The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) was created to match distinct written symbols to speech sounds. It is especially useful in English because of the variety of ways that many of the letters can be pronounced: for example, the "g" is said differently in the words:
go, gem, laugh and sign. The IPA assigns a unique symbol to each of these sounds.

This CD-ROM, IPA Phonics, American English Pronunciation Guide explains the 47 individual sounds/symbols of American English through text, narration and video clips. Each of the mouth movements are described in specific detail, accompanied by video demonstrations so students can read, see and hear how to articulate the IPA. Word examples, sound contrasts and practice sentences are included for reinforcement. The flexibility found in IPA Phonics makes it easy to use: begin anywhere and skip around, backwards and forward among the sounds - there is no progressive degree of difficulty, and no unit is dependent on any other. This comprehensive material will help all those who wish to speak English more clearly by providing a key to its phonetic alphabet.