5 Day Audio

MINI COURSE
for the 5 Most Commonly
Mispronounced Vowel Sounds
in Standard British English

EE ER AR OR OO

5 MINS A DAY!
 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

Ashley Howard has asserted his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

All right reserved. No part of this publication, including the accompanying audio, may be reproduced in any form of
binding or cover or circulated electronically without prior permission of Edwin Publishing and Media Ltd.

Edwin Publishing and Media Ltd

First published in 2015 by Edwin Publishing and Media Ltd

57 London Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 1BS
www.edwinpublishing.co.uk
 5 Day Audio
MINI COURSE

for the 5 Most Commonly Mispronounced

Vowel Sounds in Standard British English

written and illustrated by

Ashley Howard
 Hello, and Congratulations!
You’ve taken a vital step on your pronunciation ‘roadmap’ journey towards speaking British English
with more clarity and more confidence.

So, Let’s Get Straight To It!

Step 1: Decide whether you are a ‘sit-down’ learner or an ‘on-the-go’ kind of learner.

‘Sit-Down’ Learner - Chose the best 5 minutes in your day where you can indulge
your pronunciation dreams. Then bring up this guide on your computer, tablet or
phone (or you could print it out). Get your headphones or turn up your speakers
and have the audio ready to go.

‘On-The-Go’ Learner - You could just download the audio to your phone, tablet
or portable music device and grab your headphones. Or download this guide
onto your phone or tablet along with the audio and get ready watch, listen and learn.

Step 2: Go to DAY 1 in this guide, read the blurb at the top and look at pictures. Then play
AUDIO 1 and listen and repeat and listen and repeat. If you are just listening to the
audio without the guide, then just listen and repeat.

Step 3: At the end of each page, there is a subheading ‘Today’s 5 Words’ - these are 5 words
that you could listen out for in your conversations and if nothing else, encourage
your newly learnt pronunciation in those 5 words. This might be a more managable
way to start to integrate this skills into live speech, and it’s a bit like dominoes - one
you change one word, other’s start to fall in to place naturally!

That’s It - Good Luck And Go For It!

Oh, and if you’ve downloaded this as an EPUB most devices will allow you to click on the audio icons.

If not, or if you have downloaded this as a PDF, click this link (or copy and paste it into your browser)
to dowload the audio and then refer to the track numbers next to each audio icon to guide you:

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com/download-vowels

And if you need me at any point, just reach out and I or one of the team will help you:

support@englishpronunciationroadmap.com
 DAY 1
Target Sound: ee - the FLEECE vowel sound 1

Phonetic symbol: iː

Pronunciation: When pronouncing the FLEECE vowel sound on its own, the tongue tip is
behind the bottom teeth and the body of the tongue is up and forward.
The lips are very slightly spread, the jaw is loose, and the sound is long in
duration.

VIDEO
CLICK HERE
https://englishpronunciationroadmap.com/long-vowel-words/

Common Words and Typical Spellings:

ee creep meet seek beech reef teeth seed sleeve seethe

cheese seem green feel see tree agree needle feeder sweeten
e grebe these Peter even be me metre equal decent legal
penal complete scene she he we ie shriek belief brief piece
believe grieve field ei ceiling Keith Sheila deceive receive seize
ey key money y happy worry marry sorry hurry eo people
oe Phoenix subpoena foetus ea reap each meat speak teach
leaf beneath sea peace leash lead league leave pea breathe
please team mean deal sea tea feats reason weasel easy Easter
ae Caesar anaemic Aesop i police unique machine prestige elite
mosquito casino visa trio ski chic ay Quay

Practice Phrases:

• The people are easy going, the streets are clean, the evenings are peaceful – it’s a dream!
• Hurry up! We have to meet Lee on Oxford Street at three o’clock. Please! He will leave!
• Have you received the league tables yet? What reason did they give? Even Keith has seen them!
• Have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea? Coffee? Whiskey? I make a mean margarita!?

