Pronunciation Tip: Move Your Mouth More
Why do I need to move my mouth?
I’m going to give you an English pronunciation tip might feel ridiculous, but totally works. Several years ago, I noticed that many of my students barely moved their mouths when they spoke English. They would be making sounds, but their lips and teeth would barely move. I understand why they do it. In some cultures and some languages, mouth movement is not as important as it is in English. However, not moving your mouth can stop you from forming vowels and consonant sounds the way you need to.
What do I need to do?
You need to open your mouth more when you speak. Move your lips in a more dramatic fashion. Make sure your tongue is moving enough to produce sounds. Don’t be shy! (And scroll to the bottom to watch me demonstrate in the video below.)
Won’t I look ridiculous?
The short answer is no. You won’t look ridiculous. You might feel silly at first, because you’re not used to it, but I assure you that no native English speaker will notice, especially if you’re speaking to an American. Why do I say that? Well, you may have noticed that many Americans are spirited and a little loud when they speak. I once heard someone say, “If you ever want to spot the American tourists in Europe, just listen. You’ll be sure to hear them before you see them.” It’s true that we’re a little louder than some other cultures. Part of that spirit includes lots of mouth movement. Americans aren’t afraid to make facial expressions and move their mouths to make sounds. You shouldn’t be afraid of it either.
