But while most English courses focus on grammar and vocabulary, there’s one key skill that often gets overlooked: pronunciation.

Why pronunciation is so important

If your goal is to make your voice heard — to be understood clearly and to understand others — then learning the core features of English pronunciation is essential.

Studies suggest that up to two-thirds of communication breakdowns between non-native speakers happen because of pronunciation, not grammar or word choice. These breakdowns can be frustrating, time-wasting, and stressful — for the speaker and the listener.

What Makes English Pronunciation Challenging?

Unlike some languages, English is not phonetic — meaning the way a word is spelled often doesn’t match how it’s pronounced. It also has irregular stress patterns, and its sound system varies by region and speaker.

That means even fluent learners can struggle with clarity — especially in international situations.

Even a simple word like 'banana' can cause confusion if it's mispronounced.

But here’s the good news

You don’t need to sound like a native speaker to be understood. English today has many accents from around the world.

What matters most is clear, intelligible communication — and that’s exactly what our free pronunciation guide is designed to explain.

👉 Download your copy of The Six Key Features of International English Pronunciation

It’s a quick, friendly introduction to the essential pronunciation points that can boost your clarity, confidence, and communication success.

Once you are aware of these six crucial features of English pronunciation, you will understand better how to practice and improve your speaking and listening.

And you'll be able to speak English with more confidence and clarity!