In the process of learning English, while the most fundamental foundation is pronunciation, vocabulary is regarded as the “backbone”. Learners will have a difficult time communicating in English if they lack even one of these two factors. However, how do you effectively integrate pronunciation with vocabulary learning? Let’s look into it in the article below!
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Common difficulties when learning English vocabulary and pronunciation
Here are some issues that learners frequently encounter while broadening their vocabulary and practicing pronunciation.
Spend too much time looking up the phonetic transcription of words
If you learn English through stories or movies, you may feel extremely uncomfortable sometimes when having to pause your reading/ watching to look up new words. There are so many new words that if you look them up, you won’t be able to understand the content you’re watching.
If you want to pronounce confidently, you must first look up the meaning of the words and then see how they are pronounced. To remember both the meanings and pronunciations of words, you must work hard to take notes, consult the dictionary, and practice.
Not to mention, do you admit to being a freeloader when it comes to writing down the transcription of new words? Although you are aware that the IPA characters are the foundation for helping you pronounce better, they still give you headaches.
Don’t know how to practice pronunciation
All of the information you get when you look up a word in the dictionary, such as the meaning and phonetic symbols, are just definitions on paper. If you don’t take the time to learn and practice English pronunciation rules, you won’t be able to read them correctly.
There are many words in English that are written one way and pronounced another. English, in particular, has many complex pronunciation elements such as linking sounds, ending sounds, word stress, and so on that change depending on the context in which words are used. You’d be “completely blind” if you just took notes like a machine without a visual pronunciation guide.
Can’t remember the pronunciation
How to “remember” for an extended period of time is a difficult problem in any field, not just English. According to scientific studies, the brain tends to discard unnecessary information in order to make room for impressive information that is repeated frequently. In other words, whether or not you want to remember that information will cause your brain to store it in your thoughts.
It is easier to remember the pronunciation of an English word when we see it frequently or when it is related to the field in which we are interested. On the contrary, if you learn words in a hurried, tasteless manner, you will quickly forget both the pronunciation and the meaning of that new word.
The relationship between English vocabulary and pronunciation
In English, the meanings of words and their pronunciation are intimately connected. Once you’ve mastered this connection, you’ll be able to speak English like a native speaker.
Pronounce correctly to use correct words
Pronunciation is also important in determining the meaning of a word in English. Not knowing how to pronounce words, mispronouncing them, or using them incorrectly can lead to awkward situations.
In particular, in English, simply changing the stress changes the meaning of the word. It can be said that pronunciation has a great influence on the use of English vocabulary in communication.
Pronounce correctly to memorize vocabulary better
When learning new English words, if you only read the meaning and see how to spell it but don’t remember the word or know how to pronounce it, you won’t be able to remember it for long. The human brain absorbs and retains information better when it is presented in the form of images and sounds. Remembering the pronunciation of words (sounds) is thus a method of remembering the meaning and knowing how to use the word.
An effective way to integrate pronunciation with vocabulary
Learning vocabulary and pronunciation at the same time is a simple, effective method for helping you remember words for as long as possible and overcoming any difficulties you may be experiencing.
Step 1: Learn phonetic transcription in IPA
Regardless of how much the phonetic characters give you a headache, the IPA phonetic table is similar to the ABC alphabet regarding learning pronunciation. In English, simply looking at the letters will not teach you how to pronounce them correctly.
Once you’ve learned the IPA phonetic alphabet, you’ll be able to recognize words simply by hearing them. Furthermore, once you understand the rules of phonetics, you will be able to correctly pronounce words, phrases, and sentences. Listeners will also gain a better understanding of the information you are attempting to convey.
Step 2: Learn the meaning of words with IPA phonetic transcription
Instead of learning words and their reading separately after memorizing the pronunciation rules, combine these two elements at the same time to save time. Learning to combine meanings and word pronunciations, in particular, will help you with words that are spelled the same but read differently and have different meanings.
Learning the meaning of words through IPA phonetic transcription is another popular method of learning English through flashcards. New words will be illustrated with eye-catching pictures and phonetic pronunciation on each word card. This is a method of converting information into images and sounds, stimulating your brain to remember words faster and for a longer period of time.
Step 3: Learn how to use the word
Don’t forget to learn how to use the word once you’ve learned its meaning and correct pronunciation. Knowing how to use the right words in the context will “save” you from using the wrong words, which can lead to misunderstandings and even unintended consequences in communication.
Especially if you know how to use words and immediately apply them in practice, you will remember them for a longer period of time than if you just take notes, right?
If you’re looking for a learning tool to help you expand your English vocabulary and practice pronunciation, watch out for GOGA – the communication English learning app.
What do you get when learning English with GOGA?
- With 72 pronunciation videos created by native teachers, you can learn how to pronounce the 40 syllables IPA.
- Practise and grade pronunciation with AI artificial intelligence technology that is accurate to each phoneme.
- 11 common communication topics, each with 45 to 90 new words, will help you expand your vocabulary. Each new word is illustrated with appealing images and sample pronunciations, making it simple to remember the meaning and pronunciation.
- To learn how to use words, apply new words directly into sample conversations and listen to how native speakers read words when communicating.
- Playing fun games allows you to practice and memorize vocabulary.
GOGA is currently available on both Android and iOS platforms. Download GOGA today to experience a new method of learning words that combines simple and super effective IPA!
Android: https://bitly.com.vn/weyrn9