Mobile Apps for Pronunciation

Published: 02 Jul 2020 Tagged: AppCommunicationconversationELSA SpeakEnglish PronunciationESLFluentUlanguageLearn English DailylisteningMobilePronunciationPronunroidSay ItSoundsspeaking

A constant fear among many ESL (English as Second Language) people, the mistakes in pronunciation of English words are a crucial element to allow a fluid and confident conversation with native speakers of English language. Language schools can provide many solutions, as well as Speech and Language Pathology centres for more delicate challenges. No matter the need, a way of reinforcing lessons and practice can be acquired through technology. There are mobile apps for the most different needs and interests, including English pronunciation. We have listed seven of the most indicated mobile apps for pronunciation below.

• ELSA Speak: Based on American English, this app has a speech recognition technology which indicates whether you pronounced common English words and phrases correctly. It provides tips and feedback regarding the right way of moving lips and tongue to reach the expected sounds. Available for Android and iOS.
• English Pronunciation: This app starts by providing a set of guidelines with pictures regarding how to move tongue, lips and jaw to pronounce the expected sound, and then tests the user’s ability to replicate them. It includes a separate area com videos explaining phonetics in a clear way for the user. Available for Android.
• FluentU: Probably the most fun and engaging app in this list, FluentU explores many videos with very clear and current speaking, showing daily situations, celebrities in interviews, TV commercials and other interesting occasions to listen to and reproduce the words and phrases. Whenever the user is unsure of a heard word or phrase, a simple tap on the screen reveals what was spoken and provides an image of it (when available), definition and useful examples. Available for Android and iOS.
• Learn English Daily: This app is equally focused on listening and speaking from native speakers’ conversations, providing instructions of how to pronounce some word or phrase present in the conversation. Available for Android.
• Pronunroid: Through a sequence of fun guessing games, the user can practice and understand how a word should be pronounced, exploring the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The search feature allows the user to check how to pronounce specific words or phrases. Available for Android.
• Say It: Through an extremely innovative visual representation of the practiced word or phrase, the user is able to visualise the picture of the soundwave generate by the user when saying the word, allowing the user to compare it to the soundwave of how the word or phrase should be spoken. Available for Android and iOS.
• Sounds: This app has pronunciation charts for both American and British English with simple calibrations, helping people who wants or needs to speak in any of these variations. Most of the apps above already approach American and British English, but this app is easier to shift from one variation to the other. The premium version has a wide variety of extra features such as pronunciation quizzes, special word lists, videos and tips towards fluent speaking. Available for Android and iOS.

These mobile apps are able to provide an impressive help on pronunciation, but the support from specialists might be necessary, depending on the challenges faced by each individual. In case you feel you or someone in your family has pronunciation difficulties, please don’t hesitate on contacting Speakable for a technical diagnosis of the experienced difficulties.