Getting your English pronunciation right can transform the way you communicate, and this intermediate course led by Mariana Lafon is designed to take you from solid foundations to confident, natural-sounding speech. With a background in vocal technique, phonetics, and phonology from her MA Acting in London, Mariana brings a unique performance-based approach to every lesson.
What pronunciation topics does the course cover?
The course is structured around the building blocks of spoken English. You will work with vocal phonemes, which are the individual sounds that make up words, along with diphthongs — sounds where two vowels blend together in a single syllable — and r-coloring, the way the r sound modifies surrounding vowels [0:42].
Beyond vowels, the course covers consonant phonemes and consonant clusters, which are groups of consonants that appear together without a vowel between them. Mastering these clusters is essential because they often trip up non-native speakers.
You will also practice:
- Contractions of do, have, and modal verbs so your speech flows naturally.
- The correct pronunciation of irregular verbs, which frequently cause confusion.
- Linking sounds the way a native speaker does, connecting words smoothly instead of pronouncing each one in isolation [1:02].
- Differences in spelling and pronunciation between American and British English.
How do word stress and intonation change meaning?
Word stress refers to which syllable in a word receives the most emphasis, while stress patterns in sentences determine which words stand out in a phrase. Placing stress on the wrong syllable can make a word unrecognizable, and stressing the wrong word in a sentence can shift the entire meaning [1:15].
Intonation goes even further. The course explores pauses, tones, and how rising or falling pitch changes what you communicate — turning a statement into a question or signaling surprise, certainty, or doubt [1:23].
What tools and resources will you need?
Mariana recommends three simple items that make practice far more effective:
- A recording device — your phone, laptop, or tablet works perfectly. The key habit is to record yourself doing the exercises and listen back to spot areas for improvement [1:48].
- A hand mirror so you can watch your own mouth and articulators (tongue, lips, jaw) while practicing. This visual feedback helps you match the movements you see in the course close-ups [2:03].
- A notebook for taking notes you can revisit later.
Why are the IPA guide and workbook important?
The IPA, which stands for International Phonetic Alphabet, is a standardized system that assigns one symbol to every distinct sound in human language. Downloading the IPA quick guide Mariana prepared will help you read the phonetic transcriptions used throughout the course [2:25].
Alongside the guide, a workbook and answer key are available so you can complete exercises independently and check your progress [2:36].
How does the course help you practice like a performer?
One standout feature is the use of close-ups that show exactly what Mariana does with her mouth when pronouncing a word, so you can imitate the precise position of your lips, tongue, and jaw [1:32]. The course also includes role plays created in collaboration with the Platzi team, giving you realistic conversational scenarios to apply what you learn [1:39].
Before starting any pronunciation practice session, warming up is essential. Just like singers and actors prepare their voices, you should loosen your articulators to get the best results. If you are unsure how to warm up, a dedicated class in the basic course walks you through the process [2:44].
Whether you are aiming for clearer everyday conversation or polishing your accent for professional settings, consistent practice with these tools and techniques will make a noticeable difference. Share in the comments which area of pronunciation you find most challenging — vowels, consonants, stress, or intonation!
