/s/ as in SKATE, SIT and KISS

The sound /s/ in English is pronounced in the same way as the letters "s" and "z" in Spanish. Spanish words with this sound are: si, siete, zapato, cine.

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Possible pronunciation problems

Pronouncing "e" before /s/. For example:

• State becomes Estate.

• Say becomes Essay.

• Steam becomes Esteem.

/θ/ as in PATH, THINK and MOUTH

The sound /θ/ in English is similar to the "Castilian lisp" used by Madrileños when pronouncing such words as "hace" and "zapato".

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Possible pronunciation problems

Substituting /θ/ for /s/. For example:

• Thank becomes Sank.

• Thing becomes Sing.

Substituting /θ/ for /t/. For example:

• Path becomes Pat.

/ʃ/ as in SHOE, NATION and WISH

The consonant /ʃ/ does not exist in Spanish.

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Possible pronunciation problems

Substituting /ʃ/ for /tʃ/. For example:

• Shoe becomes Chew.

• Wash becomes Watch.

/tʃ/ as in CHAIR, TEACHER and WITCH

The sound /tʃ/ is similar to the sound of the letters "ch" in Spanish. Spanish words with this sound are: chico, ocho, muchacho, chocolate.

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Possible pronunciation problems

Substituting /ʃ/ for /tʃ/. For example:

• Chair becomes Share.

• Which becomes Wish.

/p/ as in PEAR, APPLE and STOP

​The sound /p/ in English is similar to the sound of  the letter "p" in Spanish. Spanish words with this sound are: poco, papel, pensar, esperar.

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Possible pronunciation problems

Forgetting to aspirate /p/. For example:

• Pear becomes Bear.

• Pat becomes Bat.

/h/ as in HAT, BEHIND and WHO

The sound /h/ in English is similar to the sound of the letters "g" before "e" or "i" and "j" in most dialects of  Spanish. Spanish words with this sound are: jugar, mujer, gente, girar.

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Possible pronunciation problems

Leaving out the /h/. For example:

• Hat becomes At.

• Hand becomes And.