How to say the unvoiced /th/ sound ?

[alialili]

Do I need stretch my tip of tongue out of the upper and lower tooth ? or just let it behind the tooth and slightly touch the tooth?

Thanks very much!

Alex

[riverkid]

Do I need stretch my tip of tongue out of the upper and lower tooth ? or just let it behind the tooth and slightly touch the tooth?

Thanks very much!

Alex

Could you give us an example of a word you have in mind, Alex, so that we're all on the same page?

[alialili]

such as th in "thank you", or "think"

[riverkid]

such as th in "thank you", or "think"

Do I need stretch my tip of tongue out [of] between the upper and lower teeth ? or just let it behind the teeth and slightly touch the teeth?

Thanks, Alialili.

"just [let] put it behind the UPPER teeth and slightly touch the back of the teeth.

This is fine but the tendency for ESLs who don't have this sound in their own language is to fudge it too much so that the proper sound isn't created. I encourage those students to extend the tongue out a little farther and focus on the sound. As you become more proficient in replicating the sound, the tongue will naturally fall back into the correct position.

When we native speakers say a strong 'thank you', our tongues extend farther than when we do a softer 'thank you'/'think'. Practice strong th's. You' later will naturally do softer ones.

[alialili]

Thank you very much, riverkid !

Your explanation is very clear and helpful!