Today’s 5 Words: please me leave money sorry

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 1 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

 What’s your No. 1 Top Struggle
with Spoken English?
We want to know because we want to help you. Seriously! So, click
on the link right now to head over to our Facebook page. Hit ‘Like’
and then post your No. 1 Top Struggle with Spoken English.

https://www.facebook.com/EnglishPronunciationRoadmap

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 2 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

 DAY 2
Target Sound: er - the NURSE vowel sound 2

Phonetic symbol: ɜː

Pronunciation: When pronouncing the NURSE vowel sound on its own, the tongue tip is
behind the bottom teeth and the body of the tongue is slightly raised in the
middle of the mouth, like a little hill. The lips are relaxed, the jaw is loose, and
the sound is long in duration.

VIDEO
CLICK HERE
https://englishpronunciationroadmap.com/long-vowels/

Common Words and Typical Spellings:

er her twerp assert jerk perch berth terse verb emerge nerve
term stern deter preferred certain person immersion emergency
kernel ur nurture usurp nurse hurt church turf purse curb curd
urge curve furze turn curl spur occurred burnt burst murder
further urr purr ir virtual shirt irk birch birth bird dirge
firm girl stirred first circus virtue yr myrrh myrtle Byrne
ear earth search heard earn yearn earl pearl rehearsal early
earnest learn o colonel or work worth worse word worm
worst worthy our scourge adjourn courteous journal journalist journey

Practice Phrases:

• What a journey. I arrived early in Birmingham! That’s a first! Have you heard from Bertha?
• I worked on Thursday to earn some extra cash. I’m burnt out! I’m searching for a different job!
• He is certainly personable, but is he determined enough? I’ve heard he can get very nervous.
• The circus was awesome. Our girls loved it! It’s worth coming to. It’s first come first served.

Today’s 5 Words: her person first work heard

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 3 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

 DAY 3
Target Sound: ar - the BATH, PALM, START vowel sound 3

Phonetic symbol: ɑː

Pronunciation: When pronouncing the BATH, PALM, START vowel sound on its own, the
tongue tip is behind the bottom teeth and the back of the tongue is low,
level with the bottom molars. The lips are relaxed, the jaw is loose, and the
sound is long in duration.

VIDEO
CLICK HERE
https://englishpronunciationroadmap.com/long-vowel-sounds/

Common Words and Typical Spellings:

a staff giraffe path brass class glass grass pass draft grasp gasp
blast cast fast last past contrast vast ask task after Shaftesbury
master disaster nasty disastrous basket dance advance chance France
glance chant plant advantage demand command example sample
answer rather shan’t can’t Iraq morale Iran Sudan banana father
bra Bach façade spa staccato bravado incommunicado lager
Pakistan sari safari cascara scenario Sahara tiara ar far star
bar sharp part bark arch start scarf farce harsh garb card
large carve parse farm barn snarl Charles party market marvelous
au laugh auntie draught al calf half halve calm balm psalm
almond er sergeant ear heart hearken hearth are are

Practice Phrases:

• I start work in March, I’ve moved into my apartment and Charles has asked me marry him!
• You’ve grasped the basics, but the task is asking for more creativity. The answers are advanced.
• I played draughts with my aunt Clara, and we laughed so hard! She’s not for the faint-hearted!
• Are you ready? Stay calm and collected! The time will pass by so fast. This is the last part!

Today’s 5 Words: ask after far start are

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 4 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

 DAY 4
Target Sound: or - the THOUGHT, NORTH, FORCE vowel sound 4

Phonetic symbol: ɔː

Pronunciation: When pronouncing the THOUGHT, NORTH, FORCE vowel sound on its
own, the tongue tip is behind the bottom teeth and the back of the tongue
is raised up in the back of the mouth. The lips are rounded, the jaw is loose,
and the sound is long in duration.

