The Secret To English Fluency? REMOVE Your TONGUE

Sounds painful, or uncomfortable, but getting rid of your tongue is going to help you sound more natural in American English. And at the end of the video, we’re even going to show you a technique that no other pronunciation channel really discusses. Oh, don’t worry, you don’t have to use these but at least try to keep your tongue out of the way.
Otherwise, your tongue blocks your breath. Every time you raise it to pronounce a T, or a D, or a Z, or a S, or a N, or a L….wait, those are a lot of sounds you were taught to say with your tongue high.
And you were taught this because, it’s possible. You can pronounce English sounds with your tongue up here. But, what tends to happen is these higher positions can also raise your placement. It’s like the difference between “pain” and “pain”-that second one sounds tighter, with less air flow, and projects sound up here. How do you fix this? I’ll tell you, but first more about the problem.
The problem with so many of these consonant sounds is that we can easily go back to our first language. Your first language probably has a T, or a D, or a Z, or a S, or a N...(ok, I got lazy editing and just stole that from earlier). And it sounds similar in both languages, right! But similar doesn’t mean the same.
T/D/Z/N (first time high placement, second time low placement)
And when your consonant uses a high placement, it can make entire words have a high placement.
Pain/days/sale
I know, you still want the solution and the secret technique, and we’re about to find out what they are. But first, see if you can hear a difference.
Pain/pain days sale
Could you hear a difference? Both are understandable, but that second has more breath and much lower placement.
How’d I do it? Well, here is the big secret. I got my tongue out of the way.
There are a couple of techniques for this.
The first is to use the mid-front of your tongue to pronounce sounds against your top teeth-not the very tip. The tip of your tongue actually presses your bottom front tooth down here.
T / tight N/nine Z/zoos (read twice, high then low)
The second strategy goes a bit further-limit the contact with your teeth completely. If that’s hard, curl the tip of your tongue down so it presses against the bottom of your mouth. I’ll show you-notice that the sound is going to become more muffled and softer. That means this will be especially great for reductions and quick phrases.
T / tight N/nine Z/zoos
#fluentamerican #americanenglish #pronunciation
And third, you can use….just kidding. This video does not condone the use of applying scissors to any body part
Warning: from this point on in the video, the tip of my tongue will never touch my top tooth. See if you can repeat what I say with your tongue down
Six friends / too little / bath soap / number one / regularly late/ didn’t investigate
There’s too little bath soap left
The detective didn’t investigate the six friends
The number one problem is I’m regularly late
But what about the secret technique? I’ve really put it here because I’m nervous. I know that this will go against…everything you have heard from other American English teachers online, but having these lower tongue positions also makes it possible to say these sentences… with your mouth mostly closed.
There’s too little bath soap left
The detective didn’t investigate the six friends
The number one problem is I’m regularly late
Try for yourself and let me know if it’s hard! There’s actually a trick to make this easier Focus less on the consonants in these words and more on the vowels. Not sure how? Try this video.
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JOIN our channel to get access to our Pronunciation Group on Telegram, where you receive feedback and suggestions for YOUR pronunciation every day. See what it is like here: • How to Improve America...
Who am I? My name is Geoff Anderson. I got my MA in Teaching English as a Second Language in 2012, and have been teaching since 2010. I've studied Italian to around level C1-C2. I was also an IELTS examiner for the speaking/writing tests for 3 years.
Want to know what classes with me are like? Check out our Mission: English program, where we do livestreams that YOU can join Monday through Friday! It'd be great to do pronunciation exercises with you, answer your American English accent questions, and improve together in our supportive community; see what a Mission: English class is like here: • FREE Previews Of Our P...

[@FluentAmerican]

Why you're saying "pain" wrong! kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5Obp42PfduWoLs

[@darkknightwater]

How do you link "bath" and "s" smoothly as you do in the video? I guess linking "th" and "s" is in general not easy :(

[@FluentAmerican]

@@darkknightwater Hi! One technique that may help is this, where the tip of the tongue touches the top teeth kzbin.info/www/bejne/i523k6B3j9Glo6c Of course, it is also possible to make this sound with the tongue down

[@tonyccchan]

You are teaching people the essence of American accent! Not too many people realized this, and they are wasting time on other non-essential techniques. You are an outstanding teacher!

[@FluentAmerican]

super kind words Tony! Thanks so much for writing and I hope the content has been helpful! How did you find us?

[@johnconor5485]

Tony you know whats up

[@meiliu1020]

Your channel is absolutely a gem! Definitely underrated.

