How to Learn the Pronunciation of New English Words

Guide · Updated 2026-10-22

In English, spelling is a poor guide to sound: think of "though", "through" and "tough". The reliable way is to hear every new word the first time you meet it, repeat it out loud, and hear it again when you review it.

A simple routine

1. Listen first. Hear the word before you try to say it, so you don't fix a wrong version in your memory.
2. Repeat out loud. Copy the rhythm and the stressed syllable, not only the letters.
3. Listen again later. When the word comes back, check that you still say it right.

Common traps

• Silent letters: KNIFE, LAMB, ISLAND.
• The same letters with different sounds: BREAD and BEAD.
• Stress that changes the sound: BANANA, GIRAFFE, VOLCANO.

How Word Search: Learning English helps

• Every one of the ~2,270 words has a recorded pronunciation.
• You hear the word the moment you find it in the grid.
• Tap any sticker to replay it as many times as you need.
• Words come back in later levels, so you hear them again when you review.