Learning English is Fun and Easy!

Most educated people other than native English speakers know how to speak English. But is it pronounced in the proper way with the right accent? For people where English is scarcely used around their country especially in China, Japan, Taiwan, Russia , Korea, and Middle East countries, it is very hard to obtain English proficiency because they grew up with their own native language. Hence, people tried to study further and took up English language course at specialized ESL school since English is the only international language used. Here are some helpful tips for people learning English as second language. 

S is pronounced as Z if it is in between 2 vowel letters:
THESE or THOSE                        RESIGN
GOOSE or GEESE                       DESIGN
CLOSE                                      CLOSURE
LEASE                                       LOSE  
PLEASE                                     PLEASURE
MEASURE                                   VISUAL

Even with names like:
Reese                  Rose
Isaiah                  Asia
Desiree               Daisy

But in most cases S remained as S if it is the first letter of the word, preceded by another S, or followed by another consonant letter:
SECOND                MISSING                MISTY                             
SYSTEM                 PASSING               FASTING
SOLUTION             LESSEN                 CASTLE
SOMETHING           MISSISSIPPI            WHISTLE

C pronounced as S:
Lace               Face                  Grace
Mice              Lice                    Rice
License          Incense               Absence
Cigarette       Cinnamon            Cedar


Special case where X is pronounced as Z with G (GZ sound) if it is in between 2 vowel letters:
EXAM - [EG-ZAM]                                  EXAMPLE - [EG-ZAM-PUL]
EXIST -  [EG-ZIST]                                 EXISTING - [EG-ZIS-TING]
EXAGGERATE - [EG-ZA-JU-REYT]              EXECUTE - [EG-ZE-KYUT]
EXOTIC - [EG-ZO-TIK]                            EXERT - [EG-ZIRT] 
EXECUTIVE - [EG-ZE-KYU-TIV]                  EXILE - [EG-ZAYL]


But for words with XC it is pronounced as EKS such as:
EXCELLENT - [EK-SE-LENT]                     EXCELLENCY      
EXCEED - [EK-SEED]                              EXCEEDED
EXCESS - [EK-SES]                                 EXCESSIVE
EXCITE - [EK-SAYT]                                EXCITEMENT

Letter T is pronounced as D:
WATER - [WO-DUR]                                    MATTER - [MA-DUR]
METER - [MEE-DUR]                                    BETTER - [BE-DUR]
NATIVE - [NEY-DIV]                                    BATTERY - [BA-DU-REE] 
RESPONSIBILITY - [RE-SPöN-SI-BI-LI-DI]         LOTTERY - [Lö-DU-REE]
ABILITY - [A-BI-LI-DI]

Differentiating the A, AA, EY, and U sound: 
SAM                SOME                    SAME                  SUM
BACK              BOND                    BADE                  BUD
BANK              BLONDE                 BLADE                GUN 
LAND              COME                    CAME                 CUM
BAND              GONE                   GAME                 SUN
RAN                BLOOD                  FAME                 RUN
THAN              DONE                    LAME                 FUN
FAN                 FOND                   PANE                  SUN
GAS                TON                     TAME                  BUN
FAST               PALM                   PALE                   STUD
PASS              CALM                    MAKE                   MUD
  
Words with the same spelling but different pronunciation or meaning:
Resume - [re'zoom] - to assume or take again
Resume - [re-zu-mey] - curriculum vitae 

Record - [ri'körd] - to furnish written evidence
Record - [rekörd'] - a state or fact of being recorded

Lie - [lay] - rest or recline
Lie - [lay] - make untrue or false statement

Content - [KöN-tent] - substantive part
Content - [kön-TENT] - satisfied

Desert - [DES-sert] - arid region
Desert - [des-SERT] - to leave

Minute - [MIN-it] - sixty seconds
Minute - [may-NYUT] - tiny or very small

There are so many words to learn other than these words. There is so much fun in learning the English language and it is easy once you practice and use it everyday. One effective way of learning it fast is through reading an English book aloud while facing a mirror. Try also watching American movies and carefully examine the movement of their mouth as they speak.