Phonemic Charts – Differences Explained

In this video we are going to take a look at the various phonemic charts used for British English (RP) today.

The most famous one is probably the one by Adrian Underhill. It is used in many course books to study English as a foreign language, especially in materials from European publishers. The sound symbols are all from the IPA, but one sound uses a slightly different symbol – the one for /e/.

We then compare the Underhill chart to the ones from the British Council and the chart from English File (from Oxford University Press).

Hopefully, by the end of it you will feel more familiar with all three and realise that they have a lot more in common than you might have thought.


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!