LISTEN

Listen to the audio recording below.

PRACTICE

Read the following sentences and practice stretching the sounds before the dashes (—). At the same time, connect the sounds that are underlined. Read each sentence three times.

Silicon Valley— / is in the southern pa—rt/ of the San Francisco Bay Area—/ in Northern California—/.

The term originally refe—rred/ to the region’s large numbe—r/ of silicon chip innovato—rs/ and manufacture—rs/, but eventually came to refe—r/ to all the high-tech businesse—s/ in the area—/.

Despite the developme—nt/ of other high-tech economic cente—rs/ throughout the United Sta—tes/, Silicon Valley—/ continues to be—/ the leading high-tech cente—r/ because of its large numbe—r/ of enginee—rs/ and venture capitali—sts/.

PRACTICE

The sentences have been copied below without the visual clues for stretching and connecting. Try to add stretching and connecting naturally. Record yourself and listen to the recording. Can you clearly hear the rhythm of English in your voice?

Silicon Valley is in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. The term originally referred to the region’s large number of silicon chip innovators and manufacturers, but eventually came to refer to all the high-tech businesses in the area. Despite the development of other high-tech economic centers throughout the United States, Silicon Valley continues to be the leading high-tech center because of its large number of engineers and venture capitalists.

When you add stretching and connecting to your speech, your speech should feel smooth. Your voice should flow gently like a wave. It should feel like you are lengthening your voice, and you should sound very calm when you are speaking.