[@FluentAmerican]

Appreciate that! Hopefully you're finding the videos as engaging as informative!

[@maryelcoaching]

Very interesting, Geoff! I always give this advice for the vowels because I've noticed a tendency for some people to close the vowels by keeping their tongue high in the back, but never noticed it for the consonants. Cool observations!

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks as always Mary! I'm working on finding a French teacher for us still; I haven't forgotten!

[@nikmohamed5906]

HONESTLY IT'S MIND BLOWING so much difference it made!! my childhood language is chinese and that accent carried over to very tense cheek muscle, and overly-active tongue tip which is totally opposite of American English accent

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks so much for sharing this with me! so glad it made a difference for you!

[@user-fm5eh1fi5z]

it's crazy how different english is from other languages when it comes to pronunciation

[@FluentAmerican]

it really handles things in some unique ways; I would say that British English has a few more similarities with other languages when it comes to placement and things compared to American English

[@Kiolp401]

Sensei... With your help I understand techniques that in the moment, I couldn't imagine

[@FluentAmerican]

haha thanks so much Unknown! This is quite the profound statement; I appreciate it

[@duykhanhhuynh303]

Should I curl my tongue down (tip of my tougue press against the bottom of my mouth and the middle front of my tongue raise against the drige) or should I let the tip of my tongue and the middle front of my tongue down against the bottom of my mouth when applying this technique in speaking every English words?

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks for watching and writing I think either of these options can work for a variety of sounds--the key will be experimenting, recording yourself, and comparing to how native speakers sound. The beauty and frustration is there are so many possibilities!

[@johnconor5485]

This video is exactly what I have been looking for. This is diamond. I have a few questions if you don't mind me asking. 1. So it's ideal that I don't touch even my bottom teeth with my tongue tip, right? if that's hard to do. I can touch the bottom of the mouth where the bottom gums are located with the tip right? 2. How do we pronounce "th" with the tongue tip down behind the bottom gums tho? for "th" do we need to slide the tip out a little over the top of the bottom teeth? or do we use the front-middle part of the tongue? like push the front-middle part against the upper teeth or bottom teeth? 3. what about "l" sound can you still have the tip right behind the bottom gums? or do we at least need to lift the tip a little up probably touch the bottom teeth to make the sound? or do we just push the front-middle part against the bottom teeth and have the back of the tongue raised? 4. How do you make Stop T/D sound then? 5. Do you use the glottal T/D? I am wondering about it because I have noticed your videos don't really talk about the glottal T/D. 6. How do you make F sound then? Do you still have the tongue top-down and bite the bottom lip lightly with your upper teeth? Thank you

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks so much John! 1) I'd consider this more about possibilities/exercises than something to apply 100% of the time all the time. There are many situations, especially reduced phrases, where this can help link things together 2) try this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV7We3Sva5lshcU 3) for the L, many of the positions you describe work fine--just keep the breath flowing and placement low enough 4) there's a section towards the middle of the video that discusses held sounds: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHPQZ6WwbpiqiMk Honestly, tongue position is not important when it comes to held sounds 5) in general, American English uses more of a held/stop sound than a glottal sound in many situations as a glottal tends to be pretty firm, though it is possible to do it 6) F is more about having a little contact with your top tooth and bottom lip--make sure it isn't too firm ("biting" is a bit too harsh). The tongue can be down again

[@johnconor5485]

@@FluentAmerican Thank you so much for your reply Geoff, Regarding this " I'd consider this more about possibilities/exercises than something to apply 100% of the time all the time. " what do you mean by that? I thought you wanted us to have the tongue tip down for any sounds. Do you mean we mix everything up like sometimes we have the tip down behind the bottom teeth and sometimes we have it behind the gums not touching anything and sometimes we bring the tip up toward the roof of the mouth? Another question regarding Stop T and D. To do the stop T/D, do you lift up the front middle part of the tongue to the ridge while having the tongue tip down behind the gums?

[@FluentAmerican]

hi! what I mean is that, while it's possible to have the tongue down for any sound, that doesn't mean native speakers will always do it. Think of it more as a possibility and a good tool to practice/get used to than something to do every time, all the time For stop sounds, you can move the tongue higher, but it isn't necessary to

[@hackinwithlihas]

i can't find this million dollar tip in millions subscribed channel💛

[@FluentAmerican]

I agree; it really is a game changer! how'd you find the video?

