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The Duolingo English Test (DET) has become a popular choice for students and professionals aiming to prove their English language proficiency. One of the most important parts of the test is the Speaking section, where pronunciation plays a critical role. Clear, natural-sounding speech can significantly boost your overall score and leave a lasting impression.

In this blog, we’ll explore practical ways to improve pronunciation and perform better in the Duolingo Speaking section.

Why Pronunciation Matters

The Duolingo English Test uses AI-driven evaluation to assess pronunciation. This means:

Even slight mispronunciations can reduce your score.
Clarity, intonation, and word stress are closely monitored.
Your speech is compared with native-level pronunciation models.

👉 Fact: According to Duolingo’s test research, pronunciation is one of the four subskills assessed in the Production section, and it directly influences how well the AI can understand your answers.

Signs You Need to Work on Pronunciation

You may need to improve your pronunciation if:

Native English speakers often ask you to repeat yourself.
You speak too fast or too slowly.
You struggle with specific sounds (like “th” or “v”).
You are not confident reading aloud in English.

Strategies to Improve Pronunciation for the Duolingo Test

1. Practice Shadowing

Shadowing means listening to a native speaker and immediately repeating what they say. This helps with rhythm, tone, and fluency.

Use English podcasts, YouTube videos, or movies.
Focus on mimicking intonation and pauses.

2. Record and Compare

Record yourself answering speaking prompts.
Compare your recording with native speaker samples.
Identify mispronounced words and correct them.

3. Focus on Problem Sounds

Every learner struggles with different sounds depending on their native language. For example:

Indian speakers often mispronounce v and w.
“Th” is tricky for many non-native speakers.

Use minimal pair exercises (like bat vs vat) to master them.

4. Learn Word Stress and Sentence Stress

In English:

Stress usually falls on certain syllables in words (e.g., preSENT vs PREsent).
Important words in a sentence are stressed (nouns, main verbs).

Practice stressing the right parts to sound more natural.

5. Use Online Tools

Google’s pronunciation tool (just type “how to pronounce [word]”).
YouTube channels like Rachel’s English or English with Lucy.
Text-to-speech apps that let you hear words in natural accents.

6. Slow Down Your Speech

Speaking too fast makes pronunciation worse. Slow, deliberate speech:

Helps you focus on sounds.
Increases clarity.
Builds confidence.

7. Take Mock Tests Under Exam Conditions

Practicing under timed conditions helps build familiarity. Use platforms that simulate the Duolingo environment to:

Get used to speaking with no one listening.
Practice spontaneous answers.
Improve consistency.

8. Get Feedback

Ask a fluent speaker or tutor to review your recordings.
Join speaking clubs or language exchange groups.

Feedback is crucial to correct subtle errors you might not notice.

Bonus Tips Before the Test Day

Warm up your mouth with tongue twisters.
Avoid cold drinks that can strain your voice.
Don’t whisper or speak too softly—Duolingo’s AI needs clear audio input.

Final Thoughts

Improving your pronunciation is not about sounding perfect—it’s about sounding clear and understandable. With regular practice, awareness of common mistakes, and the right tools, you can boost your pronunciation score and perform confidently in the Duolingo English Test.

Need free tools to practice your speaking skills? Gurully.com offers Duolingo mock tests and speaking practice tools to help you prepare effectively.

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