logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2024
39m 51s

425. The Schwa: How One TINY Sound Can M...

HADAR SHEMESH
About this episode

We’re revisiting some of our most popular and favorite episodes on the podcast.

I mention the schwa almost every time I speak about American English. That’s because this vowel is all over the place, and once you hear it, you never stop hearing it 🙂

The schwa is a very short and “relaxed” kind of vowel. It’s a pretty tricky vowel for non-native speakers but if you get it, you get the secret to American English pronunciation and you become SO much clearer.

Also, you will find yourself investing much less energy in speaking, which is also important 🙂

Tune in and learn more about this special vowel and how to use it. And let me know what you think in the comments below.

Check out a new episode about the schwa here: https://hadarshemesh.com/podcast/157/

You can also watch my older video about the schwa: https://goo.gl/tvDJ6o

And you’ll also find my video on American Intonation helpful: https://hadarshemesh.com/magazine/american-intonation/

Up next
Jul 8
470. Fluent with AI? This is what Artificial Intelligence WON’T help you with.
Now with the rise of AI, everything has become FAST. We look for short videos, quick wins, and AI tools that do everything for us. And while that’s amazing in so many ways, it can also make us believe that fluency should be something that’s easy, instant, or effortless. But here’ ... Show More
16m 11s
Jul 1
469. Breaking through your limitations: Katya’s journey to total fluency
In this interview, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Katya, one of my amazing students who started learning English from scratch seven years ago. What’s even more incredible is that she did it all without ever living in an English-speaking country!! Katya takes us thro ... Show More
1h 6m
Jun 24
468. Read out loud with me! Practice vocabulary, pronunciation and connected speech | Let Them by Mel Robbins
Improve your vocabulary, pronunciation and pace while reading a book out loud with me! We’re reading the ‘Let Them’ book by Mel Robbins. Not only is it an excellent practice, it’s also a great way for us to understand how WE can adopt this theory in our lives. Download the PDF he ... Show More
28m 35s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2020
The Most Important Sound in English Pronunciation
In this episode I explain schwa (ə), the most common sound in the English language, when to use it, and how you can use it correctly to sound more like a native speaker. 
15m 35s
Jul 2024
3 Ways to Develop a Better BRITISH ACCENT With The Help Of Your Dog 🐶 - Why is it literally so tricky? - I’m super insecure about my accent 😢 - What accent should I study - Mastering the 'ish' Suffix
Want to get in touch ? Email: mail@learningbritishaccent.com Want the British Accent Training Courses? Details: https://learningbritishaccent.com/bundle/ 12 month subscription: https://learningbritishaccent.com/product/british-accent-bundle-12-month-access-2/   Support The Podcas ... Show More
14m 18s
May 13
Say PIN vs. PEN and other words like a native English speaker!
🤩 Download FREE pronunciation guide: https://espressoenglish.lpages.co/free-pdf-pronunciation-guide-american-english-sounds/ ⭐ American English Pronunciation Course: https://courses.espressoenglish.net/american-english-pronunciation-course-and-shadowing-with-shayna/?aff=09c3ed58 ... Show More
7m 7s
Dec 2024
#422 - 40 English Words You’re Probably Pronouncing Wrong (and How to Fix Them)
Listen with FREE Interactive Transcript only on the RealLife App. English pronunciation can be tricky — sometimes even the most common words trip us up! In today's episode, we’ll dive into some fascinating examples of words that are often mispronounced. We’ll share practical tips ... Show More
33m 24s
Aug 2014
“Ash” Sound (Æ) in American English: Æ Tensing
This is it! I’ve finally found out everything about the “ash” sound in American English – and if you’ve also been wondering about the following problem: Why is it that in some American English words the letter ‘A’ gets pronounced as [eə] despite the phonetic transcription describ ... Show More
14m 2s
Mar 2025
English Speaking & Listening Shadowing -- Discussing Fact vs Fiction
American English shadowing exercises are for people interested in expanding their American English accents, whether you are located in the US, North America, or other areas around the world. For the best use of shadowing exercises in American English, listen to a section of audio ... Show More
8m 42s
Oct 2024
763 - How To Improve Pronunciation
These days, it seems like a lot of people all over the world speak English, doesn't it? And that means that there are ton of different English accents out there. Which is totally fine, you know? But if you are concerned about your English pronunciation, then stick around till the ... Show More
9m 33s
Jun 23
Practice Pronouncing OUGH 5 Different Ways in English
🤩 Download FREE sounds guide: https://espressoenglish.lpages.co/free-pdf-pronunciation-guide-american-english-sounds/ ❤️ American English Pronunciation Course: https://courses.espressoenglish.net/american-english-pronunciation-course-and-shadowing-with-shayna/?aff=09c3ed58 Tough ... Show More
4m 53s
May 12
The END Of Words Is Giving You An Accent
More practice with contrast: https://youtu.be/eIsleNYqLhA If you want to sound more natural in American English, the truth is that you may be making consonant sounds too strong, exaggerating final syllables, blocking off breath and cutting off vowels, especially at the ends of wo ... Show More
4m 2s
Dec 2024
Top 10 Pronunciation Problems for English Learners
✔️ FREE Pronunciation Power Mini-Course: https://espressoenglish.lpages.co/free-pronunciation-challenge/ ⭐ American English Pronunciation Course: https://courses.espressoenglish.net/american-english-pronunciation-course-and-shadowing-with-shayna/ These are the top 10 pronunciatio ... Show More
6m 37s