DAILY TRAINING PROGRAMME MODULES

Here is a detailed overview of the engineering behind the Daily Training Programme.

The course follows a linear progression: we isolate the smallest mechanics of speech and gradually layer complexity, moving from single sounds to full sentences.

Technical Specifications:

  • Total Duration: Approx. 15 Hours

  • Audio Quality: Professional Studio Recording (Rode NT1-A)

  • Formats: 320kbps MP3 & HD FLAC

Phase 1: The Mechanics of Aspiration

Module: Aspiration 01 & 02

Duration: 3 hours

While correctly positioning the articulators is important, achieving native-like pronunciation hinges on mastering aspiration.

What does it mean to aspirate sounds in a native-like manner? It entails adapting the speech mechanisms to maintain a relaxed posture across the various regions of the vocal tract. At first glance, aspiration may seem straightforward, but for many students, it poses the biggest barrier to achieving a native-like accent.

I have developed a dedicated three-hour module solely focused on aspiration.

 

Phase 2: The Building Blocks (Schwa + Consonants)

Level 01: Fundamentals

Duration: 52 minutes

We begin with the absolute basics. In this exercise, we combine various consonant sounds with the schwa sound (/ə/). Just as babies begin with babble before talking, we start by mastering the basic building blocks of speech without the distraction of words or meaning.

This module can be accessed here:
https://courses.receivedpronunciation.com/

Content: 

  • Plosive + schwa
  • Fricative + schwa
  • Affricate + schwa
  • Nasal + schwa
  • Approximant + schwa
  • Cluster sounds containing /r/: prə, brə, trə, drə, krə,  grə, frə, vrə, θrə, ʃrə…
  • Cluster sounds containing /l/: plə, blə, klə, glə, flə, vlə, slə…

Sample:

pə… pə… pə… pə…
pə pə… pə pə… pə pə…
pə pə pə… pə pə pə…
pəpəpə…
bə… bə… bə… bə…
bə bə… bə bə… bə bə…
bə bə bə… bə bə bə…
bəbəbə…

 

Level 02: Combinations

Duration: 2 hrs 27 minutes

Once we are comfortable with the individual sounds, we begin to connect them together. This builds agility in the articulators.

Content:

  • Plosive + schwa combination
  • Fricative + schwa combination
  • Affricate + schwa combination
  • Nasal + schwa combination
  • Approximant + schwa combination
  • **Cluster sound combinations**

Sample:

Workout exercise: plosive combination ①

pə… bə… pə… bə…
pəbə… pəbə… pəbə…
pə… tə… pə… tə…
pətə… pətə… pətə…
pə… də… pə… də…
pədə… pədə… pədə…
pə… kə… pə… kə…
pəkə… pəkə… pəkə…

Phase 03: The Vowels

Level 03: Monophthongs

Duration: 1 hr 31 minutes

We move to the core vowels of Received Pronunciation, focusing on the distinct shaping required for Central, Back, and Front vowels.

Content:

  • Central vowels: /ə/, /ɪ/, /ʌ/, /ʊ/
  • Back vowels: /uː/, /ɔː/, /ɑː/*
  • Front vowels: /iː/, /ɛ/, /æ/*

Sample:

Workout exercise: back vowels ⑰

pɒt… pɒt… pɒt…
bɒt… bɒg… bɒt…
tɒp… tɒp… tɒp…
dɒt… dɒg… dɒt…
kɒt… kɒn… kɒd…
gɒt… gɒʃ… gɒn…

Level 04: Diphthongs

Duration: 50 minutes

Content:

  • Diphthong vowel /əʊ/
  • Diphthong vowel /aʊ/
  • Diphthong vowel /ʊə/
  • Diphthong vowel /eɪ/
  • Diphthong vowel /eə/
  • Diphthong vowel /aɪ/
  • Diphthong vowel /ɔɪ/*
  • Diphthong vowel /ɪə/*

Phase 4: Connecting Speech

Level 05: Connecting Sounds

Duration: 5 minutes

Introduction to the fluidity of connected speech.

Level 06: Common Words & Combinations

Duration: 1 hr 07 minutes

Applying the sounds to high-frequency vocabulary.

Level 08: Phrases & Sentence Structure

Duration: 18 minutes

Moving from single words to short bursts of speech.

Sample: I do… I do my best every day.

Level 09: Rhythm & Flow

Duration: 53 minutes

Advanced phrasing drills.

Sample: I… do… my best, my best… every day, every day… I do my best every day…

Phase 5: Advanced Application

Level 10: Demonstrative Pronouns

Duration: 3 hours

A deep dive into the most commonly used function words in the English language.

Sample: this… is… this is… a… this is a…

Level 11: Indicative Phrases

Duration: 32 minutes

Sample: I am… the… I am the…

Level 12: Complex Clusters

Duration: 1 hour

Combining clusters with long vowels and diphthongs for maximum articulatory agility.

Content:

  • Plosive cluster + diphthong

  • /θr/ + diphthong (e.g., “Throw”)

  • /ʃr/ + long vowel (e.g., “Shrewd”)

  • /kw/ + diphthong (e.g., “Quite”)

Level 13: Sentence Drills

Duration: 8 minutes

Putting complex clusters into context.

 

Sample: Practise playing the piano.

Level 14: Common English Phrases

Duration: 11 minutes

Final polish using standard idiomatic expressions.

 

Examples:

by the way… in the meantime… as far as I know…

Level 00: Aspiration Exercises – 10 minutes 

Level 01: Consonant + schwa, clusters sounds, light /l/ – 52 minutes

Level 02: Consonant + schwa combination, cluster sound combination – 68 minutes

Level 03: Central, front & back vowels – 57 minutes

Level 04: Diphthong vowels – 50 minutes

Level 05: Connecting sounds – 5 minutes

Level 06: Common words, word combinations – 67 minutes

Level 07 – 2 minutes

Level 08: Two word combinations & phrases – 19 minutes

Level 09: Word combinations & phrases – 53 minutes

Level 10: Demonstrative pronouns – 115 minutes

Level 11: Indicative – 32 minutes

Level 12: Cluster sound combinations – 15 minutes

Level 13: Sentences with cluster sounds – 6 minutes

Level 14: Common phrases

Current total length: approx 8 hrs