correct pronunciation....

by Khatereh Payvar
(Kerman,Iran)

Hi there! I am an English teacher in Iran and most of my students have problems with (th) words, because there are no words similar to this in the Persian language. They usually pronounce it as(z).

Problems with the TH sound is common with many ESL students, including Spaniards. What I usually do is focus in on the specific sound (apart from the word) until the student can say the sound. Then try the word...slowly getting the student to recognize the difference. In your case you could use words that have the z sound compared to the th sound to show them the difference.

I wanted to ask you also, if you don't mind, could you possibly tell me where the correct stress on BEFORE and USUALLY is?THANKS A MILLION by the way HOUSES as well.

When looking at those three words you would stress as follows: BEFORE: The stress is on the FORE (and it has two beats be-fore. USUALLY: The stress is on the first U, and it has three beats u-sua-lly. HOUSES: The stress is on HOW and it has two beats. Hou-ses. I hope that helps Khatereh. :)