Getting Started: Before You Practice

 

Q1: How should I watch the video for the first time?

A: Just listen first – close your eyes if possible. This helps you focus purely on the sound without any distractions. Get familiar with how the word should sound before you start analyzing the movements.

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Q2: Should I pause the video or watch it straight through?

A: Watch however works best for you! All our videos include both normal speed and slow motion versions, so you don't need to manually adjust playback speed.

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Recommended approach:

• First viewing: Watch straight through at normal speed to get the overall feel

• Study phase: Use the slow-motion section to analyze mouth and tongue positions in detail

• Practice phase: Pause whenever you need to compare your movements with the video

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There's no single "correct" way – experiment and find what helps you learn best!

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Why Start with the Alphabet?

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Q3: Do I really need to practice the alphabet? I already know ABCs!

A: Yes – and here's why it matters more than you think:

The alphabet contains the building blocks (phonemes) of every English word. When you master each letter's pronunciation, you're actually learning mouth movements you'll use in thousands of words later.

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Think of it like this:

• Master the alphabet = learn the basic muscle movements

• Practice longer words = combine those movements you already know

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Real-world scenario: Imagine calling a hotel or restaurant abroad to make a reservation. You need to spell your name clearly over the phone:

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❌ "S-M-I-T-H" with unclear pronunciation → confusion, repetition, frustration
✅ "S (crisp) - M (clear) - I (sharp) - T (precise) - H (breathy)" → understood immediately

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Every letter matters!

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Yes, alphabet practice might feel basic or even boring. But it's the foundation that makes everything else easier. Don't skip leg day at the gym!

 

What to Watch For

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Q4: What should I focus on in the front view vs. side view?

A:

• Front view: Focus on the mouth shape – lip position, jaw opening, teeth visibility

• Side view: Focus on the tongue position – where it touches, how high it rises, front vs. back movement

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Both angles work together to give you the complete picture!

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Practice Techniques

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Q5: Do I need to practice out loud, or can I just mouth the words silently?

A: Out loud is strongly recommended, but silent practice can still help!

 

Here's the difference:

• Out loud practice: Trains your muscles AND your vocal cords. You get auditory feedback and build confidence for real conversations.

• Silent practice: Can help with muscle memory for mouth and tongue positions, but you miss the sound production training.

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Best approach:

• Practice out loud whenever possible (at home, in your car, during a walk)

• Use silent practice only when necessary (on public transport, in a quiet library)

• Always follow up silent practice with out-loud practice later

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Remember: your goal is to speak clearly, so you need to train your voice, not just your mouth!

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Q6: The mouth movements in your videos look exaggerated. Native speakers don't move their mouths like that, do they? This looks weird!

A: You're absolutely right – and that's intentional! Here's the secret:

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Why we exaggerate in the videos:

1. Teaching tool: Exaggerated movements make it easier to SEE what's happening inside the mouth

2. Muscle training: Your facial and tongue muscles need to learn the FULL range of motion first

3. Clarity foundation: Once your muscles "know" the correct pattern, they can perform it even when relaxed

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The training process:

1. Practice phase → Exaggerate the movements (like our videos show)

2. Muscle memory → Your muscles learn and remember the pattern

3. Natural speech → When speaking normally, your muscles move correctly automatically – but more subtly

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Important sign you're doing it right: Your face might feel tired or even slightly sore after practice! That's proof you're activating the correct muscles. Just like after a workout at the gym, that "good tired" feeling means you're building strength.

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Think of it like learning a dance: you practice big, dramatic movements in class, then perform them smoothly and naturally on stage. The exaggeration during training makes the natural execution possible!

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Q7: How many times should I practice each word?

A: Think of pronunciation practice like going to the gym:

• The instructor (our videos) shows you the correct form

• You have to do the actual reps

• Repetition is what builds muscle memory

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Practice until your mouth and tongue move automatically without thinking. For most people, that means:

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• 5-10 repetitions per session

• Practice the same word over several days

• Come back to difficult words weekly

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Your muscles need time to "learn" – one practice session isn't enough!

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Checking Your Progress

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Q8: How can I tell if I'm pronouncing it correctly?

A: Try the smartphone test!

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1. Open any app with speech-to-text (Google Docs, Notes, messaging apps)

2. Tap the microphone icon

3. Say the word you've been practicing

4. Check if it types the CORRECT word

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✅ If it does → Your pronunciation is clear enough to be understood!
❌ If it doesn't → Keep practicing and compare your mouth movements to the video

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Q9: What if I keep making the same mistake?

A:

1. Slow it down: Use the slow-motion section of our videos to catch every detail

2. Mirror check: Practice in front of a mirror to compare your mouth/tongue position

3. Record yourself: Film your practice and compare it side-by-side with our video

4. Focus on one detail: Sometimes fixing just the tongue position or lip shape solves everything

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Building a Practice Routine

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Q10: How long should I practice each day?

A: Quality over quantity!

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• 5 minutes of focused practice > 30 minutes of distracted practice

• Practice daily rather than cramming on weekends

• Better to practice 3 words thoroughly than 20 words poorly

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Consistency builds muscle memory faster than marathon sessions.

 

Q11: Should I master one word before moving to the next?

A: Yes! Master the foundation first.

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• Pick 2-3 words that cause you the most trouble

• Practice until the smartphone test works consistently

• Then move to new words

• Review old words weekly to maintain muscle memory

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You're building a skill, not collecting facts. Depth beats breadth.