Accurate English is a textbook and reference guide to the pronunciation of English in North America as it is spoken by educated native speakers in fluent speech. The vowels, consonants, rhythm, and intonation of American English are taught using the principles of articulatory phonetics. Students are led to discover these principles through experimenting with their own vocal tracts, using kinesthetic, visual, and auditory feedback. Theory is reinforced by numerous practice exercises working up from phrases to dialogues, reading passages, and oral presentations. In addition, spelling patterns for ordinary words, academic words, and exceptions, as well as rules for stress placement, are included. The goal of this book is to enable students to improve their pronunciation of English so that they can be understood effortlessly by native speakers in both formal and informal situations. The focus on English as it is actually spoken, including reductions, simplifications, and regional variations, also helps to improve listening comprehension.
