Speak English Professionally: -ed and -s endings

VOICED & VOICELESS
Sounds with vocal chord vibration are voiced and sounds without vocal chord vibration are voiceless.

Contrast the sounds of the letters v and f. Place your fingers on your throat and make the sounds. You should feel a vibration when you make the v sound and no vibration when you make the f sound. V is voiced and f is voiceless.

• The Voiced Sounds in English

b d g j l m n ŋ(ng) r v z ð(th in the) and all vowels

• The Voiceless Sounds in English

ch f h k p s sh t θ(th in think)

Ref: eflnet.com



-ED ENDINGS

• /id/ after /t/ or /d/

invited
educated
waited
landed
handed
located
predicted

• /t/ after voiceless sounds

laughed
locked
looked
finished
crashed
picked
embarrassed

• /d/ after voiced sounds

worried
called
turned
prepared
rearranged
played

-S ENDINGS

• /s/ after voiceless sounds (except /s/, /ʃ/, /ʧ/)

compliments
hopes
meets
laughs
months
writes
parents

• /z/ after voiced sounds (except /z/, /ʒ/, /ʤ/)

clothes  (th - ð)
magazines
saves
feels
drives
friends
feathers

• /iz/ 

raises
horses
finishes
changes
rises
taxes
washes
dishes
kisses


Source: 

• Coursera 
• Coursera

Speak English Professionally: Group Discussion Language (agree/disagree, clarify, interrupt/take a turn, include others)

Ways to agree:

• Yes, I agree.
• It looks good to me.
• I think so, too.
• I definitely agree.

Ways to disagree:
We want show different levels of disagreement (positive, little or very serious).

• I'm afraid I don't agree.
• I'm sorry, but I don't agree.
• That's interesting. But I'd prefer something different.
• Actually, I disagree. 

Ways to clarify info:
Sometimes you missed the info or you didn't really understand or didn't hear clearly... So you can ask to clarify the information.

• Excuse me, I didn't hear that. Could you say it again?
• Sorry, I missed what you just said. Could you repeat that please?
• I'm sorry, could you explain that again?
• Excuse me, could you tell me what that means?

Ways to take a turn/interrupt:

• Excuse me. Can I say something here?
• Could I interrupt you for a minute?
• Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to say something here.

 Ways to include others:

• So what do you think?
• Can you give me your thoughts on this?
• Do you agree?
• What's your opinion?

Recap:
We can mix these above languages and use it for your better group discussions.

Reference: Cousera

Speak English Professionally: Pronuncation

STRESS

Word stress: 

• Every word has stress on a syllable.
• Pronounce louder, longer on the stressed syllable.

Examples:

1. pronounce (/prəˈnaʊns/)
2. answer (/ˈænsɚ/ )
3. mirror (/ˈmirɚ/)
4. confused (/kənˈfjuːzd/)
5. piano (/piˈænoʊ/)
6. finally (/ˈfaɪnl̟i/)
7. garbage (/ˈgɑɚbɪʤ/)
8. personality (/ˌpɚsəˈnæləti/)
9. relationship (/rɪˈleɪʃənˌʃɪp/)
10. Japanese (/ˌʤæpəˈniːz/)
11. computer (/kəmˈpjuːtɚ/)
12. technique (/tɛkˈniːk/)
13. refrigerator (/rɪˈfrɪʤəˌreɪtɚ/)
14. attention (/əˈtɛnʃən/)
15. unfortunately (/ˌʌnˈfoɚtʃənətli/)

Sentence stress:

• Stress (louder, longer, higher) on content words (words build the meaning for sentence): verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, Wh-words, negative words (no, can't, not).
• Do not stress "structure" words (softer, shorter, lower): prepositions, pronouns, articles, modals, auxiliaries (can, should, have, be).

Examples:

1. Can I borrow a pen? (2 beats)
2. I’m going to the bank. (2 beats)
3. Tell her I’ll be late. (2 beats)
4. Let’s go to a movie. (3 beats)
5. The pizza party is today. (3 beats)
6. Thanks for the birthday gift. (3 beats)
7. John studied for hours. (3 beats)
8. John studied four hours. (4 beats)
9. The key to the door is there. (3 beats)
10. I’m leaving on Monday for my country. (3 beats)

INTONATION (Ngữ điệu, rhythm)

• Rises in Yes-No questions. Rises on the last word of the question.

Are you going to take a trip next year?
Is your friend going to drive with us?
Will the homework assignment take a lot of time?
Can the consulate help you with your visa problem?
Could you please give me your cell phone number?
Would you like a piece of pie?
Have you paid your rent this month?
Will you be able to go to the game with us?
Do you have any plans for the weekend?

• Rises and fall in statements and Wh-questions 

I’m planning a vacation in Florida.
My friend is going to drive to New York with us.
The homework assignment won’t take much time.
The weather in my country is hot and humid.
My family hasn’t done much traveling.
Why do you want my phone number?
Where should I go for help with my visa problem?
What kind of desserts do you have?
Who are you going to the football game with?
When do you have to pay your rent?
How much will I pay for a good used car?




Reference: Coursera