After you’ve watched the video, practice pronouncing these words:

• civilization

• modernization

• optimization

• organization

• authorization

• urbanization

• globalization

• direction

• realization

• rationalization

Sometimes, you will hear American native speakers pronounce these words with /aɪ/ instead of /ɪ/. This can sometimes be boiled down to some regional differences between American accents and also speakers’ personal stylistic choice. Traditionally, however, these types of words would be pronounced with /ɪ/ in General American.

Today, I want you to bring your relaxation practice to a situation that would be the most stressful to you.

• What would this situation be? Why would you have to speak English in this situation?

• How would you deal with stress?

• What would you do to calm your nerves?

After you’ve answered these questions, pretend that this situation will take place in two minutes. Whatever the situation is - a presentation, an interview, a lesson - pretend that it’s happening. Now! You need to speak for 5 minutes. You’re speaking to your audience, you’re answering your teacher’s/employer’s questions. Now. It’s happening. Go. Speak.

Seriously, go.

After 5 minutes of speaking, pause and notice how you feel.

What are you going to do to feel even better when this situation happens in real life?