Common Spanish pronunciation errors made by native English speakers

All of us who have learned Spanish as a second language have probably struggled from time to time with wanting to sound more like a native speaker. Here are some common Spanish pronunciation errors made by native English speakers:

1. Pronouncing the “r” sound like the English “r”: In Spanish, the “r” sound is pronounced by rolling the tongue, while in English it is pronounced with a vibrating sound at the back of the throat. This can be difficult for English speakers to master.
2. Pronouncing “j” and “g” like the English “j” and “g”: In Spanish, the “j” and “g” sounds are pronounced like an aspirated “h” sound. In English, the “j” sound is pronounced like a “d” sound and the “g” sound is pronounced like a hard “g” sound.
3. Pronouncing vowels: Spanish vowels are pronounced differently than English vowels. For example, “a” is pronounced like “ah,” “e” is pronounced like “ay,” “i” is pronounced like “ee,” “o” is pronounced like “oh,” and “u” is pronounced like “oo.”
4. Stressing the wrong syllable: In Spanish, the stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable. In English, stress can be on any syllable.
5. Mispronouncing double consonants: In Spanish, double consonants are pronounced with a slight pause between them, whereas in English they are pronounced as a single consonant. For example, “doble” is pronounced “DOH-bleh” in Spanish.
6. Pronouncing the letter “v” like the English “v”: In Spanish, the “v” sound is pronounced like a soft “b” sound. In English, the “v” sound is pronounced as a hard “v” sound.

It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of common Spanish pronunciation errors made by native English speakers. Everyone’s experience with language learning is different, and some people may struggle with different aspects of Spanish pronunciation.

While there are many resources on the internet to help native English-speakers improve their pronunciation of the Spanish language, here are 5 websites to start with:

1. SpanishDict: SpanishDict is a comprehensive online Spanish language resource that offers a variety of tools for improving pronunciation, including audio pronunciations of common words and phrases, a pronunciation guide, and a pronunciation practice tool.
2. Forvo: Forvo is a website that provides audio pronunciations of words in various languages, including Spanish. Users can search for words and hear how they are pronounced by native speakers.
3. BBC Spanish: The BBC Spanish website offers a variety of resources for Spanish learners, including a section on pronunciation. The site includes audio recordings of common words and phrases, along with a guide to Spanish pronunciation.
4. Pronunciator: Pronunciator is a language learning platform that offers courses in a variety of languages, including Spanish. The platform offers a range of resources for improving pronunciation, including audio recordings, pronunciation drills, and a speech recognition tool for practicing pronunciation.
5. FluentU: FluentU is an online language learning platform that offers a range of resources for improving pronunciation in Spanish. The site includes video content with interactive subtitles, as well as a pronunciation guide and practice exercises. Users can also record themselves speaking and compare their pronunciation to native speakers.