How to improve your listening with connected speech
Last week, we looked at the problems connected speech can cause when you’re trying to understand spoken English. But, is it really possible to make sense of all of those mashed-up sounds?
The good news is: yes, it is!
Just like you learned the grammar rules for English, you can learn the rules of connected speech. In the last article, I highlighted some common ones, and we’ll look more in-depth at each type in future articles. The University of Minnesota has some great videos to explain common features in American English, along with a quiz to test yourself on your understanding. (Thanks, Daria, for the recommendation!)
Once you start noticing these features when you’re listening, make a list of some of the common ones you hear. You can hear how those words are said on PlayPhrase or just look at a new phrase each time you visit.
Test yourself with a version of the game Mad Gab, where you look at a phrase like Sand Tackle Laws and, by sounding it out, you realize it’s really Santa Claus. I found something similar under the name Mad Babble on Google Play and ios or on the web here and here.
Music is a really great place to see these features of connected speech. You can use apps like LyricsGaps or LingoClip (formerly LyricsTraining) or you can listen to any song, read the lyrics and mark the different features of connected speech that you hear.
Connected speech can be tricky for English learners, but, with practice, you can start to Listen Better in English.
Which activity are you going to try? Let me know which ones you like!