Listening: Understanding Different Accents (Introduction) B1 - Lesson 2: Developing Awareness of Common International English Pronunciations

Understanding International English Accents

CEFR Level B1

Lesson Goals

In this lesson, you will develop your awareness of International English and learn strategies to understand speakers from many different countries, even with strong accents.

Welcome to Global English!

English is a global language spoken by billions of people. This means there is no single "correct" accent. Today, we will explore common ways that pronunciation can differ and learn how to be better listeners.

1. The 'TH' Sound (/θ/ and /ð/)

The 'th' sound is difficult for many non-native speakers. It is often replaced with sounds from their first language, like /s/, /z/, /t/, or /d/. Listen to the two examples in the audio.

Standard Pronunciation:

"I think this is the right number."

Simulated International Pronunciation:

"I sink zis is ze right number."

2. Vowel Length (e.g., ship vs. sheep)

Another common difference is the length of vowel sounds. For example, a speaker might use a long "ee" sound for the word "ship," making it sound like "sheep." In this situation, you must use context clues to find the real meaning.

For example, if you hear someone say, "Look at that big sheep on the ocean," your brain should immediately know they mean "ship," because sheep don't live on the ocean! Context is your most important tool.

3. The 'R' Sound

The 'r' sound is pronounced very differently around the world. An American 'r' is strong. A British 'r' is often silent at the end of words. Some European speakers might 'roll' their 'r'. The goal isn't to master every accent, but to expect these differences so you aren't surprised.

Key Tip: Focus on the Message, Not the Mistake

This is the most important rule for understanding International English. When you listen to someone with a strong accent, do not focus on the sounds that are "wrong." Instead, focus on the words you do understand and use the situation to guess the meaning.

Good communication is more important than perfect pronunciation. If you understand the main idea, the conversation is a success!

Practice: Understand from Context

Listen to the sentences in the audio player. Even if the pronunciation is different, use the context to choose the correct meaning.

1. Listen to Audio 1: "I would like tree tickets, please."

   How many tickets does the person want?

   • (a) A tree (the plant)
   • (b) Three (the number 3)

2. Listen to Audio 2: "My brozzer is a doctor."

   Who is a doctor?

   • (a) My brother
   • (b) My browser

Show Answers

Answers: 1-b (The word "tickets" tells you it must be the number three). 2-a (The sentence is about family, so the word must be brother.)

Vocabulary

• International English (noun) [ភាសាអង់គ្លេសអន្តរជាតិ]

  English used as a global language between people from different countries.

• Context Clue (noun phrase) [តម្រុយបរិបទ]

  A hint in a sentence or situation that helps you understand meaning.

Your Mission

Time to practice your new listening skills in the real world.

1. Accent Hunt Online: Search YouTube for videos of people with different accents speaking English (e.g., "French accent English," "Japanese accent English"). Listen for 1-2 minutes. What sounds are different from what you have learned?
2. Be a Patient Listener: The next time you speak with a tourist with a strong accent here in Siem Reap, practice patience. Don't worry about small pronunciation "mistakes." Listen for the keywords and use context to understand their message. Remember, the goal is successful communication!