How To Use YouGlish (Better Your Pronunciation)

Improve your listening as well as your pronunciation skills

YouGlish - learn with video clips

In this post, I’ll share one idea how you can use YouGlish to improve your pronunciation and listening skills. Especially, if you want to train specific sounds that you are struggeling with. Remember: those both skills go hand in hand — if you can’t hear a sound, you’ll not be able to produce it.

YouGlish (website and app) let’s you look up YouTube clips of fluent speakers, who are speaking the words or phrases that you type in in the search bar.

Let me show you how I use it.

The “th” sound: My worst enemy

The “th" sound has always been a bit tricky for me as a non-native English speaker. To get more familiar with the "th" sound, I searched in YouGlish for words or combinations containing “th” in a phrase. For example “through”:

YouGlish now shows me the

relevant video clips where native speakers pronounce those sounds.

I can play little video snippets and focus on the sound patterns.

Now, focus on the repeat button, relisten to the phrase and repeat. If needed, on the right side, you’ll find the slowing down button. Also add videos that you want to work on later to your favorites.

It’s that simple.

This has been a game-changer in my learning journey. By exposing myself to many examples and practicing with YouGlish (it includes to record myself or at least speak it out loud).

It’s a process that takes time and dedication, but it’s rewarding to see progress in mastering this challenging sound.

Voiceless "th" sound: /θ/

This sound is found in words like "think" and "math" To pronounce it, place your tongue between your teeth without vibrating your vocal cords.

Now, search for “thing” in combination with “through”

Search term "thing through" on YouGlish

YouTube gives you the possibility to expose yourself to the same sound patterns again and again.

YouGlish example of the sound "th"

Now make a slight change of the search terms: think + through:

Now, you have a good example. “Once you think through these different domains, like.

Be aware of the slight changes in pronunciation.

This was just one example of how you could use YouGlish. The possibilities are endless. You just need to identify what you are struggeling with, find examples and focus on the clips.

I would love to hear how you practise your pronunciation in the comments. So that we can learn from each other. Thank you, Daniel.

PS: I’ve published a YouGlish video on YouTube. I still suck at making videos but I would appreciate a visit (you might even say hi in the comments)