Simular sounds I watched this Pronunciation tips from the BBC: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/pronunciation/mp4/vowel_short_3.mp4 The short vowels /æ/ and /ʌ/ seems to me to be too similar. I feel a little difference only in words: ankle uncle bank bunk bat but cap cup swam swum How can I train my ear to recognize differences between this sounds more clear?

Understanding spoken English and speaking practice I would like to improve my ability to understand spoken English. I understood nothing trying to listen radio podcasts, some months ago. I decided to listen adaptive audio books and to watch movies in English. It brought me positive results, I begun to understand near 75% what I heard. Also, I clearly understood, passive listening without speaking not enough for further progress in understanding spoken English. So, I am here to find natives and speak to them. If anyone decide to help me with my English I can help him to speak Russian.