The Most Common Pronunciation Mistakes ESL Learners Make

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The Most Common Pronunciation Mistakes ESL Learners Make

After all of my years of teaching, I’ve heard every pronunciation mistake you can imagine. And guess what? They’re not random. ESL learners all over the world struggle with the same sounds — again and again. 😄

So if you’ve ever thought, “Why is pronunciation so hard for me?” let me stop you right there:

👉 You’re not bad at English.
👉 Your mouth is just doing what it learned first.

Can I get an AMEN?

Let's review some of the most common mistakes below.

1. Mixing Up B and V

This one is everywhere.

  • berry vs. very

  • boat vs. vote

Why it happens: Many languages don’t separate these sounds.

Quick fix:

  • B = lips close and pop

  • V = top teeth touch bottom lip and vibrate

Put your hand on your throat. If it vibrates, you’re doing it right. Ta-da! ✨

2. Confusing L and R

Ah yes… the classic.

  • light vs. right

  • glass vs. grass

Why it happens: Your tongue placement matters more than the letter.

Quick fix:

  • L = tongue touches the roof behind your teeth

  • R = tongue pulls back, no touching

Say them slowly. Feel your tongue. Hummmmm… awareness is everything.

3. Adding Extra Vowel Sounds

English learners often add vowels where English doesn’t want them.

  • eschool (school)

  • filum (film)

Why it happens: Many languages don’t allow consonants to sit next to each other.

Quick fix:

  • Practice short, tight consonant endings

  • Say school like one smooth sound — not two

Boom. Cleaner English instantly.

4. Pronouncing Every Letter You See

English spelling lies. We’ve talked about this 😄

  • knight (silent k)

  • listen (silent t)

  • climb (silent b)

Why it happens: Learners trust spelling too much.

Quick fix:

  • Learn words by sound first, spelling second

  • Use a dictionary with audio

Your ears should lead. Your eyes can follow later.

5. Stressing the Wrong Syllable

This one can change meaning completely.

  • PREsent (noun)

  • preSENT (verb)

Why it happens: Stress rules are different in every language.

Quick fix:

  • Listen for music in English

  • Copy rhythm, not just sounds

English has a beat. Feel it.

6. Flat Intonation (No Music)

If English sounds bored, listeners get confused.

Why it happens: Many languages use flatter intonation.

Quick fix:

  • Let your voice rise for questions

  • Drop your voice at the end of statements

Yes, it might feel dramatic. No, it’s not wrong. 😄

What Really Matters

Here’s the truth:

Perfect pronunciation is not the goal.

Clear pronunciation is.

If people understand you — you’re doing it right.

Final Thought

Why do we do this to ourselves — trying to sound perfect instead of understandable?

Pronunciation improves with awareness, listening, and patience. Little by little, your mouth learns new habits. And one day, without noticing, English starts to sound more like you.

Keep going. I see you. 

I love you all.

Okay… now go practice one sound — just one 😉
Tata for now 💛


Want to know which sounds to practice? Take a look at some pages that I have on the website for some video guidance. 

Accent training database: https://englishwithyasmine.helpdocsonline.com/accent-training

Accent tips: https://englishwithyasmine.weebly.com/accent-tips.html

Speech training videos: https://englishwithyasmine.weebly.com/speech-training-videos.html