Hear the first example
Listen to the word. Keep your attention on the sound the exercise points out.
EAR TRAINING FOR LANGUAGE LEARNERS
You can read it.
Now learn to
hear it.
Know the word on the page, but miss it in conversation? Start with the small sound differences that change what you hear.
TRY ONE ROUNDFrench
Two examples. One new word.
Does X share A’s sound or B’s?
Listen for the vowel. Match its sound, not the whole word.
Spelling hidden. No account needed.
Different words. Different voices. One sound to notice.
Hear the difference.
Then find it again.
You don’t need to know phonetics. Hear two examples, then a new word. Decide which example shares the sound you’re listening for.
Compare the other sound
A second word changes that sound. Replay either example whenever you need.
Match it in a new word
A different voice says a different word. Does its target sound match A or B? Choose, then get feedback.
Words stay hidden while you listen. Reveal them when you choose. Why we teach it this way
Find your language.
A closer ear for each.
Explore the sounds, hear the examples, then put your ears to work.
French
Français/u/vs/y/
32 sound contrasts
Spanish
Español/ɾ/vs/r/
18 sound contrasts
German
Deutsch/ʊ/vs/ʏ/
17 sound contrasts
Italian
Italiano/f/vs/v/
10 sound contrasts
Russian
Русский/s/vs/ʂ/
13 sound contrasts
Mandarin
中文/˥/vs/˥˩/
11 sound contrasts
Portuguese
Português/f/vs/v/
7 sound contrasts
English
English/ɪ/vs/i/
27 sound contrasts
Japanese
日本語/i/vs/iː/
10 sound contrasts
British English
English/ɔː/vs/ɒ/
22 sound contrasts
Give a difficult sound
your full attention.
A few focused minutes. A clear next step.
LISTEN, DON’T GUESS
Your ears get the first word.
No spelling or translation to give the answer away. Listen again, make your choice, then check it.
MORE THAN ONE VOICE
Hear the sound beyond the speaker.
Practice with different voices to recognize the sound across speakers.
A REASON TO RETURN
Pick up where you left off.
Keep your session history, choose a three-session plan and revisit the sounds that need another listen.
Build your listening planSTART WITH ONE SOUND
Less reading about it.
More hearing it.
Your first session is free. Choose a language and press play.