[vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_single_image image=»2925″ img_size=»medium» alignment=»center» style=»vc_box_shadow» onclick=»img_link_large»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»The Schwa» font_container=»tag:h2|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal»][vc_column_text]This week we thought we’d mix it up and teach you a little but about the most common sound in the English language, The Schwa.
Have you ever spoken to a native speaker and had no idea what they were saying?
As Teachify teachers, one of our main objectives is helping our students to sound as native as possible.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=».vc_custom_1539534914863{background-color: #528cbf !important;}»]
One of the most difficult sounds in the English language.
-Micael Soto
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»It is the laziest sound in English!
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539535675082{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][vc_column_text]We feel that if you are able to dominate what is a very complex sound, you’ll not only make yourself better understood, but you’ll also understand native speakers with ease.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»¿Por que es tan complicado? » font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539535771938{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]It’s difficult to explain exactly how to produce this sound & where it can occur.
As many of you have already realised, in English there are many rules regarding grammar, pronunciation & sentence structure, but there are also a lot of exceptions.
This week we are going to outline some of the basic rules to give you an insight into the world of “Mr Schwa”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=»Any written vowel can be transformed into a Schwa.
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539536535130{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»Rule #1
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539536492123{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]
A – E – I – O – U
E.g. PrOtect – Prǝtect (Pra-tect)
E.g. TheatRE – Theatǝ (Zi-a-ta)
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»Rule #2
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539536545987{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]
- It occurs on an unstressed syllable as shown above. Protect has two syllables.
The second syllable is stressed, meaning it can NOT be the Schwa.
[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=»Do these words have 2, or 3 syllables?
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539536609591{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»Rule #3
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539536554797{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]
E.g. Separate – chocolate – different
E.g. Sep-rate – choc-late – diff-rent
- They all contain 3 syllables. When we use the above words in spoken English, we transform the middle syllable into the Schwa
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»A bit confusing, right? Don’t worry!
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539536646004{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][vc_column_text]
In the video below you can see some examples of how to use the Schwa which will help you on your way to sounding more like a native speaker.
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»Perfect your listening!» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1538482412174{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_video link=»https://youtu.be/KBE3SmMG6mY» align=»center»][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]
On the other hand, if you want some more videos like this one, leave a comment and we would be more than happy to create you a personalised video. ENJOY!
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»What can I do perfect this sound at home?
» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539537020252{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]
Learning English can be difficult, but with the correct tools and determination, there’s no reason why you can’t learn this at home.
We recommend using The Sound of English and carrying out the various FREE pronunciation activities available. We have seen some fantastic results from our students.
Another way is to simply be aware of this sound when in class.
Sometimes it’s easy to “speak lazy” and not put any effort in to pronounce correctly.
When you’re in class with your Teachify teacher, make a point of trying to pronounce the words correctly, even trying to imitate your native teacher.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=»We hope you have enjoyed our weekly blog!» font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1539537180724{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_custom_heading text=»Cheeky little joke for you English lovers! » font_container=»tag:h1|font_size:30|text_align:center» google_fonts=»font_family:Marvel%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal» css=».vc_custom_1536941665786{padding-bottom: 10px !important;}»][/vc_column][vc_column width=»1/2″][vc_column_text]
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Why should you never date an apostrophe?
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=»bounceIn»]
Because they’re too possessive LOL!
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Click here and join our community of English lovers
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