Best Practices: How to understand native speakers' questions in English











Native English speakers generally speak fast and eat their words. Moreover, they speak as if they have chewing gum in their mouth.

Here are some examples of words we contract in conversation when we speak too fast. You can hear these words in music, movies, and business meetings:

  • Gonna = going to
  • Wanna = want to
  • Lemme = let me
  • Gimme = give me
  • Donno = don't know
  • Gotta =  must, have to

The challenge is to understand what native speakers say when they speak fast and eat their words.

In the video below, you will hear a short lesson on how to understand native speakers' questions in English.

Listen to how we contract specific words and form questions.



Source: engVid


PRACTICE AND THINK IN ENGLISH

  • When was the last time you heard people who spoke too fast in English? 
  • How did you manage the situation? 
  • What strategies or expressions did you use to help your comprehension?

Tell me by leaving a comment below or in a message by E-mail at kaufman.terry@gmail.com, if you like.

To learn how to leave a comment, please click for instructions in English or click for instructions in French. It is not necessary to have a Google account. After you type your comment, click on the menu, "Comment as" ("choisir une identité") and choose "Name" or "Anonymous".

5 comments:

  1. loving the video this has help me alot.. now a day u just cannot understand this people.. thanx..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Katlego!

      Thank you for commenting on the video and the article. I appreciate it.

      I agree with you. Native English speakers do not often understand how difficult it is for non-native speakers to understand and communicate. And native speakers often speak quickly and they do not articulate.

      Best wishes to you!

      Terry

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  2. I have been learning English for years now..But I am still struggling in comprehending native English. I can understand written English very well but the problem lies with understanding what native speaker says....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand the challenge. I would suggest using http://speechyard.com/us/video/ to train your ears.

      Best wishes to you!

      Delete