What Is the Best App for English Pronunciation?

From online grammar checkers to language-oriented podcasts, the language-learning market is burgeoning with new technologies that make it easier than ever to learn English. And, while there are many excellent options out there for learning this wonderful language, the task of narrowing down the best app for English pronunciation can be daunting. This is why we’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list to help you find the best app for English pronunciation.

However, it is important to remember that language-learning apps are supplemental tools that work better when you combine them with more formal language-learning methods such as a customized course with online language tutors. Combining both will help you to understand the nuances of English pronunciation better and internalize it more quickly.

Having said this, here are the best apps for learning English and what you can do with them.

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1. Say It: Pronunciation

One app that consistently comes up when searching for the best app for English pronunciation is Say It. This app is designed to help you master the sounds of British English through a series of exercises and games. What’s more, it provides detailed feedback on your progress so that you can see how well you are doing.

Oh, and in case you’re someone who is seduced by prestige, you should know that Say It was developed by Oxford University Press, a.k.a., the publishers that gave us the most complete English dictionary in history!

Let’s take a look at everything you can do with Say It: Pronunciation.

• If you have no idea how strong your English pronunciation really is, you can take a pronunciation test by repeating a group of high-frequency words pre-chosen by Say It, which go from very easy to highly challenging.
• Whenever you are working with a word, you can touch any letter and see what sounds from the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) are involved in its pronunciation. Getting familiar with IPA symbols, their articulation, and the letters that most frequently represent them in the English language is an essential part of mastering English phonetics.
• Do you want to know what other people hear when you speak in English? Record yourself and compare the output with that of a model speaker. You can even play the clip at a lower speed to focus on every individual sound so you can assess your phonetic strengths and weaknesses.

2. Sounds: The Pronunciation App

Developed by Macmillan Education, one of the leading publishers of English learning content, Sounds: Pronunciation App is one of the most comprehensive apps for English pronunciation.

Sounds is a highly interactive platform that includes British and American English sound charts, video materials, and personalised tips.

Here are just a few features that set Sounds apart from similar apps:

• With Sounds, you get to choose what you want to practice! All you have to do is select a specific sound or combination of sounds and get personalised pronunciation tasks aimed at helping you work on your weak areas.
• Do you start to tremble at the sight of a schwa /ə/? Become familiar with the sounds of the English language by using the app’s interactive phonemic chart. This chart shows all the phonemes used in English, whether they’re consonants, vowels, or dipthtongs. Explore each sound by tapping on the corresponding symbol, hear its pronunciation, and practice through sample words!
• The app features a carefully designed Wordlist that contains over 600 common words which you can listen to (both in British and American English), and for which you can read complete definitions from the Macmillan Dictionary.

3. Forvo Pronunciation

Forvo Pronunciation is a free app with a very simple premise: it lets you hear how almost any word in the English language is pronounced by real speakers who contribute to the website with the sole intention of helping other language lovers.

To use Forvo, simply type in the word you want to know how to say, and then choose from the different pronunciations provided by native speakers from all over the world.

In addition to being a great resource for English pronunciation, Forvo is also a great way to learn about other languages, as the app includes pronunciations in over 200 languages, all provided by real native speakers.

Forvo is one of the most original apps for English pronunciation for a number of reasons:

• It focuses not on single sounds, but on words and phrases, including idiomatic and regional expressions.
• It allows you to search for little-known words and listen to pronunciations from native speakers from different countries, regions and social backgrounds, which allows you to compare different accents and pronunciations for the same word or phrase. For example, you may compare how the expression “Merry Christmas” sounds as said by an English teacher from London, a worker from Dublin, and a teenager from Yorkshire.
• You can listen to male or female voices.
• You can request specific pronunciations from Forvo’s ever-growing community.

4. ELSA Speak

ELSA Speak is another app that comes up often when searching for the best app for English pronunciation. This app was designed by a team of speech pathologists and researchers to help you improve your English pronunciation skills through personalised lessons.

ESLA uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence, or AI, to help you achieve a perfect accent and improve your overall speaking abilities.

• The key to successful language learning is personalisation. With Elsa, you can get a personalised lesson plan based on your current level. As soon as you start using ELSA, it will ask you to take a test and it will create tailored pronunciation exercises based on your most salient mistakes.
• When it comes to English pronunciation, imitation is everything. Listen to ELSA, copy the way she says words and sentences and receive instant feedback on how to shift the position of your tongue and lips to achieve perfect American English sounds.
• A comprehensive approach: Get instruction in the four areas involved in pronunciation: listening, diction, word and sentence stress, and conversation.

So, there you are. With these apps, you can get started on your journey to mastering English sounds so you can improve your overall communication skills.

However, there is one thing you should bear in mind. While all of the apps above are very useful resources, there’s no app that can replace the guidance of a trained pronunciation coach. Even if it’s the best app for English pronunciation.

Why Learn Pronunciation With a Native English Teacher

• A native teacher can help you to understand the link between spelling and pronunciation.
• Besides helping you with specific sounds, they can help you to use stress and linking to sound more like a native speaker.
• They can help you understand how your own language may be interfering with the way you speak English.
• They can explain and illustrate the role of intonation in communication, and how you can use pitch to convey meaning and mood.
• A native speaker can help you with your confidence and fluency when speaking English.
• A native teacher can give you personalised feedback on your pronunciation and help you keep track of your progress.

If you want to improve your English pronunciation in the fastest, most effective, and most rewarding way possible, book a tailored online course with one of our expert pronunciation tutors now!

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Our native instructors can help you with any specific problems you may have with English sounds, as well as help you develop a native-like accent. And, why not, help you make the most of the best app for English pronunciation!

Click here to book your first lesson or send us a quick inquiry.