Fixing the Katakana Problem: How to Teach Correct English Pronunciation

Fixing the Katakana Problem: How to Teach Correct English Pronunciation

One of the biggest challenges English teachers face in Asia, especially in Japan, is helping students break free from katakana pronunciation.

Words like "coffee" (コーヒー) or "table" (テーブル) sound natural in Japanese but strange in English. Many students struggle to get rid of this habit because their native language influences how they hear and pronounce sounds.

So, how do we fix this problem and teach correct English pronunciation?

Here are three major reasons why students struggle with pronunciation and practical ways to help them improve!

1. They Can't Hear the Difference

Why it happens:If a sound doesn’t exist in their native language, students literally can’t hear it. For example, Japanese doesn’t have a distinction between R and L, so rice and lice sound the same to many learners.

How to fix it:

✅ Minimal pairs practice – Use words that sound similar, like "ship" and "sheep", and let students hear the difference.

✅ Over-exaggerate pronunciation – Stretch out sounds so students can clearly hear and copy them.

✅ Use visuals – Show students how tongue and lip placement affects sound (e.g., for "th," put the tongue between the teeth).

Before students can say it correctly, they need to hear it correctly.

2. They Rely on Katakana Sounds

Why it happens: Many students have learned English words using katakana, which doesn’t match real English pronunciation.

For example:🛑 "Ice cream" → "アイスクリーム" (aisu kuriimu)🛑 "McDonald's" → "マクドナルド" (makudonarudo)

These extra vowels distort pronunciation and make speech sound unnatural.

How to fix it:

✅ Teach syllable reduction – Help students remove unnecessary sounds (e.g., “McDonald’s” is NOT "makudonarudo").

✅ Use rhythm and stress drills – Have students clap out syllables to recognize the correct word structure.

✅ Make them repeat after native pronunciation – Instead of reading, students should listen first, then speak.

By breaking the katakana habit, students will sound more natural when speaking English.

3. They Are Afraid to Sound Different

Why it happens:Some students don’t want to sound “too English” because they worry they’ll stand out or look like they’re trying too hard.

How to fix it:

✅ Make pronunciation a game – Use tongue twisters or silly voice exercises to make speaking fun.

✅ Praise students for correct pronunciation – Show them that sounding natural is a good thing!

✅ Use real-life role-play – Get students used to natural pronunciation in real situations, like ordering food at a restaurant.

Once students feel comfortable using real English pronunciation, their confidence skyrockets!

Final Thoughts: Pronunciation Takes Practice

Fixing katakana pronunciation doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent practice, students can sound more natural and confident in English!

✅ Train their ears first

✅ Help them break the katakana habit

✅ Make pronunciation fun, not scary

Try these strategies in your next lesson, and watch your students’ pronunciation improve dramatically! 🚀