Pronunciation!
When you talk with someone else, do you know the
FIRST thing they notice about your English? It's not your grammar.
It's not even your vocabulary.
It's your PRONUNCIATION!
People get an instant impression of your English skills based on your pronunciation.
If your pronunciation is good, you'll appear to be more fluent (even if you're not fluent yet).
But if you have bad pronunciation, it can make your English sound worse than it really is.
Three levels of English pronunciation
Your “pronunciation level” is not necessarily linked to your general level of English.
It’s possible for a beginner English student to have excellent pronunciation. For example, someone who knows few words and only basic grammar, but speaks clearly.
It's also possible for an advanced English student to have bad pronunciation. This student might have a great vocabulary and perfect grammar... but unfortunately has a lot of difficulty communicating because of a strong foreign accent.
Which "level" of pronunciation do you think you're currently at?
Level 1: English speakers don’t understand you very well.
At this level, your pronunciation of English words is so different that native speakers find it very difficult to understand you. You need to repeat what you say frequently.
Level 2: English speakers understand you, but they have to concentrate.
At this level, native English speakers can understand you, but they need to pay attention carefully. You sometimes need to repeat things.
Level 3: English speakers understand you clearly and easily.
At this level, you may still have an accent, but you can speak English clearly enough to be understood all the time. You almost never need to repeat what you say in English.
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You want to be at Level 3, right?
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