[The Language Works]

Hello Harry

Yes, Korean students have some difficulty with pronunciation. Here are a few examples:

1) Their phonology does not allow for about half of the single consonants. Consonants are often combined with vowels:

dish becomes dishee: at the end of words "sh" is almost always followed by a long "e."

It's becomes Itsa: other consonants (here, "s") are followed by a short "a" or short "u" sound.

2) The "th" (as in thing) is not represented as aren't "r," "f" and "v."

Thing becomes ding or ting.
Lane becomes rain.
Very becomes berry.
Four becomes pour.

3) Diphthongs (two vowel sounds together-"gliding vowel") are more pronounced:

same=sa-im (with a long "a.")

"I think it's fish" can become...
"I dink it'sa fishee."

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes.
A four of fish and finger pies...

How about:

Penny rain isa in ma-ee eels anda in ma-ee eyesa
A pole oba pishee anda pingle pa-ees...

In fact, Beatles lyrics may be a good place to start...

The good news is that Korean students are very diligent. If they think your pronunciation is acceptable, they will work hard as you correct them.

The bad news is that they are usually experts when it comes to grammar. If you are weak in this area, you probably won't see them in the second lesson.