How to Pronounce Strategic

How to improve English pronunciation: Welcome to the first episode of Word of the Week. For the next 12 weeks, I will share with you a word or a word family, where I often hear common mispronunciation issues. These videos will help you with these tricky words so you will be able to speak clearly and be understood by other business professionals. 

In this first episode, I will share with you how to pronounce strategic and it’s noun form, strategy. A strategy is a plan with the intent to achieve a specific goal. Being strategic means to apply your plan to achieve your goals. Yes! The pronunciation of English vowels and word stress can be a challenge.

In this video, you will learn the pronunciation of strategy and strategic, what are the sounds in each syllable, and how to use them in a sentence.

Not only is knowing how to pronounce English words correctly empowering, but it also means your listeners understand you first time and they can focus on your messages and not on understanding your words. Accent reduction is not necessary, but clarity of speech is.

Enjoy learning! 

Transcription: 

Hi, I'm Melanie Hussell, and I'm really excited to be introducing you to my first word of the week series. I'll be posting every week for 12 weeks, a word or a word family, where I often hear some common mispronunciation issues from my last six years of research and helping business professionals to speak clearly.

Now let's get learning. Today's word of the week is strategic. The noun is strategy. Let's have a look at both of those words, because there are some distinct differences. 

Let's start with strategy. How many syllables? Strat - e - gy, three syllables? What did the sounds in those three syllables? First, (s) se, (t) te, (r) ra, at, strat second syllable, uh, short vowel, weak vowel. Final syllable, g,  ee, long vowel. Gee. Let's put those sounds together. Strat - e - gy Now faster strategy, strategy. Where is the stress? Strat - e - gy. It's on the first syllable. 

Now let's have a look at the more tricky word, strategic. How many syllables stra - te - gic. Three syllables. Let's have a look at the sounds in those syllables. First syllable. (S) se,  (t) te,  (r) re, uh, short vowel unstressed "stra".

Let's have a look on the second syllable. (T) te,  ee, long vowel, tee. Let's have a look at the final syllable. g, i,  short vowel, ke, gic.  Now let's put them together. Strategic. Listen, where is the stress in this word? Strategic is on the second syllable. Strategic. 

Now, let's put these two words into two sample sentences. Our revised strategy is key in this period of deep disruption. We need to hold urgent strategic meetings across our organization. 

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If you are looking to discuss your organisation’s (corporate, NGOs, Associations and Universities) Business English communication needs (including Pronunciation support) or Presentation skills, I offer free 30-minute consultations through my site. I’d love to meet you.

Melanie Hussell empowers professionals to present with confidence, share their great ideas and make bigger impact on their organisations. 

She has over 16 years of European corporate experience in several sectors across Europe. Melanie virtually coaches clients on their Business English all over the world including but not limited to companies in Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the United States. Melanie’s passion in linguistics, pronunciation, and presentation skills allows her to help professionals to become more effective when they communicate. As a remote coach, Melanie is always nearby to assist you and your team.    

Melanie can help and guide you, step by step, with her expertise and enthusiasm to refine your communication skills. Given that 4 out of 5 English speakers are non-native, she trains her clients on the 4 pillars of communication - Language, Pronunciation, Presentation, and Voice and Body. Through Melanie’s coaching, you will be ready for 'the new future' and help you make the difference you want, both for yourself and your organisation.