PTE Read Aloud: Don't Mispronounce These 3 Sounds!

Summary

This video script is a guide for test takers preparing for the PTE read aloud task, focusing on common pronunciation pitfalls. It outlines the three main scoring criteria: content, pronunciation, and oral fluency. The script emphasizes the importance of correctly pronouncing English vowel and consonant sounds, particularly tricky ones like 'th', 'v', and 'b'. It provides practice exercises, including tongue twisters, to help improve pronunciation. The video also advises using high-quality preparation materials from E2 Language Solutions for effective PTE practice.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Pronunciation is a critical aspect of the PTE read aloud task, where even minor mispronunciations can lead to penalties.
• 📚 On test day, candidates face 6-7 read aloud questions, requiring them to read a paragraph with up to 60 words and 2-3 sentences.
• 🎯 The PTE algorithm evaluates pronunciation based on the accurate articulation of 20 vowel sounds, 24 consonant sounds, and 144 consonant cluster sounds.
• 🌟 Three particularly challenging sounds for English language learners are 'th', 'v' and 'w', and 'p' and 'b' distinctions.
• 🔍 The 'th' sound in English has two variations: one where air is pushed out (as in 'thistle') and one where it's not (as in 'the', 'that').
• 👅 A tongue twister is used to practice the 'th' sounds: 'Three thousand thick thorny thistles thumped in the thunderstorm on Thursday.'
• ⚠️ High-quality preparation materials are essential for PTE success, as poor-quality questions can cause confusion.
• 🏫 E2's PTE preparation course is recommended for its expert-written questions and track record of helping students achieve their desired scores.
• 📈 The 'v' and 'w' sounds are often confused, especially among South Asian speakers, and must be articulated distinctly for the PTE algorithm.
• 🌐 Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern speakers often struggle with the 'p' and 'b' sounds, which are clearly differentiated to native English speakers and the PTE algorithm.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to help test takers improve their pronunciation for the read aloud task in the PTE exam, specifically by addressing common mispronunciations.

How many read aloud questions can a test taker expect on test day?

On test day, a test taker can expect to receive six or seven read aloud questions.

What are the three main aspects the PTE algorithm scores a candidate on?

The PTE algorithm scores a candidate on content, pronunciation, and oral fluency.

What specific sounds is the PTE algorithm testing for in pronunciation?

The PTE algorithm tests for the correct pronunciation of the 20 vowel sounds, 24 consonant sounds, and 144 consonant cluster sounds in English.

What are the three particularly troublesome sounds for English language students mentioned in the script?

The three troublesome sounds are 'th' as in 'this', 'that', 'theater', 'thistle', 'something', the 'v' and 'w' distinction as in 'violin', 'vet', 'wet', 'victim', and the 'p' and 'b' distinction as in 'bp', 'bin', 'pin', 'bark', 'park'.

How does the script suggest practicing the 'th' sound?

The script suggests practicing the 'th' sound by distinguishing between the voiceless 'th' sound (as in 'thistle', 'therapy', 'theater') and the voiced 'th' sound (as in 'this', 'that', 'these'), and by doing a tongue twister.

What is the importance of using high-quality preparation materials for PTE according to the script?

The script emphasizes that using high-quality, trustworthy PTE preparation materials, like those from e2, ensures that practice questions are written by English language experts, which helps avoid confusion and improve test performance.

How can one sign up for e2 test prep as mentioned in the script?

One can sign up for e2 test prep by going to their website, clicking the start free trial button, choosing PTE, selecting a package or trying it for free, and entering their details to verify their account.

What is the difference between the 'v' and 'w' sounds that the script discusses?

The 'v' sound is made by putting the top teeth onto the bottom lip and making a humming sound before releasing, while the 'w' sound is made by rounding the lips and making a humming sound in the throat.

How does the script describe the difference between the 'p' and 'b' sounds?

The script describes the 'p' sound as having more air pushed out when pronounced, like in 'peach', while the 'b' sound has less air pushed out and is more in the throat, as in 'beach'.

What is the final piece of advice given in the script regarding practice for the PTE exam?

