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Old 01-Dec-2008, 19:39
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Default 'street' pronunciation, please help

hi, I'll tell you something, right now I'm in England, Nottingham, studying accounting, business, etc, my English is not bad, BUT I've been to Asda today, for a pizza, but everytime I go there I am so much stressed - I just hate when the guy is asking me something, and I don't know what he is saying... and sometimes I try to overhear what people say in the streets, but I am not able to understand them properly, it is so annoying, after 10 years of learning English...

could anyone tell me a title of a book, course, anything, that would help me to learn to understand the accent ordinary people speak with, please??
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Old 01-Dec-2008, 21:15
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Smile Re: 'street' pronunciation, please help

Do not worry, that happens to everyone!

If you find it difficult to use UK English, this page may help you out:
BBC Learning English | Home page

If you find it difficult to pronounce the sounds of UK English, maybe this webpage may help out: start downloading the videos, each symbol has a video
BBC Learning English | Pronunciation Tips

As a learner, you should not stop listening to real English: Here are a lot of podcast you may start downloading (subscribe to those one you find more interesting, there are many subjects, use the feed readers)
BBC - Radio - Podcasts - Directory

How to use English in a general way:
Learn English

If you like listening to radio:
PublicRadioFan.com

As for the book: I recommend "Practical English Usage", by Michael Swan. OXFORD.

For more details, PM me. I have a lot of interesting information I'd like to share.

Good luck!

Last edited by Offroad; 01-Dec-2008 at 21:22.
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Old 01-Dec-2008, 21:22
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Default Re: 'street' pronunciation, please help

In the meantime, say to the person serving you "I am sorry, I do not quite understand. Please repeat what you said slowly." [emphasise the slowly!] Apart from anything else, you are probably having to deal with a local accent.
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