The English vowels are the problem.
The Spanish accent is stubborn to reduce.
Many learn English Spanish speakers struggle in speaking good English.
Our learn English Spanish speakers are dedicated, conscientious and methodical students, so why do they need to work harder at reducing their accent than other European language speaker? This is a very interesting question.
Although the consonants of English and Spanish have similarities, it is the old chestnut of the English vowel system and English stress patterns which seek to cause difficulties and stand in the way for our Spanish speakers learning English.
Strangely, our Spanish neighbours – the Catalans – do not struggle as much, nor do they face the same challenges which confront our Spanish speakers learning English. Indeed, they would appear to be at an advantage.
Why is this?
This is because Catalan contains a wide range of vowels and has a stress pattern system similar to that of English.
So what are the difficulties in learning English pronunciation for Spanish speakers? Well, there are several . . .
Firstly, the Spanish speaker encounters problems in recognising and sounding English vowels.
And, secondly, the voiced consonants which appear at the end of a word cause difficulty – these are particularly important sounds to native English speakers, especially in verb phrases – where we need to know where we are in time.
However, the most challenging to Spanish speakers learning English pronunciation must be the English pronunciation sounds of ‘sh’, ‘ch’, ‘j’, ’g’, ‘dge’ as only European Spanish has ‘ch’. Despite the advantage, or so it may seem to have the ‘ch’ sound, the articulatory organs of the lips may have developed the production of the sound block to be produced in the opposite direction to that of English – to linguists and ELT teachers such as ourselves – we find this aspect of applied linguistics fascinating and that’s why we enjoy doing what we do!
So, what is the answer for our Spanish speakers out there learning English?
It’s simple . . . Ready? Let’s Go . . .
Bring the lips forward as to kiss your partner – and say. . .
‘Cho’ ‘Choo’ . . .’Cho’ ‘Choo’ . . . ‘Cho’ ‘Choo’ . . .
Hold the lips in the same position – don’t let go – not even for a second!
Now say . . .
‘Judge’
See, it’s easy when you know how.
