'th' /θ/ & /ð/ vs. /s/ & /z/ - American English Pronunciation Lesson

[tranle23]

I learned English when I was 5 so I don't know how I managed it but I can say everything correctly.

[TeacherMelanie]

@tranle23 Consider yourself very lucky! You obviously worked hard. Some people spend most of their lives trying to get these sounds right! = )

[Sujini106159]

I'm Vietnamese but luckily and I can make those "th" sounds correctly, but I have no idea how I can do it lol

[TeacherMelanie]

@Sujini106159 You are so lucky!!! Some English learners struggle with this sound for years. Keep up the great work! = )

[08AbsoluteZero]

I was born in America, but my mother is from Brasil, so I pronounce "th" as "d" or "f"... that was not a happy childhood for me, but I am starting to say it correctly more often :D

[TeacherMelanie]

@08AbsoluteZero Have you seen my other video about 'th' vs. t & d? That might be helpful to you. I find that a lot of my students have trouble with this sound! It takes a lot of practice, but eventually you'll be able to make this sound without even having to think about it! = )

[cloudtzu]

thank you so much God Bless you :)

[TeacherMelanie]

@cloudtzu Thank you! I know that the 'th' sounds can be difficult for English learners, so I hope this video helped you = )

[cloudtzu]

@TeacherMelanie I really love it!! Now I can pronounce "th" do you have any P,F,V and B? thank you so much for this wonderful video learning guide..  more power and blessings !!

[teachervtee]

Great videos! I think my students would benefit from these videos. Would it be okay for me to embed these on my site as practice links?

[TeacherMelanie]

@teachervtee Of course! Thanks for asking. I hope your students enjoy them! = )

[x3iDREAM]

Hey, if a sentence with words that have 'th' must we always stick out our tongue? for example

"That's the way you do things."

[TeacherMelanie]

@x3iDREAM Yes you do! Although, once you get more practice with the 'th' sounds, and when you're speaking quickly, your tongue doesn't stick out so far. It should feel natural when the tip of your tongue is between your teeth. It's really quick.

[x3iDREAM]

@TeacherMelanie Okay. I'll practice more on the 'th'. Will reading help improve? Thanks by the way. (:

[TeacherMelanie]

@x3iDREAM Reading out loud will help, as will practicing in front of a mirror (so you can make sure you are pronouncing the sound properly!)

[Fantasylover7]

I have problems when a an "r" comes after the "th" as in through or the number 3333 is so hard to pronounce for me.... Is there a way how I can practice this other than saying it again and again? ^^

[TeacherMelanie]

@Fantasylover7 Hi! This is a common problem. Both sounds are difficult for English learners. Rachel (from Rachel's English) has a good video about the 'th' sounds where she also talks about THR: youtube (dot) com /watch?v=VUAYmTnWaCY I hope this helps!

[Fantasylover7]

@TeacherMelanie Thx! Yours and Rachel's video was a real help for me! Thx soo much! =) I have an oral pronunciation exam next week and I practice every day with the help of your vids! =)

[JanaSklibova]

I study English and I still have problems with this two, especially ð. I really can't hear the difference when I pronouce that even I touch my teeth with my tongue.

[TeacherMelanie]

@JanaSklibova Hi, Jana! Do you have problems hearing the difference between θ and ð, or between θ & s, ð & z? The only difference between θ and ð is that θ is just air coming out of your mouth. For ð, your vocal chords produce a sound. You can feel the vibration if your put your hand on your neck. When you make the θ sound, you shouldn't feel anything. Does that help?

[JanaSklibova]

@TeacherMelanie I mean, for example when I record myself, I don't recognize the difference between θ & s and ð & d much.

[TeacherMelanie]

@JanaSklibova Hmmm...take a look at RachelsEnglish videos. She goes into great depth explaining the mouth position for each sound in American English. You might find it useful to watch the video on the 'th' sounds and s/z!

[Luiseut59]

@JanaSklibova That used to happen to me a lot. I didn't even recognize the difference between s and z. But you really have to listen to it carefully and in a certain period of time, you are gonna start hearing the sound.

Well, I'm a Spanish native speaker and that helped. I used to have issues with b and v as well, I have improved the recognition of those two sounds... but it takes time to differentiate them as native speakers do.

[magdaguolo]

Good.  I will see this video many, many times.

[TeacherMelanie]

@magdaguolo I'm happy this video was useful to you : ) Good luck!