The final piece of advice is to use high-quality, trustworthy practice materials and to consider e2 test prep for methods, mock tests, feedback, and more.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Mastering Pronunciation for PTE Read Aloud Task

This paragraph introduces the importance of correct pronunciation in the PTE (Pearson Test of English) read aloud task. It emphasizes that test takers often lose points due to simple mispronunciations. The video aims to help viewers by practicing the three most commonly mispronounced sounds in English. These sounds are crucial for scoring well on the test, which includes six or seven read aloud questions. The paragraph also explains that the PTE algorithm scores on content, pronunciation, and oral fluency, with a focus on the ability to pronounce 20 vowel sounds, 24 consonant sounds, and 144 consonant cluster sounds. The paragraph concludes with a call to action to subscribe for reliable PTE preparation advice.

05:02

🎓 E2's PTE Preparation Course and Challenging Sounds

The second paragraph discusses the quality of preparation materials for the PTE, highlighting that E2's course uses high-quality practice questions written by English language experts. It warns against using poor-quality free questions found online that may confuse students. The paragraph provides instructions on how to sign up for E2's test prep, including a free trial and access to expert live classes. It then focuses on a particularly challenging sound for many South Asians, the 'what' sound, and explains the difference between 'v' and 'w' sounds. The paragraph includes a demonstration of how to pronounce these sounds correctly and encourages practice with a provided read aloud example.

10:19

🌐 Addressing Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern Pronunciation Challenges

The final paragraph addresses the pronunciation challenges faced by speakers from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, specifically the differentiation between 'p' and 'b' sounds. It points out that for many, these sounds are indistinguishable, but they are crucially different for native English speakers and the PTE algorithm. The paragraph provides a demonstration of the correct pronunciation of 'b' and 'p' sounds and encourages viewers to practice differentiating them. It includes a read aloud exercise for further practice. The paragraph ends with a reminder about the benefits of using E2 test prep for high-quality, trustworthy practice materials and concludes with a sign-off from the presenter, Jay.

Keywords

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation refers to the way words are articulated when spoken. In the context of the video, it is a critical aspect of the PTE (Pearson Test of English) scoring algorithm, where test takers are evaluated on their ability to correctly pronounce English sounds. The video emphasizes the importance of accurate pronunciation to avoid penalties, especially for vowel and consonant sounds, which are integral to the language's phonetic structure.

💡Read Aloud Task

The 'Read Aloud' task is a specific section of the PTE where test takers are required to read a given text out loud. This task is highlighted in the video as an area where mispronunciations can lead to significant scoring penalties. The video aims to help test takers practice and improve their pronunciation to excel in this task.

💡Algorithm

In the video, the term 'algorithm' refers to the automated system used by the PTE to evaluate test takers' performance. The algorithm assesses pronunciation, content, and oral fluency. It is portrayed as a precise tool that can detect even minor pronunciation errors, emphasizing the need for test takers to be meticulous in their pronunciation.

💡Vowel Sounds

Vowel sounds are the vocal sounds produced without any obstruction of the airflow in the vocal tract. The video mentions that the PTE algorithm tests the ability to pronounce 20 vowel sounds correctly, including short and long vowels and diphthongs. These sounds are fundamental to English pronunciation and are crucial for clear communication.

💡Consonant Sounds

Consonant sounds are produced by the obstruction or constriction of airflow in the vocal tract. The video discusses the importance of correctly pronouncing the 24 consonant sounds in English, which are evaluated by the PTE algorithm. Proper consonant pronunciation is essential for test takers to avoid misunderstandings and to score well.

💡Consonant Cluster Sounds

Consonant cluster sounds are groups of consonants that occur together within a word. The video points out that there are 144 consonant cluster sounds in English, like 'br' in 'bro'. These sounds can be challenging for non-native speakers and are specifically tested by the PTE algorithm, making them a focus area for test preparation.

💡Mispronunciation

Mispronunciation occurs when a word is not pronounced correctly according to the standard rules of a language. The video script discusses common mispronunciations that can lead to penalties in the PTE, such as issues with 'th' sounds and the distinction between 'v' and 'w' sounds. Correcting these mispronunciations is key to improving test scores.

