Want to know which English sounds give you the most trouble? This self-assessment guide will help you identify your pronunciation challenges so you can focus your practice where it matters most.
How to Use This Test
For each section below:
- Read the words aloud - Record yourself if possible
- Compare your pronunciation to the IPA transcription
- Listen carefully to whether you're making the correct sounds
- Mark each category as Easy, Medium, or Difficult
- Review your results at the end
Be honest with yourself - this test is to help you improve!
Test 1: Vowel Sounds
Short Vowels
Test these minimal pairs - can you hear AND produce the difference?
Self-Assessment for Short Vowels:
- Can you clearly distinguish /ɪ/ (bit) from /iː/ (beat)?
- Can you produce /æ/ (bad) without making it sound like /ɛ/ (bed)?
- Can you hear the difference between /ʊ/ (full) and /uː/ (fool)?
Long Vowels & Diphthongs
Check: When you say "boat," do you glide from /o/ to /ʊ/? Or does it sound flat?
Test 2: Consonants That Don't Exist in Spanish
The TH Sounds /θ/ and /ð/
Common Problems:
- Saying /s/ or /t/ instead of /θ/ (voiceless TH)
- Saying /d/ instead of /ð/ (voiced TH)
Test yourself: Say "think" - is your tongue touching your teeth?
The V Sound /v/
Check: Are your top teeth touching your lower lip for V?
The Z Sound /z/
Check: Is your throat vibrating when you say Z? Put your hand on your throat!
The W Sound /w/
Check: Are your lips rounded like you're about to whistle?
The H Sound /h/
Check: Can people hear your H at the beginning of words?
Test 3: Consonant Clusters
English has many consonant combinations that Spanish doesn't have at the start of words.
Initial Clusters
Common Problem: Adding "e" before the cluster (saying "e-street" instead of "street")
Check: Can you say these without adding a vowel before them?
Final Clusters
Check: Are you pronouncing ALL the consonants at the end?
Test 4: The -ED Ending
One of the most common pronunciation errors! There are THREE pronunciations:
-ED as /t/
After voiceless sounds: /p/, /k/, /f/, /s/, /ʃ/, /tʃ/
-ED as /d/
After voiced sounds: vowels and voiced consonants
-ED as /ɪd/
After /t/ or /d/ sounds
Check: Say "walked" - does it have one syllable or two? (It should be ONE!)
Test 5: Word Stress
English word stress is crucial and can change meaning.
Two-Syllable Words
Common Stress Patterns
Check: Do you emphasize the right syllable? Record yourself and compare!
Test 6: Connected Speech
In natural English, words flow together.
Common Reductions
Check: Can you understand AND produce these natural reductions?
Your Score Card
Rate each area from 1-5 (1 = Very Difficult, 5 = Easy):
| Category | Your Score |
|---|---|
| Short vowels (ɪ, ɛ, æ, ʊ, ʌ) | ___ |
| Long vowels & diphthongs | ___ |
| TH sounds (θ, ð) | ___ |
| V sound | ___ |
| Z sound | ___ |
| W sound | ___ |
| H sound | ___ |
| Consonant clusters (str-, spr-) | ___ |
| Final clusters (-sks, -sts) | ___ |
| -ED endings | ___ |
| Word stress | ___ |
| Connected speech | ___ |
Interpreting Your Results
Score 1-2: Priority Area
These are your biggest challenges. Focus here first! Practice daily with:
- Minimal pairs exercises
- Recording and comparing yourself
- Slow, careful repetition
Score 3: Needs Work
You're making progress but not consistent. Work on these weekly with:
- Targeted practice sentences
- Tongue twisters
- Listening exercises
Score 4-5: Strengths
Good job! Maintain these with:
- Regular speaking practice
- Occasional review
- Using these sounds in natural conversation
Personalized Practice Recommendations
If TH Sounds Are Difficult:
Practice these daily:
- "Think of three things"
- "This, that, and the other"
- "The weather is threatening"
If Vowels Are Confusing:
Focus on minimal pairs:
- bit/beat, bed/bad, full/fool
- Record yourself and compare
If Word Stress Is Off:
- Mark stress in new vocabulary
- Listen to English podcasts
- Practice with a metronome
If -ED Endings Are Inconsistent:
- Learn the three pronunciation rules
- Group words by their endings
- Practice verb lists aloud
Take Action
Now that you know your weak areas:
- Pick your top 2 challenges from the list
- Practice 10-15 minutes daily on those specific sounds
- Record yourself at least once a week
- Take this test again in one month
Remember: Improvement takes time and consistent practice. Don't try to fix everything at once - focus on your biggest challenges first!
Sources
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Phonetics References
- Ladefoged, P., & Johnson, K. (2014). A Course in Phonetics. Cengage Learning.
- Roach, P. (2009). English Phonetics and Phonology: A Practical Course. Cambridge University Press.
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Assessment Methods
- Celce-Murcia, M., Brinton, D., & Goodwin, J. (2010). Teaching Pronunciation: A Course Book and Reference Guide. Cambridge University Press.