One of the elements of learning another language that troubles many people is the introduction of new sounds and combinations of sounds that we are not used to making. This can be a bit like going to your first pilates, yoga or dancing class and trying to do a certain combination of movements for the first time. Pilates, for example, focusses on strengthening core muscles such as the abdominal muscles. I’m sure it would be lovely to have a rippling ‘six-pack’ under my shirt but the first time the instructor told me to lie down with my shoulders and feet raised whilst I pump my arms up and down rapidly, it seemed like an impossible task. Our bodies are not used to this position or the combination of movements.
The same is true when we need to make new sounds using lips, tongue, mouth shape and throat in ways that we are not used to. We are all familiar with the concept of ‘tongue twisters’; those fun phrases that seem impossible to say but can be dominated with practice. Well, the same is true of your English pronunciation nightmares. Start gently at first, like the pilates exercises, and slowly but surely the words will be dancing out of your mouth.