The latest podcast describes how to hear and make the /s/ sound as in racer (like a stock car racer or a Formula 1 racer) and the /z/ sound as in razor (the thing you shave with). It's an important difference, and if you are from Poland, the Czech Republic or Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, or a similar Eastern European country, you probably have trouble with the difference, particularly in the final position (the difference between "scarce" which means "hard to find or uncommon", like a scarce natural resource, and "scares" as in "he scares me" meaning to frighten.)

As I said it's an important difference. So check out the podcast, I hope it helps.

As always, if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for ESL or accent reduction lessons, feel free to give me a call at (732) 776-7964. Leave a message if I'm not in as I always check and return my messages within twelve hours. Alternately, you can drop me a line via e-mail at david.berlin.esl@gmail.com. Or just chat with me on Skype; my Skype ID is david.berlin.esl.

Until next time, take care! Drink plenty of cold water, iced tea, lemonade or other drink so you don't get dehydrated because it is getting hot and humid again. Enjoy the beach while you can, it'll be four feet of snow again before you know it!