[@hackinwithlihas]

@@FluentAmerican previously I was stuttering while saying the fast American phrases when I use the tip of the tongue.... And I was just trying to figure out why?? But your tip to use the lower portion of the tongue really helped me... Like in the first go i was able to say the fast phrases without stuttering

[@FluentAmerican]

oh wow that's a fast adjustment! so great to hear

[@SycAamore]

Nice one, and perfect timing as I had a question the other day about keeping the tongue down when speaking🙂 I think I can make all the sentences that you said with my tongue down. However, when R appears, I struggle to keep it down, for example in the phrase 'six friends'. I thought the tongue should curl up for the R, otherwise, it would sound more like the British R, something I want to avoid. Can you really make the R with the tip of the tongue pressed against the bottom teeth?

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks Sycamore! funny how the timing can work out Yep, the tongue can either curl up or down; try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bobNe4OnmbyIgJo

[@SycAamore]

@@FluentAmerican Thanks, will check this video!

[@FluentAmerican]

@@SycAamore of course!

[@SeriousSam-wd4wj]

Thanks for the video. I am happy i found it. Till that time i couldn’t firmly decide what position of tongue to use. In my work i used to do it either way. i was struggling the issue that every damn tutorial teaching to lift the tip of the tongue up. And i never felt to use it comfortably. I feel comfortable to keep it down but i was always thinking that it was just wrong…before i had found this video. I have a quick question- you think the letter S can be also pronounced with the down tooth position?

[@FluentAmerican]

hey again Sam; thanks once more! I think there is so much flexibility when it comes to mouth/tongue position--largely because the sound has already been formed by breath and placement by the time it reaches the mouth. I think all consonants can be pronounced with a lower tongue position honestly: this video may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHPQZ6WwbpiqiMk

[@ParasVerma-nd9qf]

I experience discomfort while speaking, especially with words that include the 'd', 'th', 't' sound, as my tongue hurts. I feel like my tongue is solely responsible for speaking. Could you suggest some exercises to correct this problem?

[@FluentAmerican]

hi, sorry to hear about this. It could be that the consonants are getting too much emphasis; shifting the emphasis onto vowel sounds may help. This video explores it more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHPQZ6WwbpiqiMk

[@gtiradob]

This result was very stressful for me. I finished this video very tired. But I will try to practice more.

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks for writing! do you think it's because the position felt very unnatural or uncomfortable for you?

[@gtiradob]

I felt both unnatural and uncomfortable.

[@FluentAmerican]

@@gtiradob gotcha! without hearing you specifically it's hard to know if the adjustments are good or causing issues. That said, moving towards what feels less natural and comfortable is often required to make more radical change

[@johnconor5485]

I have a few questions regarding this technique. You mentioned that we can arch up the front middle part of the tongue, with the tongue tip down behind the gum area below the lower bottom teeth. You also suggested that the tongue tip doesn't even need to touch anything. Does this mean that the tongue should still be curled up with the tip down behind the gum area? Is it normal to feel a bit of tension in the tongue when doing so? Also even when making T D L sounds, do you still suggest we don't need to even touch the ridge with the middle front part of the tongue?

[@FluentAmerican]

hey again John! good questions as always "Does this mean that the tongue should still be curled up with the tip down behind the gum area?" Yep (I would personally say the tip of the tongue curls down behind the bottom front tooth, towards the gum) "Is it normal to feel a bit of tension in the tongue when doing so?" I would try to have the tongue as relaxed as possible. Very slight tension is ok, but it isn't necessary to press down with too much force "Also even when making T D L sounds, do you still suggest we don't need to even touch the ridge with the middle front part of the tongue?" yep, contact is not necessary (of course, you can still achieve a natural sound if the tongue goes high though)

[@johnconor5485]

@@FluentAmerican Geoff thank you so much for the answers. This is sensational. you are the best

[@FluentAmerican]

Thanks so much@@johnconor5485 ! Just trying my best

[@johnconor5485]

Hi, It seems like the front middle part of my tongue isn't long enough to reach it (maybe I should use a part that is a little closer to the very front?). Should I close my mouth more? Also, how much tension should I feel when making sounds with the middle part of my tongue? have read some studies suggesting that there is lateral bracing, where the sides of the tongue press against the upper teeth. This implies that there is a certain level of lateral exertion when speaking English Also, where exactly is the ridge that we want to touch with the front middle part of the tongue? Doesn't it matter as long as it touches somewhere right behind the upper front teeth? I have really wanted to find the right spot. Please help. Thanks!

