Schwa - the BEST vowel sound in English

You wanted it, you got it! In this episode I’ll talk about the schwa vowel sound. Understanding it will help you sound more natural and effortless, and will help you pronounce words clearly. You’ll learn why the schwa is so important, and what makes it hard to understand. But fear not - you’ll find answers in this video and learn how to identify and practice it in words and sentences. Are you ready?

What’s your favorite word with the Schwa sound? Put it in the comments!

Key points of this video:
00:00 Intro
01:43 What's the Schwa
06:55 Why it's important to use the Schwa
9:21 When and how to use the Schwa
11:28 Schwa in ‘victory’
12:13 Schwa in ‘congratulate’
16:05 Schwa in ‘hospital’
19:08 Schwa in sentences
20:34 Game: Guess where the Schwa is

Links to videos about syllables and primary stress:

Schwa PODCAST:

Want to learn more about reductions:

🎼Rhythm and intonation videos:

FREE stuff to give you the confidence and fluency boost you need:

American Pronunciation Guides for:
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[Stygard]

I am a native speaker who has struggled with spelling and pronunciations my whole life and this has finally given me the missing key to the root of so many of my issues!

[kosalakannangara]

I personally experienced that practising schwas incredibly improved my listening skills. Thanks Hadar for giving further clarity to this.

[CavinGraves]

I use this in my first class with every student since it's a good primer for basic phonetics understanding, rhythm, stress and of course, easy-to-understand pronunciation. My students are French and they never study phonetics in their schools, so they definitely need the help. Thanks for this video. It's very very useful for me!

[fjmarquez]

You nailed Sensei, I’ve been speaking English myself for over 15 years, and this is the first time I heard an accurate explanation about the schwa.
Thank you.

[mymomindia]

I am watching your English teaching practice daily and try to talk English language .because I am so emotional to talk English language ..your English teaching practice assist me more way ...thanks mam ..I am from India

[adamstephanomollel]

I truly had been struggling with the schwa but you have assisted me a lot with your most clear explanation

[MahmoodShahQurayshi]

I am from Afgahnistan I always follow your new lesson when I follow your new lesson I feel very comfortable about english

[DavidMartinez-qtin]

Hi there from Spain,

I watch hundred of videos from many youtube language teachers, as I'm learning several languages myself.

And I just want to say to you;

You are brilliant. Your content is so good and high quality.

Thanks a lot,

😊🙏🏼

[Albertmars]

wow, this was very informative. Almost 20 years living in the states and i never cared to look this up til now. Thank you, hadar.

[sparker]

To echo many of the comments below: this is an excellent video from a practical and theoretical perspective (I am a native speaker and felt like I learned so much!!)

Also, I really appreciate the comment that clarity is key to communication (not just pronunciation)!

[semyongaivoronskiy]

As for me, schwa was always that deaf sound from Hebrew, which is displayed by column under letters :D Never knew about same concept in English, even though using it in everyday life. Thank you Hadar! It's always fun to learn something new!

[silviaturi]

Hadar, I could listen to you talk about the schwa for hours :)

[ElMoscas]

You hit the nail on the head with this come-in handy lesson, that's what I want to learn. So many thanks for doing an incredible job.

[adrianarufinosiqueira]

Hadar,
You are my inspiration!!!! I want to be like you, no native speaker but fluent!!!
You are amazing!!! Thanks a lot.
God bless you!!🙏

[eligiosantamaria]

Thank you teacher God bless you always I from Puerto Cortes Honduras Blessing everyone

[adrianojp]

Thank you, I am delighted with your didactics

[neriscamacho]

Thanks for your amazing explanation! I do not have any problem when listening and writing down the word. The schwa sound is new for me. I keep on practicing to sound like a native.

[BENJAMIN]

Pure Gold every minute of this video. Thanks for explanation.

[marianadangelo]

I love your videos... Thanks so much ... God brought to my life!!!.

[mariaemiliadruetta]

Hadar you're amazing!!! 🤯Your voice accompany me every single day on my way to improve my American accent! You're my mentor! Thank so much for your videos, and your simplicity to teach! I just realized about the schwa sound! 🥳💃💃