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When you find the words

English is a truly global language.

From the first ‘hello’ everyone has a very different experience of learning a language. Throughout the journey, we each develop our own unique voices that allow us to interact with English speakers from across the globe. And today, we are far more likely to use English in conversation with non-native speakers than with native speakers.

Focusing on international pronunciation and intelligibility will prepare students for successful communication, and join a global community of English speakers, while still maintaining their own unique accent and identity.

#FindTheWords

Sebastián Taboada (General Manager of OUP Mexico) shares his experience learning English. He speaks about the challenges of pronunciation in making himself understood and the confidence which comes from being brave enough to speak out regardless of making mistakes.

In over 40 years I have had quite a journey with English learning... This is the story of where this never-ending journey got me so far. It is not just about being able to say what you want to say, but mean what you want to mean

– Sebastián Taboada,
General Manager – Mexico, English Language Teaching, Oxford University Press

Share your story of learning a language here

How pronunciation played a part in my language learning journey.

Have you ever looked at a word and tried to avoid saying it because you are not sure how it is pronounced? Or worried that someone might not understand you because you have an accent?

Małgosia Tetiurka, Robin Walker, and Sebastián Taboada participated a livestream, where they shared their own experiences of learning languages and gave tips to guide students to overcome their challenges and communicate successfully in a global world.

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Become a Pronunciation Expert at our ELT Online Conference

There are five vowel letters in English and twenty vowel sounds. A recipe for disaster! Especially when the pronunciation of English has a reputation for not being the easiest thing to learn… But the situation isn't as grim as it might appear.

Find out more about ELTOC

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English Pronunciation for a Global World

Our experts have identified international pronunciation skills as a key goal for language learners. Instead of aiming for a native speaker accent, learners should focus on pronunciation features that make them intelligible to speakers from a variety of language backgrounds.

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Teachers of English

Help your students find the words and share those amazing moments watching them grow and achieve!

Complete these fun activities with your classes and share their stories!

Learners of English

Share your story of learning a language with the community! What special moments have you had on your journey?

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The Beginning

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It's easy to get discouraged when we start learning a language like English. Mistakes happen and our pronunciation is not quite right. But with sheer perseverance, there will eventually come a time when we stop actively translating word for word. We ease up and let the accent of our mother tongue shine through. When we speak or write because we simply want to communicate, when we find the words - that's when the magic happens.

The Magic

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When we make ourselves understood, the possibilities are endless. Because learning or teaching a language like English is endless. There's always so much to discover that it can often feel overwhelming to catch up. But there's a magic in knowing we can never really master the language. All we can do is keep making progress. We can let our guard down and find the fun in discovering something new with every conversation, online and off.

The Next Steps

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Your world gets bigger when you learn the most globally connected language. Whatever you want to achieve in life, wherever you want to go, or however you want to express yourself, learning a language like English can connect you with the world.

For videos or photos, you can share them with us on our social channels using #FindTheWords. Remember to get permission from your students or their parents before you share video or pictures of them on social media. You can use this model release form (PDF, 150KB) if you need to.