For VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar.
Today we have a special guest host. Betty Azar is the most successful writer of grammar textbooks in the world. Generations of English learners will recognize her best-selling bookUnderstanding and Using English Grammar. The famous blue grammar book, now in its fourth edition, is in use at language schools across the world. Ms. Azar also supports research and professional development in the English language teaching field. Today Ms. Azar will offer some advice on how to hear the sounds of grammar.
STUDENT: "English speakers talk too fast! I can't understand what they're saying."
BETTY AZAR: Does that sound familiar? It's a common complaint of English language learners, one I've heard often from my university-level ESL students through the years.
 To is usually reduced to a slight t sound: Let's ask Tom to come with us. sounds like Let's ask Tom t'come with us. Again: Let's ask Tom t'come with us. The and a can be especially hard for learners to hear. Listen for the and a: In class yesterday, I asked the teacher a question. Even if you know the and a are supposed to be there, you have to listen hard to hear them. Listen again: In class yesterday, I asked the teacher a question. Native speakers can hear the softer sounds of function words, but it can be very difficult for second language learners to hear them. Knowing some grammar can help. For example, learners are more likely to hear and to say Bye. I'm leaving now. I'll see you later if they are familiar with the forms and meanings of verb tenses. If learners don't know what grammar sounds they're supposed to hear, chances are they won't hear them. If they don't hear them, chances are they won't include them in their own speaking and writing. In other words, an awareness of grammar can prepare you to understand what you're hearing, and hearing the sounds of grammar can, in turn, help you use English more accurately. I'm Betty Azar. You can visit Betty Azar's website at www.azargrammar.com. Betty Azar would like to thank Stacy Hagen for sharing her expertise in the grammar-listening connection. Betty Azar wrote this story as a contributor for VOA Learning English. Adam Brock was the producer. Jill Robbins was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story contracted – participial adj. shortened dazed – participial adj. confused and surprised squeeze– v. push close together leisurely– adv. in a slow, relaxed way contraction– gramm. two words combined into one word, e.g., I am = I'm chances are (that)- idiomatic phrase. it is probable (that) in turn - idiomatic phrase. as a result
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