Clear pronunciation
Clear pronunciation for TOEFL: intelligibility, word endings, stress, and accurate repetition in Listen and Repeat.
In this lesson you will
- Prioritise intelligibility
- Pronounce word endings and stress clearly
- Repeat sentences accurately
Learn
Intelligibility — being easy to understand — matters more than accent.
Word endings: pronounce -s and -ed endings (works, needed, finished) and final consonants (desk, test). Dropping them can change meaning or grammar.
Stress: stress the right syllable (reSEARCH / REsearch both exist; deVELop, uniVERsity) and content words in sentences.
Listen and Repeat: hold the sentence as chunks in memory; copy rhythm and stress; don’t add or drop words. Practise with short audio and shadowing.
| -ed sound | Examples |
|---|---|
| /t/ | worked, finished, helped |
| /d/ | played, called, studied |
| /ɪd/ | needed, wanted, started |
Examples
- She works in the lab (not “she work”).
- We started the project yesterday — /ɪd/.
- Repeat as chunks: The seminar / has been moved / to Room 12.
Vocabulary
intelligibility
how easily you are understood
syllable
a unit of sound in a word
ending
the last sound(s) of a word
rhythm
the pattern of stressed and unstressed sounds
shadowing
repeating audio at the same time
Practice
“needed” ends with…
Speaking
Repeat after reading once, then from memory: “The library will close early on Friday.” “Students who registered late should see the adviser.” “Lab reports are due at the end of next week.”
Lesson quiz
A native accent is required for a high score.
Review
Key points
- Intelligibility first.
- Clear endings.
- Correct stress.
- Chunk and copy rhythm.
What you learned
- ✓ I pronounce endings clearly.
- ✓ I use correct stress.
- ✓ I repeat accurately.
Grammar reference: Past simple