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The American Sound LabListen. Repeat. Make it yours.

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Curriculum

Pick a topic. Take your time. Come back to the sounds you want to make your own.

-ED endings

7 lessons

  1. -ED explanation

    We use 3 pronunciations for -ED endings—-T, -D, and -ID—depending on the last sound of the verb.

    2:56

  2. -ED endings / sound -T

    Repeat after me: walked, danced, stopped—the -E is silent, and the ending sounds like -T.

    7:02

  3. -ED endings / sound -D

    Keep the -E silent as we practice -D endings in words like cleaned, loved, and shared.

    6:04

  4. -ED endings / sound -id

    After a -T or -D sound, we hear -ID—practice it in words like wanted and needed.

    6:02

  5. -ED phrases

    Keep your -ED endings clear as we put the words together in short phrases.

    4:12

  6. -ED sentences

    Now put your -ED endings to work in full sentences, keeping the final sounds clear.

    2:32

  7. -ED exceptions

    Learn the common words and names that break the rule of the silent -E before the final -D.

    1:36

-S endings

6 lessons

  1. -S endings explanation

    Remember the final -S, especially when we add it to make plurals or change a verb.

    3:44

  2. Unvoiced -S endings

    The unvoiced -S only follows 5 consonant sounds: -P, -T, -F, -K, and unvoiced -TH.

    6:34

  3. Voiced -Z endings

    Feel the vibration as we practice voiced -Z endings in words like dogs, calls, and dreams.

    6:48

  4. -S endings (phrases)

    Keep those final -S and -Z sounds clear as we connect the words in short phrases.

    2:26

  5. -S endings (sentences)

    Put your -S and -Z endings to work in full sentences—don’t lose them along the way.

    1:26

  6. Silent final -S

    There are VERY FEW silent final -S exceptions—learn these words and names, and pronounce the -S everywhere else.

    1:50

Pretty little Italy -T(flap -T)

5 lessons

  1. Pretty, little Italy = Flap -T explanation

    In words like pretty, little, and Italy, the -T sounds like a quick -D, with the stress BEFORE it.

    3:26

  2. Flap -T single words

    Repeat after me and let the -T sound like a quick -D in words like pretty, little, and Italy.

    4:40

  3. Flap -T between 2 words

    Connect a final -T to the next word’s vowel sound—“got it” and “not at all” are good examples.

    4:08

  4. Flap -T sentences

    Put the flap -T to work in full sentences, both inside words and between them.

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  5. Other -T sounds

    For now, get to know the other -T sounds and combinations—we’ll go down the rabbit hole later.

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American -R

5 lessons

  1. -R explanation

    Prepare AND extend that heavy, almost growling -R, with your tongue pulled back and the tip NOT touching anything.

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  2. -R words

    Practice that strong American -R at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of words.

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  3. -R phrases

    Keep your -R strong from start to finish as you work through these short phrases.

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  4. -R sentences

    Put your American -R to work in full sentences, preparing and finishing each sound.

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  5. Silent -R

    Silent -R is extremely rare, so learn these few exceptions.

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Voiced and Unvoiced -TH

2 lessons

  1. Unvoiced -TH

    Use “thank you” to guide your unvoiced -TH—only air, with NO vibration in the throat.

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  2. Voiced -TH

    Start with “over there” and feel the rumble of your voice as you practice voiced -TH.

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Prosody (advanced)

1 lesson

  1. Prosody Overview

    Bring everything together with prosody—the rhythm, pitch, and flow that make your speech sound alive.

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