--- title: How Tongue-Twisters can Help your Pronunciation description: One of the most important topics in learning English is pronunciation. Students often feel very challenged by some difficult words like “through” and “rural” for example, usually because there are certain phonemes in the English language that are not usual or don’t exist in their native language. It is also a polarizing topic among teachers. image: https://blog.approachusa.org/hubfs/blog_banners2021%20(7).png --- - [Contact Us](https://approachusa.org/contact-us/) - [Apply Now](https://approachusa.org/application-form-2/) Menu - [Programs of Study](https://approachusa.org/programs-of-study/) - [English as a Second Language (ESL)](https://approachusa.org/esl/) - [Test Preparation (TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT)](https://approachusa.org/testprep/) - [Advanced Programs](https://approachusa.org/speccialty-programs/) - [ESL Teen Culture Program](https://approachusa.org/youth-programs/) - [Student Services](https://approachusa.org/student-services-2/) - [Join our Community](https://pages.approachusa.org/approachusa-community) - [Blog](https://blog.approachusa.org/) - [Academic & Career Advising](https://approachusa.org/academicadvising/) - [Student Activities](https://approachusa.org/academic-activities/) - [Students’ Success Stories](https://approachusa.org/students-success-stories/) - [Housing](https://approachusa.org/student-services/) - [Admissions](https://pages.approachusa.org/en-us/our-programs-usa) - [Apply from Abroad](https://pages.approachusa.org/applying-from-abroad) - [Tuition and Fees](https://pages.approachusa.org/tuition-and-fees) [![Approach International Student Center®](https://blog.approachusa.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Approach_USA_April2021/images/header_logo.png?height=500&name=header_logo.png "Approach International Student Center®")](https://approachusa.org/) - Call us today **[+1 617 787 5401](https://wa.me/16177875401)** - Email us **[admissions@approachusa.com](mailto:admissions@approachusa.com)** ![](https://blog.approachusa.org/hubfs/blog_banners2021%20(7).png) # How Tongue-Twisters can Help your Pronunciation Published by [Marcelo Santana](https://blog.approachusa.org/author/marcelo-santana) on Dec 14, 2021 5:09:19 PM One of the most important topics in learning English is ***pronunciation***. Students often feel very challenged by some difficult words like ***“through”*** and ***“rural”*** for example, usually because there are certain phonemes in the English language that are not usual or don’t exist in their native language. It is also a polarizing topic among teachers. There are some who believe that you should start teaching and focusing on pronunciation since day one, and others that think that it is a secondary topic. However, it doesn’t matter where you stand in this spectrum, we will all agree that ***tongue twisters*** are, at least, fun! In this post, I plan on explaining why ***tongue twisters*** are not only fun but can really help you with pronunciation. ![](https://blog.approachusa.org/hubfs/blog_banners2021%20(8)-png.png) First, let’s understand what tongue twisters are and take a look at some examples: A ***tongue twister,*** according to the [Merriam-Webster dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/), is “a word, phrase, or sentence difficult to articulate because of a succession of similar consonantal sounds”. They exist in practically every language, and are used by teachers worldwide. The idea is to increase the speed you say the ***tongue twister*** as you get better at it. Try doing that: read the tongue twisters below slowly and then increase the speed as you go. Some examples of ***tongue twisters*** in English are: - *Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?* - *A loyal warrior will rarely worry why we rule.* - *She sells seashells by the seashore.* - *A pessimistic pest exists amidst us.* - *The chic Sikh's sixty-sixth sheep is sick* Now, how can those sentences be useful to my pronunciation? [Research from MIT](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/611383) (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) showed that ***tongue twisters*** really do help kids with speech impediments and stuttering. They proved that practicing tongue twisters help the coordination between one’s brain and their tongues. Due to the difficulty of some tongue twisters, brain connectivity is improved when practicing ***tongue twisters***. You can read more about the research [here](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201312/tongue-twisters-reveal-quirky-brain-functions). Are you ready to try some tongue twisters and improve your pronunciation? Check out the videos below and practice them as much as you can to improve your brain connectivity with your mouth and get better at pronunciation.  \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ [3:46 Tongue Twisters: Advanced English Pronunciation PracticeYouTube · Espresso EnglishDec 12, 2012](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB_1VNQazNo) [PreviewPreview10:41Try These 8 English Tongue Twisters To Improve Your English ...YouTube · Learn English with Let's Talk - Free English LessonsJan 19, 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGQXgUIVSDo) [PreviewPreview4:30Top 5 Tongue Twisters in English!YouTube · Learn English with EnglishClass101.comSep 15, 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1mwreTOJq0) [Back to Blog](https://blog.approachusa.org) ## Related Articles ## [How Speaking a Second Language Can Help Your Career](https://blog.approachusa.org/how-speaking-a-second-language-can-help-your-career) Learning a second language is a life-changing experience. 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