Dear language learners,

Welcome to the French Pronunciation Training Module. Here, you will be working on vowel backness. You will have an opportunity to see the contrast between words containing /i/, /y/, and /u/.

For a better understanding, open this IPA vowel chart in a separate browser to observe the correct height and backness: https://enunciate.arts.ubc.ca/linguistics/world-sounds/vowels/

Each module has the following for each word:

• Video of a native speaker pronouncing a word
• A freeze frame which allows you to observe and replicate the tongue position
• The word written French
• The word written in IPA
• The word written in English
• An image for visual cues

The modules will start with the vowel the frontmost vowel, followed by vowels that extend further back in order. Therefore, your first module will be /i/, followed by /y/, and concluded by /u/. All of these vowels are high vowels.

Please begin by watching the video at the bottom of this page for some information on basics of pronunciation.