Advanced English Pronunciation Training: V vs W

0:00 Today we're training a subtle yet powerful English pronunciation contrast.

0:07 The difference between /v/ and /w/.

0:11 If your goal is clarity when speaking English,

0:16 then subtle sound accuracy has value.

0:19 So today our focus is on ear training because you

0:25 cannot consistently produce a contrast if you can't reliably hear it.

0:31 So let's begin.

0:33 First the V sound is /v/.

0:37 It's a voiced fricative.

0:40 Your top teeth gently touch your bottom lip.

0:44 /v/.

0:45 Your voice is on which means you're creating sound in the larynx that you

0:53 will feel as vibration if you place your hand gently on your throat.

1:01 /v/.

1:02 Make the sound with me.

1:05 /v/.

1:05 You should feel the tickle on your lip as well.

1:10 Now try making the sound and then moving the sound into a word like: value.

1:18 Do it with me: value.

1:25 Now this word: version.

1:30 Again: Version.

1:32 Vote.

1:36 Vote.

1:36 Wonderful.

1:37 The other sound, the W sound is /w/.

1:43 Your lips are round.

1:46 They do not touch your teeth.

1:51 Woo.

1:52 Sound it with me.

1:56 /w/.

1:57 Now try moving this sound into a word: world.

2:06 West.

2:09 Work.

2:16 Work.

2:17 The great thing about working on this contrast between /v/

2:23 and /w/ is that the difference is so clear physically,

2:27 which is why I recommend that you practice in front

2:31 of a mirror so you can see what's happening.

2:35 But when you're going about your daily business,

2:38 you have to rely on hearing the difference.

2:41 So let's work on your ears now.

2:44 So I'm going to repeat a word for you.

2:47 One version will be correct and one version will be a mispronunciation.

2:52 Your task is to identify which of the pair is the accurate one.

2:59 I'll repeat it three times.

3:01 ...(Take the listening test).

3:07 Which one is correct number one or number two number one

3:19 value with a /v/ my teeth touching my bottom lip /v/.

3:26 I'll give it you with the visuals now.

3:31 Value, walue.

3:32 So you could see the difference too.

3:37 Now listen to that word in context do I pronounce it correctly this time:

3:44 "We need to increase the _____ of this proposal.

3:49 We need to increase the _____ of this proposal.

3:54 Did you hear a mispronunciation?

3:57 You did yes.

3:59 I mispronounced the word value.

4:02 I said we need to increase the walue of this proposal.

4:07 The correct version is we need to increase the value of this proposal.

4:14 Here's another pair.

4:17 Listen carefully for the correct version.

4:22 (Take the listening test).

4:26 Which one's correct?

4:29 Number one.

4:31 Again, evaluate with a /v/.

4:36 Listen carefully to see if I mispronounce it in context.

4:44 "Before we decide, we need to ________ the risks.

4:48 Before we decide, we need to ________ the risks.

4:54 Was that correct?

4:56 It wasn't correct.

4:58 I did mispronounce evaluate as ewaluate.

5:02 The correct version is we need to evaluate the risks.

5:10 So here are two different words.

5:13 Now listen carefully to see if you can figure out what words they are.

5:22 (Take the listening test).

5:27 Okay.

5:28 Which one of those refers to direction?

5:37 Number one, west with a /w/ rounded lips.

5:42 Now in context, do I make a pronunciation error?

5:47 "Our strategy focuses on the __________ market.

5:51 Our strategy focuses on the __________ market.

5:57 Did you hear an error?

6:00 No, not this time.

6:02 I pronounced western with a perfect /w/.

6:06 Our strategy focuses on the western market.

6:10 Let's increase the difficulty.

6:13 I will say one word only.

6:18 You decide which one you heard.

6:22 (Listen) Did you hear this or this?

6:28 That's right.

6:29 You heard vine as in the grape vine.

6:36 This word is wine.

6:39 Wine.

6:40 Listen carefully to see if you can spot any errors.

6:45 We need to review the latest version.

6:48 Was that correct?

6:50 No, it was incorrect.

6:52 I said we need to review the latest version.

6:57 I should have said we need to review the latest version.

7:03 Version with a V.

7:06 Okay, now this one.

7:08 Is it correct?

7:10 Our company operates worldwide.

7:13 Was that correct?

7:16 Yes, that was correct.

7:18 I said worldwide with two nicely produced /w/ sounds.

7:23 Now a slightly longer sentence.

7:26 Listen carefully and count all the errors.

7:30 "As we evolve as an organisation,

7:33 we must constantly evaluate our value and refine each

7:39 new version of our strategy." How many did you hear?

7:45 There were three.

7:47 Evaluate should have been evaluate.

7:50 Value should have been value.

7:54 And version should have been version.

7:58 Now let me say it correctly.

8:02 As we evolve as an organisation, we must constantly evaluate our value

8:08 and refine each new version of our strategy.

8:12 Okay, let's do some repetition.

8:15 Please repeat these words out loud after me.

8:24 Value, world, version, work, vote, west, evaluate, worldwide, vast wine.

8:39 again.

8:42 Value world version work vote west evaluate worldwide vast wine.

9:03 Did you feel the difference between teeth

9:07 and lips for /v/ and rounded lips for /w/?

9:12 Now, final listening challenge.

9:15 Write down what you hear.

9:19 (Listen and write what you hear).

9:30 And you can check your answers here.

9:33 How did you do?

9:35 If you hesitated on any of them, then don't worry.

9:39 It's useful to know.

9:41 It highlights weaknesses that you can then work on.

9:44 There's no need to feel embarrassed or frustrated or annoyed.

9:48 Learning where your weaknesses lie is empowering.

9:51 To further support you with your ear training,

9:54 I've made an audio for you to download

9:58 for offline distraction-free ear training on these particular sounds.

10:03 The link for your download is in the description.

10:07 But before you go, here's your homework.

10:10 Record yourself a video of yourself saying,

10:14 "We evaluated the value of the Western Division's

10:19 latest version." Then listen back with your eyes closed.

10:24 Are your /v/ and/w/ clearly distinct or do they blur together?

10:30 Then listen again and this time look at your lips.

10:34 Do they move to the right positions for the /v/ and the sounds?

10:41 Clear pronunciation reduces friction,

10:43 allowing your listener to really focus on what matters,

10:47 your ideas, and what you're trying to communicate.

10:50 If this lesson was helpful to you,

10:52 then make sure that you grab your audio download for further practice.

10:56 And be sure to come back for more learning.

11:00 Until next time, take care and goodbye.