[@FluentAmerican]

as a preface, please note that there isn't just one single possibility here when it comes to mouth/tongue positions experimenting will be key--it's possible to produce most sounds with a wide mouth; it's also possible to produce many of them with a closed mouth, so try both and see what works best re: "lateral bracing", there are some vowels like the short i (sit, give) where that can be helpful when I reference the ridge, I'm intending the alveolar ridge behind the top front teeth Hope this helps!

[@saintmg]

This tutorial is really good, however, we should only use the technique if it isn't destroying our pronunciation and speaking clarity. We need to use this technique to be efficient without sounding unnatural or holding back our tongue.

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks for writing! it depends on goals speaking for clarity is often different than speaking naturally

[@saintmg]

@@FluentAmerican do you have tutorial on how to speak with clarity?

[@FluentAmerican]

I don't as the focus on the channel is less on clarity and more on natural speech found in conversation. I think most other pronunciation will have lessons on clarity if that's more of your interest

[@saintmg]

@@FluentAmerican thank you. Btw, my pronunciation and technique improved alot by using your methods but I did not apply it when it's harder to pronounce like using R and L.

[@FluentAmerican]

Thanks for sharing your experiences; I'm so glad they've been able to help and that you've also found other solutions that work for your situation!

[@newgenstreamlabs]

Is there a different link or a tip you can give that can help me get better with saying words that use these techniques that start or end with TH (like THere, THen, oTHer, wiTH, etc…) and also words that start or end with D? I also struggle with saying regularly, detective, and little when using this technique

[@FluentAmerican]

Thanks for asking! This may help with th kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV7We3Sva5lshcU

[@newgenstreamlabs]

@@FluentAmericanWowww I see a major difference already even tho I was born in Canada. I still struggle saying words that involve D, R and Ls, example using this technique: I pronounce little as withle, or regularly as weguwewee or difference as thifference. Is there a tip or separate link for that as well? Much appreciated Update: Found your other videos via search, there’s very minimal tongue movement when pronouncing letters like Rs and Ds, my mistake was not moving it earlier, in a way it’s given me a deeper voice

[@FluentAmerican]

oh wow, this is all great to hear! keep experimenting!

[@johnconor5485]

so which way is better? the tip not touching anything just resting behind the bottom gum or curly it and press it against the bottom gum? Thank you :)

[@FluentAmerican]

yes! the reality is that either of those positions you describe can work

[@johnconor5485]

When you say "the bottom of the mouth" when talking about the tip placement, where exactly is it?

[@FluentAmerican]

either very bottom of the mouth or below the bottom front tooth

[@MvsicAdd7ct]

I'm trying to say "regularly" and I struggle. I end up saying smth like legurarly and I'm not even East Asian 😂

[@FluentAmerican]

Hi thanks for writing and watching! This ~2-minute video takes a look at words like "girl" and "world"--some of the techniques might be helpful kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXzHnZinhdKhiM0

[@MvsicAdd7ct]

@@FluentAmerican Ohh thank you, Geoff! You're really helpful! 😊

[@FluentAmerican]

@@MvsicAdd7ct thank YOU for the kind words!

[@JohnThomas-ow9jg]

What about the sounds like L that the tip of your tongue has to touch just behind the top front teeth, so it almost touches the top front teeth?

[@FluentAmerican]

it can go down! try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoiVo2B7aM16rck

[@JohnThomas-ow9jg]

@FluentAmerican Yes. But it's for the dark L. By the way, the video you put the link is amazing. I had difficulty pronouncing the dark L. Now that I pronounce the dark L breathier it sounds a lot more like a native English speaker. You're a genius.

[@MyFiles-xg3lb]

So what’s used my Native American speakers? High placement or low placement. It’s not clear from the video

[@FluentAmerican]

hi there! In general, you'll find native speakers use a lower placement

[@user-nj8dg3fh1s]

Thanks

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks Ryan! How'd you find the channel?

[@ranamustafa7838]

This is brelient !!!

[@FluentAmerican]

eyy there she is! Thanks Rana; how's life up north?

[@olivierauberger]

Remarkable.

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks so much! how'd you find the video!

[@olivierauberger]

@@FluentAmerican I searched for accent reduction on KZbin.

[@FluentAmerican]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@fayewu7505]

Great

[@FluentAmerican]

thanks as always!

[@nickuvarov]

That doesn't help. I still sound foreign. Even without moving my tongue, moaning, i sound foreign

[@FluentAmerican]

Where's your placement? What's your breath doing?

[@adscri]

If you don’t move your mouth you end up mumbling. Never good!

[@FluentAmerican]

Thanks for writing. If not moving your lips by itself is causing mumbling, you may be having other issues occuring (e.g., pitch or other aspects of contrast)