176 /n/ vs /ŋ/ Comparison The /n/ and /ŋ/ sounds at the end of a word in Chinese may not be pronounced in
conversational speech. Instead, the vowel before is nasalised (i.e. air goes through the nose). For this reason, you may not make a difference between ban and bang in English. Some Chinese speakers may not make a difference between then and them (especially Southern Min speakers). If you have this problem, then go to the /n/ vs /m/ worksheet.
Lesson 9 Rhythm
Lesson 10 Consonants
Lesson 11 The /v/ Sound
Measure Your Progress
Lesson 12 Final Consonants
G J TR L 309 Rhythm 47 Consonants 68
130 166
55 58
117 120
Lesson 13 Vowel Length
Lesson 14 Creating Vowels
Lesson 15 The /iː/ & /ɪ/ Sounds
TT BT TR
243 292
The /v/ Sound /v/ vs /f/ /v/ vs /w/
The /t/ Sound The /d/ Sound Pronouncing “ed” Consonant Clusters
Notice how Chinese words are usually one syllable long and they have a particular tone assigned to it. This creates a more sudden rhythm. Work on being more sustained in English.
It is important to watch the second video on this worksheet and continue onto the next few pages. You can watch the first video if you want to know more about consonants.
Most Chinese speakers do not have /v/ in their native dialect. Use these worksheets to help you create the sound and also make a distinction between /v/ and /f/ (very-ferry), and /v/ and /w/ (vine-wine).
Re-record yourself reading “A Perfect Match”. Can you notice improvements?
Chinese words usually end in a vowel sound. This means that you may either not pronounce a final consonant in English, or you might add an extra vowel to the end of the word. First practise pronouncing /t/ and /d/ at the end of words on the first two worksheets. Then practise pronouncing “ed” and finally the Consonant Clusters worksheet.
Understand the rule on this worksheet and practise. Explore how you create vowel sounds.
You may not make a difference between sheep (FLEECE) and ship (KIT). For the FLEECE vowel check that it is similar to Mandarin衣.
