Understanding Natural English Speed
CEFR Level A2Lesson Goals
In this lesson, you will practice recognizing how English speakers connect words and use short forms (reductions) to speak at a natural pace.
Why Does English Sound So Fast?
When people speak English naturally, they don't say every word perfectly and separately. Instead, they use two tricks to make their speech smooth and fast: linking and reductions.
This is normal in all languages, including Khmer. Think about how you don't always speak in perfect, slow sentences. This lesson will help you hear these natural changes in English.
Common Reductions (Short Forms)
Let's look at some examples. Listen to the audio to hear how the written words change when spoken naturally.
Written: "I am going to go to the market."
Spoken: "I'm gonna go to the market."
Written: "He has a lot of friends."
Spoken: "He has a lotta friends."
Written: "What are you doing?"
Spoken: "Whatcha doin'?"
Written: "Do you want a cup of coffee?"
Spoken: "Do you wanna cup of coffee?"
Key Tip: Listen for the "Music"
Natural speech is not just about speed; it's also about rhythm and stress (the "music" of the language). In a sentence, some words are more important and are said more clearly and strongly. Other, less important words are said quickly and are often reduced.
For example, in "I'm gonna go to the market," the words "go" and "market" are stressed. "I'm gonna" is said very quickly.
When you listen, try to catch the main, stressed words. This can help you understand the meaning even if you miss the small, fast words.
Activity: Match the Sound to the Sentence
Listen to the short audio clips. Choose the correct full written sentence that matches the natural speech you hear.
-
Listen to Audio 1. Which sentence did you hear?
-
Listen to Audio 2. Which sentence did you hear?
-
Listen to Audio 3. Which sentence did you hear?
Show Answers
Answers: 1-b, 2-a, 3-b
Vocabulary
-
Natural Pace (noun phrase) [ល្បឿនធម្មជាតិ]
The normal speed people use when they speak in a relaxed, everyday conversation.
-
Linking (noun) [ការតភ្ជាប់]
When the last sound of one word connects smoothly to the first sound of the next word.
-
Reduction (noun) [ការកាត់បន្ថយ]
When a word is spoken very quickly, making its sound shorter and weaker (e.g., "to" becomes "ta").
Your Mission
It's time to train your ears with real English! Try these two tasks.
- Echo Practice: Find a short clip from an English movie or TV show on YouTube. Listen to one short sentence, then pause. Try to repeat (echo) the sentence exactly as you heard it. Copy the speed, reductions, and the "music" of the sentence. Do this for five different sentences.
- Song Search: Listen to a popular English song. Can you hear any examples of "wanna" (want to), "gonna" (going to), or "hafta" (have to)? These are very common in music lyrics.