We’re training English phrases today. Phrases you might use at the airport or on a flight. I really
want you to focus on the smoothness of the phrases linking word to word. You’re going to see and you
were going to see and hear a phrase and I’ve written the shape of the melody like this:
You’ll see a little curve up and down, that’s a stressed syllable. And you’ll also see that
in general, the trend for a statement in American English or a question that’s not a yes no question
is that the pitch, volume and vocal energy go down across the statement. Focus on that
as you’re listening not the black and white of the words.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
When you hear it in slow motion, it helps you focus even more on that linking and smoothness on
the melody on the red line. I want you to repeat in slow motion feeling that too, that sloppiness.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
I’ll also show you the phonetic symbols on screen
to help notice things like reductions or when the T sounds is dropped in counter.
I’m looking for the Delta counter.
A training video like this isn’t really learning about a concept. It’s about asking your body to
practice a new language, a new way of speaking. Leave your ideas about English behind and respond
to the visual of what you see on screen, that smooth red line. Get your body to relax
and have fun with this. And as always, if you like this video or you learn something new,
please give it a thumbs up and subscribe with notifications, I’d love you to study with me.
We’re giving you lots to train with. Over 40 phrases and you may even learn new ways to
say things or to use a word. Let’s get started. You’ll hear each phrase once at regular pace,
twice in slow motion and once at regular pace. Each time after you hear it, there will be a pause
for you to repeat. Let your body relax and feel that red line. All words are linked and connected.
For the first time in the video, I’ll be using this symbol which you’ll see in the
next sentence. That’s the symbol for an unreleased stop consonant like t, d or p. In the next slide,
you’ll see it in the name JetBlue. There’s no T release in that phrase. It’s just
Jet..Blue. That stop of air, the unreleased T, very quick lift in the line, JetBlue,
JetBlue. So when you see this symbol, you know you won’t hear t, d, or p. You won't hear the
release. The mouth goes into position, stops the air and then moves on to the next sound.
Are you feeling that smooth connection between words?
Now is a great time to pause the video and for just ten or fifteen seconds,
describe your day in English and try to keep the same feeling. The red line flowing from word to
word, the linking. And if you’re ready now to keep your studies going, check out this video.
Be sure to subscribe with notifications and if you want to train your American voice even more, check
out my online courses at Rachel’s English Academy. We have an extremely supportive community there
of people just like you. That’s it and thanks so much for using Rachel’s English.