This is an easy-to-use phonemic chart app (similar to the symbols found in a dictionary) that offers practice in learning sounds using phonemics in British English and American English. The app is free to trial five words for practice, but the real functionality requires a paid upgrade. Users begin by choosing either American or British English. The charts present 40 phonetic symbols. Users tap on a symbol to hear the sound and hold to hear the sound used in a word. The audio is clear and authentic. In the quiz and practice modes, users will read, listen and write words presented using an on-screen phonemic or English keyboard. While the app gives positive feedback for correct answers, these tasks are in isolation and there is no added context or game aspect for the user to make it an interesting or motivating experience. Since most students learning English language do not rely on the phonemic chart, the program might not be particularly useful to most students. The best use of the paid version of the app might be for English language learners as a pronunciation resource, which allows the user to listen to how a word is pronounced and then record and playback their own voice saying that word.

• Provides sufficient and varied types of practice problems to maximize understanding and generalization of the targeted skill/concept
• Manufacturer claims alignment with Common Core/Known Standards
• Presents educational concepts accurately
• Explains answers so students can learn from mistakes
• Better for teaching the skill to new or struggling learners
• Better for practicing or refreshing the skill
• Skills are practiced through authentic, meaningful problems (not just rote practice)

• Appropriate for a broad age range to use and enjoy
• Subject matter and problems are relevant, interesting and authentic to students
• Visually appealing to children in the target age range
• Provides virtual rewards or incentives after meeting specified goals or objectives
• Provides a "break activity" between academic problem sets
• Offers ongoing, progressive challenge
• Overall - Enjoyable. Given the option, students would choose this option

• Has a free or trial version
• Provides teaching guidance for adults to support the child and set appropriate goals
• Provides an age-appropriate tutorial/first time users can work independently
• Student should be able to use independently after first use
• Has a multi-player option to foster in-person collaboration or cooperation
• Multiple users can save a profile
• Student graduates to the next level or topic only after meeting a benchmark
• Can play without sound and not distract others
• Students can save work between sessions
• Can effectively understand and monitor student's progress (email report or in product)
• Provides options to play in languages other than English/Good for ELL
• Presents information in multiple formats (voice over, pictures and text, etc.)
• Overall - Easy to use

• Spelling
• Verbal Memory
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement
• Working Memory
• Requires recall of spoken information without text or visual cues
• Requires recall of text information without audio or visual reinforcement

The ultimate mobile English pronunciation aid, for both students AND teachers. Sounds helps you study, practise and play with pronunciation wherever you are.

This free version includes Interactive Phonemic Charts for British English and American English. Tap to hear a sound, or tap and hold to hear the sound and an example word.

In the Premium version (now available) you can look up, listen to and record words in the WORDLIST; PRACTISE your pronunciation skills; test yourself with the pronunciation QUIZZES; use the phonemic TYPEWRITER; and LEARN with Top Tips, videos and more!

*** Winner of the British Council ELTons Award 2012 for 'Innovation in learner resources'. The judges felt that “This is a great app – it is easy to navigate, user-friendly, thorough, and, I am sure, innovative.” ***

FREE VERSION FEATURES:

- Interactive Phonemic Chart with high quality audio
- Work in British or American English, and switch between them at any time
- Instructions
- ‘Introduction to the Chart' video
- Tasters of both the Practice and Quiz modes from the Premium version


IN ADDITION, THE PREMIUM VERSION INCLUDES:

- Vocabulary Wordlist (with over 650 words):
> Phonemic transcriptions and audio
> Record your own pronunciation
> Buy additional wordlists in American and British English as in-app purchases
> All new wordlists include both words and phrases
> Show/Hide primary stress marks
- Practice Activities (Listen, Read and Write)
- Quizzes ('3 Minutes' & '3 Lives' modes)
- Phonemic Typewriter for free practice
- Top Ten Tips for Students
- Top Ten Tips for Teachers, including new lesson plans
- ‘Teaching with the Chart' workshop video


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Some of the great user reviews we’ve received:

“Excellent app for teachers and students alike. Takes the guesswork out of pronunciation and helps with memorisation of the chart.”

“I’m an ESL teacher in Mexico and cannot tell you how handy this app will be in my classes. I simply love it!”

“I’ve been studying for a TEFL qualification and I wish I’d found this app sooner!”

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For more information about the chart, the choice of vocabulary included in the Wordlist, and the benefits of Sounds: The Pronunciation App for both language teachers and students, visit the website at www.soundspronapp.com