Find a pronunciation guide for your target language, ideally in your native language. That allows you to focus on the sounds that are different from what you already know.

Go through all of the sounds your target language has. For any sound that is unfamiliar, create a flashcard.

There are two kinds of flashcards you can make:

• pronunciation flashcards: if you have trouble pronouncing the sound
  • Add the written sound + an example word with the sound on the front
  • On the back, add the correct pronunciation
  • On every review, say it out load first, then compare against correct pronunciation
  • At this stage, just add the flashcards but don’t practice (pronounce) them yet! First you will drill the pronunciations with a tutor or native speaker (see [ACTION] Language parent in the next level). This is to avoid developing a non-native accent.
• minimal pairs: if you have troube distinguising two words that sound different to native speakers but similar to you. For example, for an Italian speaker learning English, peach and pitch might sound the same.
  • On the front, write ‘Do you hear <word 1> or <word 2>?’, and below that add a recording of word 1.
  • On the back, reveal ‘You heard <word 1>’
  • Create a second flashcard where the correct answer is sound 2.

It also helps to add anatomical pictures of the correct mouth and tongue position to produce the sound.

• [ ] 👉 Add a deck with pronunciation and minimal pairs flashcards for all sounds that are new to you in the target language.

Example French:

Pronunciation guide https://lingvist.com/course/learn-french-online/resources/french-pronunciation/

Example flashcards