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English Pronunciation for Arabic Speakers

Arabic is consonant-rich but vowel-light (3 vowel qualities), and it lacks P. English vowel contrasts and the P/B split are the core work.

⚡ Start here — the highest-leverage fix

Carry a tissue for a week: every P must make it flutter. Pen/Ben, pay/bay, pig/big.

The 6 sounds to master

Why it happens: No P in Arabic — B substitutes: "park" → "bark".

The fix: P is voiceless with a puff of air; hold a tissue in front — it must move.

Full guide to /p/ with practice words →

Why it happens: The 3-vowel system merges bet/bat/bit neighborhoods.

The fix: Anchor each: E = mid, A = jaw wide, I = quick and lax.

Full guide to /e/ with practice words →

Why it happens: O-vowels collapse; "hot", "hut" blur.

The fix: Short O opens wide with light rounding; short U is central and tiny.

Full guide to /ɒ/ with practice words →

Why it happens: V can devoice to F.

The fix: Same position as F with the voice on — feel the lip buzz.

Full guide to /v/ with practice words →

Why it happens: NG splits into N+G: "singer" → "sin-ger".

The fix: Close at the back and hold — no G release in -ing words.

Full guide to /ŋ/ with practice words →

Why it happens: Arabic R is tapped/trilled.

The fix: The English R never vibrates — curl, hold, glide.

Full guide to /r/ with practice words →

Your minimal-pair drills

These pairs target exactly the contrasts above. Tap to hear each word.

🎧 Train these pairs in the listening game →

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