Non‑native speakers often struggle with English pronunciation because the sound system differs
from their native language. English has many more vowel sounds than most languages, which leads
to confusion between similar words like “ship/sheep” or “full/fool.” Consonants such as R, L, TH,
and V/W are also challenging because they require unfamiliar tongue or lip positions.
Beyond sounds, English rhythm plays a major role. English is stress‑timed, meaning certain syllables
are emphasized while others are reduced. When stress is placed incorrectly, speech becomes harder to
understand—even if the sounds are correct.
Intonation also affects meaning. Rising and falling pitch patterns communicate emotion, intention,
and clarity. Mistakes here can make speech sound abrupt or unclear. Fortunately, once learners receive
proper instruction and consistent practice, pronunciation errors improve quickly, resulting in clearer
and more confident communication.
