British Vowel Sound Masterclass: Lesson 10: Why do we say ‘work’ with errrr? cover art

British Vowel Sound Masterclass: Lesson 10: Why do we say ‘work’ with errrr?

British Vowel Sound Masterclass: Lesson 10: Why do we say ‘work’ with errrr?

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Why does work sound like werrrk when it’s spelled with an o? In this episode, we unpack one of the most confusing features of British pronunciation: the /ɜː/ sound. With clear explanations, grouped practice words, minimal pairs, and tongue twisters, this lesson will help you stop trusting the spelling and start trusting the R.

Practice Transcript:

Spelled with 'e': her, term, serve, early, person, learn

With 'o': work, word, world, worth, worse, worm, worst, worthwhile, attorney

With 'i': bird, first, girl, shirt

With 'u': nurse, turn, burn, church

Practice 2:

her, bird, nurse, work

term, girl, turn, word

serve, first, burn, world

early, shirt, church, worth

person, bird, nurse, worse

learn, girl, turn, worm

person, girl, nurse, word

Minimal pairs:

Word - ward, work - walk, world - wall, worse - wars, worth - north, worm - warn

Tongue Twisters:

I like to walk to work in warm weather.

The worm on the war ship worships workplaces

The early bird turns and learns to work.

Were the worst words worth the work?

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https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/9446274

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