VIDEO
CLICK HERE
https://englishpronunciationroadmap.com/vowels-in-english/

Common Words and Typical Spellings:

au sauce cause Paul autumn caution author Laura aw gawp

hawk crawl sawn yawn jaw law saw draw awe paw
ar toward war quart quarter quartz sward swarm swarthy warble
ward warden wardrobe warlock warm warmth warp Warsaw wart
a water all fall small wall appall install bald tall augh taught
caught naughty daughter naught ough ought bought wrought brought
fought sought thought al chalk talk walk stalk calk oa broad
hoary oar hoarse board hoard boarder our your mourn course
court fourth course resource source courtier pour or or short
George sport form born fortunate important shorten order ordinary
organise normal forward report support afford sword torn
ore more sore before explore ignore more score snore store

Practice Phrases:

• I thought that we all agreed – the tallest first and the shortest last? The order is important!
• I bought a warm jumper in autumn and I’m wearing it in August!? It’s appalling! I’m bored of it!
• It’s fortunate that I was walking behind you.You would have fallen and broken your jaw!
• Before we talk, I implore you not to mention Paul. It’s too awkward. Laura? Are you alright?

Today’s 5 Words: thought your or important more

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 5 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

 DAY 5
Target Sound: oo - the GOOSE vowel sound 5

Phonetic symbol: Uː

Pronunciation: When pronouncing the GOOSE vowel sound on its own, the tongue tip is
behind the bottom teeth and the back of the tongue is raised up in the back
of the mouth. The lips are rounded, the jaw is loose, and the sound is long in
duration.

VIDEO
CLICK HERE
https://englishpronunciationroadmap.com/english-vowels/

Common Words and Typical Spellings:

oo loop shoot spook smooch food proof loose mood groove

smooth choose boom spoon fool too boost sooner booty tooth
roof hoof o_e move prove lose whose rude plume oe shoe
o tomb do movie who two ou group youth ghoul you
ough through u lucre prudent flu lucid crucial ludicrous lunatic
dupe mute duke truth obtuse cube fugue huge tuna amuse tune
funeral duty pupil mucus confusion music human nude ui bruise
fruit juice cruise nuisance ue blue glue true rue eu sleuth
deuce feud neutral feudal eunuch ew newt new few knew
sewage threw wo two eau beauty beautiful ie view review

Practice Phrases:

• The dresses are too beautiful to choose between. I’m confused! What to do? I’ll get two!
• He threw the tools on the floor, called me a ludicrous nuisance and ran out through the hall!
• Very few things move me like these salubrious Peruvian tunes and Luke’s amusing anecdotes.
• I think it’s crucial to begin soon.You get the students, I’ll start the music and we’ll conclude.

Today’s 5 Words: you do who through new

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 6 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard

 So, what’s next?
One step at a time...

I know life is busy and most of us who want to improve our pronunciation want to do so as fast as
possible. But as with everything that is worthwhile, it’ll take time, lots of practice and a bit of patience
- but you WILL get there, and that’s a fact! As one client said to me, ‘I’ve learnt to let it percolate - just
like how I brew my coffee’ - wise words from a very wise and successful woman.

However, it’s nice to have a PLAN - right? So you focus on this 5 Day Audio MINI COURSE and let me
take care of the rest. Once you have completed the course, I’ll let you know the next best step to
get you accelerating in your vocal transformation - I promise.

I’ll speak to you soon

Ashley

P.S. There are some FREE GIFTS on their way to you as we speak (just because I really want you to
succeed) so keep checking your email.

What’s your No. 1 Top Struggle with Spoken English?

Have you posted your No.1 Top Struggle yet? We want to know because we want to help you.
Seriously! So, click on the link right now, head over to our Facebook page, hit ‘Like’ and then post
your No. 1 Top Struggle with Spoken English.

https://www.facebook.com/EnglishPronunciationRoadmap

www.englishpronunciationroadmap.com 7 Copyright © 2015 Ashley Howard