Tree or Three: Improve Your English Pronunciation

Tree or Three? by Ann Baker is a trusted resource for English learners looking to improve clarity and confidence in spoken English. This article reviews the book’s structure, guides you on how to get the most from each unit, and suggests tools to support your pronunciation practice.

I. Overview of the Tree or Three Book by Ann Baker

Tree or Three? An Elementary Pronunciation Course is a popular pronunciation book for learners of English as a second or foreign language. Written by Ann Baker and published by Cambridge University Press, the book is designed to help learners recognize and produce English sounds accurately through listening and repetition exercises.

This book is widely recommended for classroom use, test preparation (such as IELTS or OET Speaking), and independent learning, especially for learners at the elementary to intermediate level (A2–B2).

1. What’s Inside Tree or Three?

This book is structured into practical, easy-to-follow units that help learners identify and produce commonly confused English sounds. Each section builds on prior knowledge, providing a step-by-step path toward clearer and more confident spoken communication.

Here’s what you can expect to find inside the book:

This well-structured content allows both students and teachers to follow a consistent learning path and identify specific pronunciation issues that can be targeted unit by unit. Whether used in the classroom or for self-study, Tree or Three? offers a foundation for building stronger, clearer English speech.

2. How the Book Helps with Pronunciation

This pronunciation resource is designed to target the most common difficulties that English learners face. By emphasizing sound contrasts through repetition, listening, and guided speaking practice, it helps learners develop greater clarity, rhythm, and overall confidence in spoken communication.

Strengths of the book:

• Focused practice on high-problem areas: The book targets common sound distinctions that cause misunderstandings (especially for beginner and intermediate learners).
• Balanced mix of listening and speaking tasks: Exercises require students to actively listen and repeat, improving both recognition and production of English sounds.
• Ideal for self-study and classroom: With short, efficient units and clear instructions, the book is accessible whether you're learning on your own or with a teacher.
• Audio practice improves accent and fluency: Learners have exposure to native speaker models, allowing them to imitate tone, stress, and speech rhythm.

Limitations to consider:

• Limited coverage beyond consonant sounds: While excellent for initial pronunciation training, the book does not focus heavily on vowel sounds, intonation, or connected speech.
• Simplified instruction: The book assumes a basic understanding of English. For complete beginners, teacher support or a pre-course in listening may be helpful.
• Older editions may lack digital support: Unless using the updated version, older CDs may not be compatible with current devices.

With regular practice, learners can enhance their spoken clarity by becoming more aware of important sound distinctions, which reduces misunderstandings and boosts confidence in communication. These materials are also helpful for exam preparation, especially for speaking tests like IELTS where pronunciation matters. Additionally, the listening-focused approach sharpens learners’ ability to identify subtle sound contrasts in both everyday conversations and academic contexts.

II. How to Use Tree or Three Effectively?

To maximize the benefits of this pronunciation resource, learners should follow a clear study routine and apply active practice strategies. Because the material is skill-based, steady effort, repeated exposure, and focused feedback are essential for building both accuracy and confidence in spoken English.

Suggested daily study method

• Step 1- Listen carefully: Begin by playing the audio files for the target unit. Focus on how sounds are pronounced—note the difference in airflow, tongue position, and stress.
• Step 2 - Repeat out loud: Imitate each word or phrase immediately after the audio. Try to match rhythm, intonation, and clarity.
• Step 3 - Use the mirror technique: Practice speaking in front of a mirror to observe your lip and jaw movement. This helps correct visual habits of pronunciation.
• Step 4 - Apply the shadowing technique: Replay the audio and try speaking along with minimal delay. Shadowing helps train speech rhythm and develops muscle memory.
• Step 5 - Record and compare: Use a phone or recording app to capture your speech. Compare it with the original audio to identify gaps or inaccuracies.

Sample learning schedule

• 15–20 minutes per day: Focus on one unit or one sound pair per day. Repeat high-challenge sections as needed across the week.
• Short weekly review sessions: At the end of each week, revise 2–3 previously studied units. This reinforces accuracy over time.

Practice tips

• Don’t rush. It’s better to master one or two sound contrasts than rush through many.
• Revisit tricky units multiple times across several days.
• Use headphones when listening for better sound clarity and focus.
• Pair up with a study partner or teacher, if possible, to get external feedback.

III. Supplementary Resources to Use with Tree or Three

While this pronunciation resource provides a strong foundation, combining it with additional tools and materials can greatly enhance the learning process. The following curated resources offer more targeted practice, clearer feedback, and engaging methods to develop accurate and confident spoken English.

Mobile apps for pronunciation practice

• ELSA Speak: Uses AI technology to give personalized feedback on individual sound errors, including consonant distinctions. 
• Sounds of Speech: Developed by the University of Iowa, this app provides detailed animations of mouth and tongue positions for each English sound, helping learners visualize accurate pronunciation.
• BBC Learning English (Pronunciation section): Offers free short videos and practice exercises for commonly confused English sounds, including short explanations and native pronunciation models.

Complementary pronunciation books

• English Pronunciation in Use (Elementary & Intermediate): Provides broader pronunciation coverage (including vowels, stress, and intonation), making it an excellent companion if you want to go beyond individual sounds.
• Ship or Sheep? by Ann Baker: A follow-up to Tree or Three for learners at a slightly higher level. It focuses more on connected speech and a wider range of sound contrasts.

Websites with free audio and interactive quizzes

• ELLLO.org: Offers thousands of free listening activities with native speakers, including minimal pair work and pronunciation gap fills.
• SoundsAmerican (YouTube): Features individual videos on tricky English sounds with visual demonstrations and repetition drills.
• ManyThings.org/Pronunciation: Includes basic pronunciation games and minimal pair listening quizzes—perfect for reinforcing distinctions like those found in Tree or Three.
• PrepTalk English: PREP offers the PrepTalk English course to support learners using Tree or Three, especially those preparing for IELTS or looking to build greater confidence in spoken English through guided pronunciation practice.

IV. Where to Buy or Download Tree or Three?

If you’re ready to start learning with Tree or Three?, it’s important to get the correct version of the book—ideally, one that includes audio materials. Below are trusted sources where you can purchase or access the book.

• Amazon: Offers both physical and Kindle editions. Make sure to check that the version includes audio support or download instructions.
• Cambridge.org: Official publisher site where you can purchase updated editions and access teacher resources.
• Book Depository: Allows international shipping with free delivery. Ideal for self-learners outside major book markets.

Note: Be cautious with free PDF or MP3 downloads found online. These versions are often incomplete, outdated, or violate copyright, and they may omit key components such as listening exercises and answer keys. To learn effectively and respect licensing, it’s best to use a verified copy from a trusted seller.

Hopefully, the review above about the "Tree or Three" book by PREP has answered all your questions. We wish all Preppies success in achieving native-like pronunciation with this material!