English Phonology: Transcribing in IPA – Part 1

In this video we are going to learn how to transcribe a short sentence using the sound symbols from the IPA. I will use the chart for British English. This is the one most coursebooks, websites and publishers use in Europe.

First, we are going to transcribe the sentence word for word, sounding out each word and allocating the vowels and consonants on the chart. Next, we will see how to show syllable boundaries and word stress in a phonemic transcription. Then we are going to put the words together into a sentence and we will listen to the sentence said naturally so you can also identify weak forms and learn how to transcribe these as well.

Finally, there is a little test for you!


Ready to improve your pronunciation?

Make fast progress with private coaching tailored to your needs.

Billie English on Socials

‘Billie English’ boasts over 260 YouTube videos with more than 100k subscribers and 6 million views, serving as a trusted resource for English learners and phonology enthusiasts worldwide.

In addition to its significant social media presence, Billie English offers a variety of online English classes and learning materials.

Meet Your Coach

Billie is a pronunciation coach and English teacher based in Barcelona, Spain. She holds an MA in Communication Research & Phonology, a PGCE in Primary Education, and a Trinity College Certificate & Diploma TESOL.

With over 15 years of teaching experience, she specializes in enhancing her learner’s English pronunciation and communication skills.

Sign up to receive the latest lesson!