t be so upset.
She has not come yet.
STEP 2: WORD STRESS
Stressing the correct syllables of words when speaking helps the listener to more clearly
understand changes when the word form changes. Notice how word stress changes when
the following suffixes are added. –able, -age, -al, -ate, -ible, -ic, -ity, -ment, -ology, -ous, -
and –tion.
Music
Italy
Social
Drama
Invite
Pronounce
Memory
Musician
Italian
Society
Dramatic
Invitation
Pronunciation
Memorable
Generous
Hospitable
Alphabet
Instrument
Misery
National
Technology
Generosity
Hospitality
Alphabetical
Instrumental
Miserable
Nationality
Technological

2. STEP 3: SHORT VOWELS AND LONG VOWELS
Short vowels Long vowels
Live
It
His
Sit
Ship
Hill
Fill
Cat
dog
pack
spot
hot
foot
book
mother
other
fat
at
butter
judge
sugar
Leave
Eat
He’s
Seat
Sheep
Heel
feel
Car
dark
park
Sport
hard
Food
boot
Murder
Order
Far
Art
Bird
Church
Super
STEP 4: VOICED AND UNVOICED
Unvoiced Voiced
Pack
Cold
Back
Fan
Half
Two
Bet
Price
Pressure
Breath
church
Back
gold
bag
van
have
do
bed
prize
treasure
breathe
judge
Mr. B LAM

3. Tongue twisters
Vicky lives in Vietnam.
Phil’s a fantastic footballer.
David doesn’t drive.
Tim eats out on Tuesday.
Sally speaks Spanish.
Liz is in Brazil.
William works as a waiter.
Karen likes coffee.
Gabriel goes to golf classes.
Paul’s a politician.
Charles teaches Chinese.
Jim and George are journalists.
Are you a student?
A singer sings songs.
What’s your brother’s job?
I think my cousin is thirty three.
They live with their father.
My mother’s name is Mary.
Do you know my nephew Nick?
Her husband’s a hairdresser.
She kisses him and he thinks she loves him.
She sells sea-shells on the sea-shore.
How many cookies could a good cook cook If a good cook could cook cookies?
Betty bought some butter, but the butter Betty bought was bitter.