Today we're training a subtle yet powerful English  pronunciation contrast. The difference between /v/ and /w/. If your goal is clarity when speaking  English, then subtle sound accuracy has value.

So today our focus is on ear training because  you cannot consistently produce a contrast if you can't reliably hear it. So let's begin. First  the V sound is /v/. It's a voiced fricative. Your top teeth gently touch your bottom lip. /v/. Your  voice is on which means you're creating sound in the larynx that you will feel as vibration if  you place your hand gently on your throat. /v/.

Make the sound with me. /v/. You  should feel the tickle on your lip as well. Now try making the sound and  then moving the sound into a word like: value. Do it with me: value. Now  this word: version. Again: Version.

Vote. Vote. Wonderful. The other sound, the W sound  is /w/. Your lips are round. They do not touch your teeth. Woo. Sound it with me. /w/. Now  try moving this sound into a word: world.

West. Work.

Work. The great thing about working on this  contrast between /v/ and /w/ is that the difference is so clear physically, which is  why I recommend that you practice in front of a mirror so you can see what's happening. But  when you're going about your daily business, you have to rely on hearing the difference. So  let's work on your ears now. So I'm going to repeat a word for you. One version will be correct  and one version will be a mispronunciation. Your task is to identify which of the pair is the  accurate one. I'll repeat it three times.

...(Take the listening test). Which  one is correct number one or number two number one value with a /v/ my teeth  touching my bottom lip /v/. I'll give it you with the visuals now. Value, walue.  So you could see the difference too. Now listen to that word in context do  I pronounce it correctly this time: "We need to increase the _____ of this proposal.  We need to increase the _____ of this proposal.

Did you hear a mispronunciation? You did yes. I  mispronounced the word value. I said we need to increase the walue of this proposal. The correct  version is we need to increase the value of this proposal. Here's another pair. Listen carefully  for the correct version. (Take the listening test). Which one's correct? Number one. Again,  evaluate with a /v/. Listen carefully to see if I mispronounce it in context. "Before we decide,  we need to ________ the risks. Before we decide, we need to ________ the risks. Was that correct?  It wasn't correct. I did mispronounce evaluate as ewaluate. The correct version  is we need to evaluate the risks.

So here are two different words. Now listen  carefully to see if you can figure out what words they are. (Take the listening test). Okay. Which one of those refers to direction?

Number one, west with a /w/ rounded lips. Now  in context, do I make a pronunciation error?

"Our strategy focuses on the __________ market.  Our strategy focuses on the __________ market.

Did you hear an error? No, not this time. I  pronounced western with a perfect /w/. Our strategy focuses on the western market.  Let's increase the difficulty. I will say one word only. You decide which one  you heard. (Listen) Did you hear this or this? That's right. You heard vine as in  the grape vine. This word is wine. Wine.

Listen carefully to see if you can spot any  errors. We need to review the latest version.

Was that correct? No, it was incorrect. I  said we need to review the latest version.

I should have said we need to review the  latest version. Version with a V. Okay, now this one. Is it correct? Our company  operates worldwide. Was that correct? Yes, that was correct. I said worldwide with two  nicely produced /w/ sounds. Now a slightly longer sentence. Listen carefully and count all  the errors. "As we evolve as an organisation, we must constantly evaluate our value and  refine each new version of our strategy." How many did you hear? There were  three. Evaluate should have been evaluate. Value should have been value.  And version should have been version. Now let me say it correctly. As we evolve as an  organisation, we must constantly evaluate our value and refine each new version of our  strategy. Okay, let's do some repetition.

Please repeat these words out loud after me.  Value, world, version, work, vote, west, evaluate, worldwide, vast wine. again. Value world version  work vote west evaluate worldwide vast wine.

Did you feel the difference between teeth and  lips for /v/ and rounded lips for /w/? Now, final listening challenge. Write down what  you hear. (Listen and write what you hear).

And you can check your answers here. How  did you do? If you hesitated on any of them, then don't worry. It's useful to know. It  highlights weaknesses that you can then work on. There's no need to feel embarrassed  or frustrated or annoyed. Learning where your weaknesses lie is empowering. To further support  you with your ear training, I've made an audio for you to download for offline distraction-free ear  training on these particular sounds. The link for your download is in the description. But before  you go, here's your homework. Record yourself a video of yourself saying, "We evaluated the  value of the Western Division's latest version." Then listen back with your eyes closed. Are  your /v/ and/w/ clearly distinct or do they blur together? Then listen again and this time  look at your lips. Do they move to the right positions for the /v/ and the sounds? Clear  pronunciation reduces friction, allowing your listener to really focus on what matters, your  ideas, and what you're trying to communicate. If this lesson was helpful to you, then make sure  that you grab your audio download for further practice. And be sure to come back for more  learning. Until next time, take care and goodbye.