V vs W minimal pairs
V is made with the top teeth touching the lower lip and the cords buzzing; W uses no teeth at all, just rounded lips gliding into the vowel. Speakers of German, Hindi and Russian often merge them. Watch your mouth in a mirror: if your teeth never touch your lip, you said W.
Accent
15 words · intermediate · your accent and voice are remembered across the site. More options on the settings page.
The words
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Long vs short vowel pairs
Ship or sheep, full or fool, pull or pool. Hear the tense and lax vowel pairs side by side.
Voiced TH words
The buzzing TH in this, that and mother. Feel your vocal cords vibrate on every one of these.
Voiceless TH words
The soft breathy TH in think, three and mouth. No vocal cord buzz, just airflow over the tongue.
R vs L minimal pairs
Rice or lice, right or light. Hear the R and L contrast that trips up many learners, pair by pair.
S vs Z sounds
Sip or zip, price or prize. The only difference is voicing, and it changes the word completely.
SH vs CH sounds
Ship or chip, share or chair. One flows, one starts with a tiny stop. Hear the pairs contrasted.
Keep practising
Browse every practice list, hear two accents back to back on Compare, or test your ear with the listening quiz.