💡PTE Preparation

PTE Preparation refers to the process of studying and practicing for the Pearson Test of English. The video encourages the use of high-quality, trustworthy materials for effective preparation. It suggests that using materials written by language experts, like those from E2, can help test takers avoid confusion and improve their scores.

💡Oral Fluency

Oral fluency is the ability to speak with ease, smoothness, and without hesitation. In the video, it is one of the three main areas on which the PTE algorithm scores test takers. Fluency is not just about speed but also about the natural flow of speech, which is essential for effective communication.

💡Content

In the context of the PTE, 'content' refers to the accuracy and appropriateness of the information conveyed in the test taker's response. The video mentions that, along with pronunciation and fluency, content is a key aspect evaluated by the PTE algorithm. Test takers must ensure they not only pronounce words correctly but also convey the intended meaning accurately.

💡High-Quality Practice Materials

High-quality practice materials are essential for effective test preparation. The video script emphasizes the importance of using materials created by language experts, which are likely to be more accurate and beneficial for test takers. These materials can provide clear guidance and practice opportunities that mimic the actual test conditions.

Highlights

Scoring AI in PTE read aloud tasks focuses on pronunciation, where test takers often lose points due to avoidable mispronunciations.

Test day includes six to seven read aloud questions with up to 60 words and multiple sentences.

PTE algorithm scores on content, pronunciation, and oral fluency, with a significant emphasis on correct pronunciation of vowel and consonant sounds.

English has 20 vowel sounds, 24 consonant sounds, and 144 consonant cluster sounds that are tested in PTE.

Three particularly troublesome sounds for English language students are 'th', 'v', and 'p/b' distinctions.

The 'th' sound has two variations: one with breath and one without, which are crucial to distinguish for correct pronunciation.

A tongue twister is provided to practice the 'th' sounds: 'Three thousand thick thorny thistles thumped in the thunderstorm on Thursday.'

Practicing with high-quality, trustworthy PTE preparation materials is essential to avoid confusion and improve scores.

E2's PTE preparation course offers high-quality practice questions written by English language experts.

The 'v' and 'w' sounds are often confused, and the PTE algorithm is precise in identifying these pronunciation errors.

Ancient violin makers and varnishes are used as an example in a read aloud practice to distinguish 'v' and 'w' sounds.

The 'p' and 'b' sounds are another common pronunciation challenge, especially for speakers from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The difference between 'b' and 'p' sounds is demonstrated with examples like 'beach' and 'peach', emphasizing the air pushed out.

A read aloud practice is provided to differentiate 'b' and 'p': 'Bees and flowers have a harmonious interdependency with equal benefits for both.'

E2 test prep offers methods, mock tests, feedback, and more for high-quality practice to improve PTE pronunciation.

The importance of correctly pronouncing 'p' and 'b' is highlighted through the example of bees and flowers ensuring plant propagation.

