English learners can improve their pronunciation skills with training exercises used by singers. A smartphone with a camera can help, too.
英语学习者可以通过歌手常用的训练方法来提高自己的发音技巧。带相机的智能手机也有这样的帮助作用哦。
These suggestions come from Michael Berman. He works in the Reading, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Linguistics Department at Montgomery College in the American state of Maryland.
这些建议来自迈克尔·伯曼，他在美国马里兰州蒙哥马利学院阅读、英语第二语言和语言学系工作。
Many students of a foreign language have trouble with word stress and intonation – raising and lowering the sound of your voice when you speak.
很多外语种学生在单词重音和语调方面存在学习难题，也就是对人们说话时的声音的升高和降低把握不准。
Michael Berman believes that such problems are not as serious as some people might think. Up to a third of his students, he says, have increased their ability to be understood by using two simple actions: slowing down and speaking up.
伯曼认为，这类问题没有想象得那么严重。他说，他有三分之一的学生通过两种简单途径就能提升他们被人理解的能力，这就是说慢点和说大声点。
Common problem:
常见问题：
VOA Learning English"s video series Let"s Learn English tells about a situation that many English learners have probably experienced:
美国之音英语学习视频系列 Let"s Learn English谈到了许多英语学习者可能经历过的一种情况：
Anna: So, what"s wrong? You look sad.
安娜：怎么啦？你看上去不太高兴啊。
Pete: I don"t have a job.
皮特：我没有工作。
Anna: Sorry, I can"t hear you.
安娜：抱歉，我没听清楚。
Pete: I do not have a job.
皮特：我没有工作。
In the video, Anna asks Pete to repeat his sentence because she did not understand him.
在视频中，安娜让皮特再说一次，因为她没听懂。
And like many English learners, pronouncing words correctly is not Pete"s problem.
和许多英语学习者一样，正确发音不是皮特遇到的问题。
The reason Anna does not understand Pete is because he is not speaking loudly.
安娜没听懂的原因是皮特声音太小。
In Pete"s case, he is not raising his voice because he is sad about not having a job.
对皮特来说，他声音小是因为他对自己没有工作很难过。
For some English learners, the problem of speaking softly is that the speaker appears to be showing weakness, says Berman. English learners may want to hide their mistakes by speaking quickly or softly. Or, Berman adds, they are bringing customs from their native language.
伯曼表示，对于一些英语学习者来说，轻声说话是说话者似乎有点紧张。英语学习者可能想通过说快点或说小声点来掩饰他们的错误，或者他们带来了自己母语的习惯。
Whatever the reason, the result is this: English learners might not be understandable to a native speaker.
无论是什么原因，结果是，英语学习者可能不能被母语人士听懂。
Berman says there are several different ways to successfully deal with these problems.
伯曼表示，要成功处理这些问题有几种不同的方法。
Tip #1 Use strategies that come from vocal music training
建议1 采用出自声乐培训的策略
The first is simple: focus on the speed and volume levels of one"s voice.
第一点很简单：注重说话的速度和音量
By thinking about slowing down and speaking louder, you can slowly change your speech over time.
想着说慢点和说大声点，你就能随着时间推移慢慢改变自己的语速。
In addition to thinking about how you speak, you can also use strategies from the music industry. In voice training, Berman says, singers will often train by opening their mouth wider than they usually do. This enables them to get a better tone and a better pitch when they perform.
除了想着如何说话，你还可以采用出自声乐行业的策略。伯曼表示，在声音训练中，歌手经常会接受到把嘴巴张得比平常大一点的培训，这样他们就能在表演时发出更好的音调和音高。
Singers will often imagine their voice coming up on a string to a target 3 to 5 meters away. When English learners imagine their voices hitting a target at a distance, Berman says, they often improve their ability to speak louder.
歌手们经常会想象把他们的声音发向三五米外的目标。当英语学习者想象让自己的声音击中远处的目标时，他们通常就能提高自己的声音。
Tip #2 Use Selfie Videos
建议2 使用自拍视频
In an earlier Education story, we discussed the value of self-testing.
在此前的教育新闻中，我们讨论了自我测试的价值。
Educational consultant Sarah Lynn said that testing yourself often is one of the best ways to learn. Lynn teaches at Harvard University"s Bridge Program in Massachusetts.
教育顾问萨拉·林恩表示，经常自我测试是最好的学习方法之一。林恩在哈佛大学教授衔接课程。
So, how can you take this idea and use it to improve your pronunciation?
那么这要怎么做才能改善发音呢？
One way is by taking a selfie video, says Michael Berman.
伯曼表示，自拍就是其中一种办法。
All you need to do is place the electronic device 1-2 meters from where you stand. Then, record yourself speaking.
你要做的就是把电子设备放到距你一两米之外的地方。然后录下自己说话。
When you listen back to the recording, you can get valuable information about how you sound when you speak. You can share the videos with friends or your teachers. They can give you advice, too.
当你回看视频时，你就能得到一些关于你说话时如何发音的有价值信息。你可以把这则视频与朋友或老师分享，他们也能给你建议。
The value of this practice, adds Berman, increases because young people – often called "millennials – place a high value on the idea of posting videos on social media.
伯曼补充说，这种做法的价值在提升，因为年轻人极度重视在社交媒体上发布视频的想法。
When millennials know their video will appear on social media, he explains, they are likely to repeat the performance many times before filming. "If you"re talking about English intelligibility issues, that kind of repetition and practice and focus is amazing", Berman says.
伯曼解释说，当千禧一代知道他们的视频将会出现在社交媒体上时，他们就更可能在录像前重复多次练习。伯曼说，“谈到英语清晰度问题，这种重复练习和集中精力是很惊人的。”
So, give the vocal music and selfie video tips a try, and let us know how they work for you!
所以，试试声乐和自拍视频这两条建议，然后告诉我们对你来说效果如何。
