IELTS Pronunciation Practice: Linking with /j/ and /w/ sounds

Technique

How to say it

1
When finishing a word on /iː/, /eɪ/, /aɪ/, or /ɔɪ/, keep the voice continuous and glide your tongue forward towards the following vowel with a subtle /j/ sound.
2
When finishing a word on /uː/, /əʊ/, or /aʊ/, round your lips slightly as you transition into the next vowel to insert a gentle /w/ sound.
3
Keep your airflow steady across the word boundary instead of stopping the breath with a glottal stop.
4
Ensure the linking glide remains soft and unaccented so the rhythm of the sentence stays natural.

6 pairs

Minimal pairs

Say each pair aloud. If the two words sound the same when you record yourself, slow down and go back to the steps above.

they agree (/ðeɪ‿j‿əˈɡriː/)/though agreed (/ðəʊ‿w‿əˈɡriːd/)
see all (/siː‿j‿ɔːl/)/so all (/səʊ‿w‿ɔːl/)
I ask (/aɪ‿j‿ɑːsk/)/how ask (/haʊ‿w‿ɑːsk/)
my uncle (/maɪ‿j‿ʌŋkl/)/now uncle (/naʊ‿w‿ʌŋkl/)
tea answers (/tiː‿j‿ɑːnsəz/)/two answers (/tuː‿w‿ɑːnsəz/)
stay in (/steɪ‿j‿ɪn/)/go in (/ɡəʊ‿w‿ɪn/)

12 sentences

Practice lines from IELTS-style answers

1
I always try and go out when I need some fresh air.
link: I‿j‿always, try‿j‿and, go‿w‿out
2
To be honest, I agree that public transport should be entirely free.
link: be‿j‿honest, I‿j‿agree, be‿j‿entirely
3
My uncle told me that you always need two extra hours.
link: My‿j‿uncle, you‿w‿always, two‿w‿extra
4
I enjoy art because they always inspire me to express myself.
link: they‿j‿always, to‿w‿express
5
We often go into the city centre just to see exhibitions.
link: go‿w‿into, see‿j‿exhibitions
6
Now and then, I try extra hobbies to stay active.
link: Now‿w‿and, try‿j‿extra, stay‿j‿active
7
If you ask me, we ought to improve our local parks.
link: you‿w‿ask, we‿j‿ought
8
I really enjoy it when people show empathy towards each other.
link: really‿j‿enjoy, enjoy‿j‿it, show‿w‿empathy
9
Do either of you own a flat in the city centre?
link: Do‿w‿either, you‿w‿own
10
They often go abroad because they intend to explore new cultures.
link: go‿w‿abroad, they‿j‿intend, to‿w‿explore
11
I would definitely say it is crucial to eat balanced meals.
link: say‿j‿it, to‿w‿eat
12
You are likely to agree that technology changes so easily.
link: You‿w‿are, to‿w‿agree, so‿w‿easily

Say it in a real answer

Record an IELTS Speaking answer and get a Pronunciation band from the AI examiner, with the exact words that were hard to understand.

Watch out

Common mistakes

→Inserting an abrupt glottal stop between adjacent vowels instead of gliding smoothly with /j/ or /w/.
→Confusing the two glides by placing /w/ after front vowels or /j/ after back rounded vowels.
→Pronouncing the intrusive glide with too much force, which breaks the natural rhythm of the sentence.

In the exam: Use subtle /j/ and /w/ links between everyday pronoun and verb combinations like 'I am' or 'go out' to maintain effortless flow throughout Part 2 and Part 3.

Frequently asked questions

How much does pronunciation count in IELTS Speaking?+

A quarter of your Speaking band. Examiners judge how easy you are to understand and how well you use features like stress, rhythm and intonation, not whether you sound British or American.

Do I need a native accent for Band 8?+

No. An accent is fine at every band. What matters is that individual sounds are clear, stress falls on the right syllables and your intonation helps the listener follow you.

How should I practise these lines?+

Read each line slowly, then at natural speed, then record yourself and compare. Say the sentences in a real answer next, because examiners hear your pronunciation while you think, not while you read.

Keep practising

Linking with /j/ and /w/ sounds (I am, go out)

How to say it

Minimal pairs

Practice lines from IELTS-style answers

Common mistakes

Frequently asked questions

More linking and connected speech practice