Transcripts

when you complete a pt read aloud task

on test day the scoring ai is listening

very carefully to your pronunciation

test takers often get penalized in this

task for simple mispronunciations that

could easily be avoided so in this video

we're going to do some real read aloud

practice and i'm going to show you three

of the most commonly mispronounced

sounds in english so that you can

pronounce these sounds correctly on test

day

so on test day you're going to get six

or seven read aloud questions that look

like this

your job is to read the paragraph of

text which contains up to 60 words and

includes one two or maybe three

sentences

sounds pretty easy right well let's see

just before we get started and look at

the three sounds that can trip you up in

pte make sure you click that subscribe

button for trustworthy high quality pt

preparation advice

so it's important to understand that on

test day the pte algorithm scores you in

three main ways

you are scored on content pronunciation

and oral fluency

pronunciation is a major issue for a lot

of pte candidates but what does

pronunciation actually mean

well specifically the pte algorithm is

testing you on

your ability to say the 20 vowel sounds

correctly the short vowel sounds the

long vowel sounds and the diphthongs

like

etc

the 24 consonant sounds of english like

etc

and the 144 consonant cluster sounds

like bro

etc

now in english there are three sounds

that are particularly troublesome for a

lot of english language students these

problem sounds include the as in this

that theater thistle something

the

what distinction as in violin or violin

vet wet victim victim etc

and the

pert distinction as in bp bin pin

bark park etc

let's take a closer look at that

sound

here's a read aloud that contains a lot

of th

th or the sounds can you see them

so there are actually sort of two

sounds in english there's the third

sound where you push air out like 3 or

30 for example and then there's the the

sound where you just make a noise in

your throat let's take a closer look

so there's the the sound with no breath

like the

this

that these and then you can feel the

noise in your throat

then there's the th sound where you use

your breath like thistle therapy theater

something

let's do a tongue twister together so

that we can practice making these sounds

i'll go first and then you try it

three thousand thick thorny thistles

thumped in the thunderstorm on thursday

you try it

say it with me 3 000 thick thorny

thistles thumped in the thunderstorm on

thursday

so let's take a closer look at that read

aloud from before and i want you to hit

the sounds correctly ready i'll say it

first and then you do it

chemotherapy drugs frequently cause

inflammation in the liver and when they

do doctors must often lower patients

doses or stop administering the

therapies altogether

clinical studies have investigated using

milk thistle to treat liver damage from

toxins such as rose thorn poisoning

your turn

well done now before we move on to talk

about the second most troubling

pronunciation point in english i want to

talk to you about why you should only

consider practicing with high quality

trustworthy pte preparation materials

like those from e2

e2's pte preparation course only uses

high quality practice questions that are

written by english language experts

a lot of the free questions you find on

the internet are a very poor quality and

will create more confusion than clarity

so when choosing a prep course choose

one written by experts with a track

record of helping millions of students

get the scores they need

how do you sign up to e2 test prep it's

easy go to wwe

or click the link in the description

below

click the start free trial button in the

top right corner

choose pte

choose a package or you can try it for

free

enter your details

you will then be sent an email to verify

your account and that's it you can try

out high quality practice questions and

you can even join our expert live

classes

so keep that in mind when choosing who

to prepare with okay

all right let's now look at a

particularly troubling sound for many

south asians

the

what sound

so these two sounds often get confused

and the v sounds like a what and the

work sounds like a v

remember that the speaking algorithm is

very precise when it comes to picking up

pronunciation errors so you need to make

sure you get these two sounds exactly

right

here's a read aloud that has lots of

work distinctions

so the v sound is made by putting your

top teeth onto your bottom lip like

and making a humming sound in your

throat before releasing your teeth and

lips and the air the

the

sound is made by rounding your lips and

making a humming sound in your throat

they are very different sounds

here we go let's do a read aloud

together

i'll go first and then you can do it

after me

ancient violin makers used a variety of

oil-based varnishes

while oil varnishes soak down into the

slender crevices between the fibers of

the wood

spirit varnishes coat the wood to

improve the musical vibrations

your turn

how did you go with that

distinction it's an important one to get

right

okay let's now look at the third most

difficult to pronounce sound in english

and this affects many people from

southeast asia and the middle east

we're going to look at the p b sound

so for many people there doesn't seem to

be a difference between per and b they

sound almost exactly the same or exactly

the same but for native english speakers

and the pte algorithm there's a big

difference between per and

ready

listen carefully for the difference in

the sound of bu and per

b

p

beach

peach

bath

path

bark

park

bay

pay

now it's your turn to say these sounds

and differentiate b from per

okay pause the video and say each of

these words and pronounce each sound

correctly

it's almost indistinguishable when

making the per sound as in peach like

the fruit you push the air out whereas

when you make the

sound as in beach there is less air

being pushed out it's more in the throat

let's practice with a read aloud

okay let me say this first and then you

should read it aloud as well

bees and flowers have a harmonious

interdependency with equal benefits for

both

the insects obtain nectar and pollen

pollinate the flower and ensure the

plant's propagation

even humans benefit as without bees

there would be no apples and no honey a

morally immaculate win-win situation

okay your turn

how did you go with the

distinction remember that if you want

more practice high quality trustworthy

practice then check out e2 test prep we

have great questions methods mock tests

feedback and much much more my name is

jay see you soon

[Music]