BROADCASTS.com

Published: July 29, 2015, 8:30 a.m.

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As you probably already realize, English can be a difficult language to spell and pronounce sometimes. Don\\u2019t worry! Even native American English speakers sometimes have trouble understanding other Americans from different parts of the United States.

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In this English tip Gabby provides a few helpful hints to remember when you are trying to understand what people are saying, and also so that you will be able to pronounce them correctly so that you can be easily understood. There are few things as frustrating as asking somebody to repeat what they said, over and over again. It\\u2019s the same is somebody has to keep asking you to repeat what you said until they can understand you.

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Remember! Try to speak and listen to as much English as you can. This will sharpen your English language skills and make you a better speaker. Don\\u2019t forget to visit gonaturalenglish.com for more tips, and also to get a copy of Gabby\\u2019s free eBook. You will be so happy that you visited the website.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEbgQha8fjA

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Episode transcript below:

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Well, hello there.

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How are you today?

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Welcome to Go Natural English.

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This is a quick English tip.

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I have a question from a Go Natural English audience member, Ynigo.

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Ynigo asks, \\u201cWhat is the difference in pronunciation between the words \\u201cb-e-n\\u201d and \\u201cb-e-e-n?\\u201d And \\u201cb-e-a-n?\\u201d

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That\\u2019s a great question.

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I love pronunciation questions so I\\u2019m excited to answer this one.

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And you know what? I have another bonus tip for you besides explaining the difference between these three words which is a wonderful question.

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It\\u2019s very detailed though, and I\\u2019d like us to think big picture about language learning so, my suggestion \\u2013 my big picture suggestion \\u2013 is that you expose yourself to as much English as possible.

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That way, your brain will start recognizing patterns, and recognizing when you hear words that might be spelled the same, or you might think they\\u2019re the same, but they\\u2019re just not.

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Your brain kind of goes \\u201cooh \\u2013 ding.\\u201d

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That\\u2019s different, so I\\u2019m going to remember, and your brain also recognizes the patterns.

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It\\u2019s another light bulb moment if you listen to a lot of English.

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So, keep watching Go Natural English on YouTube, and listen to Go Natural English five times a week on the podcast \\u2013 on iTunes for ios, and on Stitcher for your Android device.

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So, you can get a ton of English that way and if you want more \\u2013 if you want more practice and support as well, you can join the Go Natural English premium course at gonaturalenglish.com.

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Now, what is the difference between \\u201cben\\u201d like \\u201cBig Ben\\u201d you know the big clock tower in London, the historical landmark, \\u201cBig Ben.\\u201d

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I remember when I had a spelling test in 2nd grade and the teacher asked me to spell \\u201cben\\u201d in front of the whole class and I said \\u201cb-e-n\\u201d because I was thinking about Big Ben \\u2013 of course.

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Well, I was wrong, and I was told to sit down in front of the whole class because \\u201cyou can\\u2019t spell.\\u201d

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No, my teacher didn\\u2019t say that.

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She wasn\\u2019t mean.

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She was very nice, but I felt really bad because you can totally spell ben \\u201cb-e-n\\u201d, but it\\u2019s not what she meant

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She just didn\\u2019t explain that.

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Clearly I\\u2019m still upset about this \\u2013 joking.

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So, \\u201cben\\u201d, the way my teacher in 2nd grade meant it was \\u201cb-e-e-n\\u201d, the verb.

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For example, \\u201cI have been to Paris.\\u201d

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So, \\u201cI have been doing many exciting things. I have been traveling a lot these days.\\u201d

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So, you use \\u201cbeen\\u201d as part of your verb, or a participle.

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That is \\u201cb-e-e-n.\\u201d

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So, to answer your question Ynigo, it is not the same as \\u201cb-e-a-n.\\u201d

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That word is a food that you eat and it\\u2019s called \\u201cbean.\\u201d

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I actually love to eat beans they\\u2019re very healthy, and helpful.

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So, \\u201cbean\\u201d is an \\u201cee\\u201d sound \\u2013 \\u201cbean\\u201d \\u2013 similar to \\u201cseat.\\u201d

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