If you have been putting a lot of effort and time into trying to improve your English pronunciation, but still find that your accent remains strong, it is important to understand why this is happening. There are two key aspects of pronunciation that can impact your ability to adopt a native-like accent: the input mechanism and the output mechanism.

Starting with the input mechanism, it is important to have a solid understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet and the vowel sound chart. Can you clearly distinguish between the twenty vowel sounds and the twenty-four consonant sounds? This is not something that can be learned overnight, but rather requires ongoing reinforcement to develop the neural links necessary for accurate pronunciation.

In terms of the output mechanism, it is important to evaluate your physical ability to articulate sounds. If you have been studying English for a long time and still struggle with pronunciation, it is important to consider whether you are able to produce even the most basic sounds accurately. Are you positioning your articulators (lips, tongue, jaw, etc.) correctly, or are you unconsciously reverting back to the pronunciation habits of your native language?

When it comes to British English pronunciation, it is important to keep in mind that the consonant sounds are closely connected to the vowel sounds. The manner in which air is trapped can have a significant impact on the vowel sound that follows a consonant.

For example, the plosive sound /t/ in English is aspirated and is denoted by the symbol /tʰ/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The /h/ represents the aspiration of the consonant sound. This can be a difficult concept for non-native speakers to grasp, but it is a crucial aspect of English pronunciation.

Once you have a solid understanding of the basic sounds (phonemes), you can begin to combine them to form syllables, words, and sentences. With consistent practice using the correct form, you will find that pronunciation becomes easier and easier over time. Remember, practice makes perfect, but only if you use the right techniques.

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