Regularly training your ears is the key to mastering foreign language pronunciation. When learning a new language, you’ll encounter sounds that don’t exist in your native tongue.
For example, Vietnamese is a tonal language, while English is not. Vietnamese has consonant clusters like ‘nh’, ‘ng’, and ‘ph’ that often frustrate English learners. Vietnamese also has complex vowel combinations like ‘uôi’, ‘ươi’, ‘iêu’, and ‘ươu’.
Therefore, before mastering these sounds, learners must train their ears to distinguish them. Consistent ear training will help learners improve their pronunciation and listening comprehension.
In my teaching experience, I always emphasize ear training exercises. Ear training is also a method used by speech therapists to treat stuttering in native children. It might seem time-consuming and cumbersome at first, as the results may not be immediate. However, in the long run, ear training is an excellent method for those learning Vietnamese as a second language.
Let’s embark on a journey of Vietnamese language proficiency together in Vân Đỗ’s class.