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https://worldlife.jp/archives/16289
I recently learned something important that I want to share with you. After many years of teaching English, I made a surprising discovery: I was speaking English with too much tension in my mouth and throat!
You see, English speakers usually speak in a more relaxed way than Japanese speakers do. Their lips, tongue, and throat are more relaxed when they talk. As a former English teacher, I felt embarrassed when I realized this. I wish I had known this when I was teaching my students!
While browsing the internet, I found some helpful videos by a Japanese pronunciation expert who lives in New York. She teaches English pronunciation in a very clear way, using pictures and simple explanations to show how to speak more naturally.
Some people say, “There are many types of English in the world now, so Japanese-style English is fine.” That’s true! But I wanted to improve my pronunciation because I think native English speakers sound natural and beautiful when they speak.
I practiced hard by watching her videos and copying how she speaks. I’m happy to say my pronunciation has gotten much better! (In the Japanese version of this article, you can hear two recordings of my voice – one from before and one from after I learned this technique.)
Here’s the simple secret expressed in my own words as I think is contained in her technique: Try to speak English like you’re singing opera! Keep the areas above your throat relaxed and breathe deeply from your stomach. Why don’t you try it too?
Good luck with your English studies!
私立学校に英語教師として勤務中、40代半ばに差し掛かったころ、荒れたクラスを立て直す策として、生徒に公言して英検1級に挑戦することを思い立つ。同様の挑戦を繰り返し、退職までに英検一級（検定連合会長賞）、TOEIC満点、国連英検SA級、フランス語一級、スペイン語一級（文科大臣賞）、ドイツ語一級、放送大学大学院修士号などの成果を得る。
アメリカで生徒への対応法を学ぶ為に研修（地銀の助成金）。最新の心理学に触れた。4都県での全発表、勤務校での教員への研修を英語で行う。現在も特別選抜クラスの授業を全て英語で行っている。「どうやって単語を覚えればいいですか？」という良くある質問に答える為、印欧祖語からの派生に基づく「生徒には見せたくない語源英単語集」を執筆中。完成間近。常日頃洋書の読破で様々な思考にふれているが、そうして得た発想の一つを生かして書いた論文がコロナ対策論文として最近入賞。賞品の牛肉に舌鼓をうっている。元英検面接委員