# Phonetics Focus

> Comprehensive English phonetics and pronunciation practice app for learners and educators. (iPhone/iPad app by Cambridge English Online Ltd.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonetics-focus/id393109855 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cambridge English Online Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/386778292)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: $2.99
- Rating: 2.33/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 15 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 6.1 · 30 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2010-09-24
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonetics-focus/id393109855/reviews.md

## What is Phonetics Focus?

**Winner of The English-Speaking Union President’s Award 2011 + British Council ELTon Innovation Awards 2012 nominee**

Help perfect your English pronunciation with the best-value, most-comprehensive English phonetics app available. Enjoy 20 fun English phonetics/pronunciation practice activities and resources in one engaging app. Perfect for students and teachers!

NEW FEATURES:
First-ever mobile phonetics typewriter. Type, save, print or email your phonetic spellings (Plus, hear the sounds as you type!) QUICK ACCESS MENUS for iPhone 5 & above!*

The creators of the highly-popular, British Council ELTon nominated Phonetics Focus, bring you the Phonetics Focus mobile app, helping you to master the sounds of English and perfect your pronunciation wherever you are. 

Packed with 20 activities, including interactive Phonemic Charts, Listen & Record, Phonetic Typewriter, scored quizzes, practice tools and printable full-colour flashcard sets (8 sets/350 flashcards), supported with high-quality native-speaker audio, this app could be the only one you'll need to learn, improve and succeed in successfully teaching and learning the sounds of British English. 

Plus, a chance to win great pronunciation titles from Cambridge University Press, in our free monthly prize draw! 

*Check out the Phonetics Focus iPad app too-for a ‘big screen’ phonetics teaching/learning experience

*Phonetics Focus Zone  on the web: http://bit.ly/1r0o9Ug    

*Don't miss Phonetics Showdown + English Sounds: Pronunciation & Phonetics!*

*The perfect partner for our Phonetics Type & Test app! 

* FEATURES:

This powerful, fun, easy-to-use app is packed with 20 different activities to improve your knowledge of pronunciation, phonemic symbols and all 44 sounds of English. All supported by over 30 teaching/learning ideas & tips

FOUR exciting tools to teach & learn phonetics/pronunciation: 

- Phonemic Chart:  All 44 sounds and symbols... just a click away  Now with 100+ example words/audio files to show how the sounds are used at the beginning, middle & end of words (tap the symbol & see up to 3 words per sound)

- Listen & Record:  Listen, Repeat, Record & Perfect 

- Phonetics Typer:   Create your own phonetic spellings with the first-ever phonetics typewriter (perfect for making your own practice resources)

- Phonemic Chart iPoster:  A fully illustrated, all-in-one chart

* EIGHT fun, interactive, scored quizzes and activities to help you improve your knowledge of the sounds of English: 

- Name that Phoneme!: Match the symbol to the sound 

- Phonetic Flip: Practice your phonetic spelling 

- Phoney Phonemes Quiz: Can you spot the fake phonemes? 

- Missing Phonemes Quiz: Which phoneme has been removed? 

- Minimal Pairs: Which one do you hear? 

- Phonetic Spelling Test: How's your phonetic spelling? 

- Which Phoneme?: Pick the correct symbol & score 

- Odd Phon' Out: One is right, but three are wrong 

Plus EIGHT sets of full-colour flashcards (350 in total) for you to use on your device, or download, print and use either by yourself, with friends or in your classroom. We've also included over 30 TEACHING & LEARNING ideas!

* Who is Phonetics Focus for? 

In short, anyone who teaches English or is learning English can benefit from our app: 

- If you are an English language learner, of any age and from any country, Phonetics Focus provides you with new, exciting ways to learn, practise and improve your pronunciation. 
- If you are a language teacher looking for stimulating, high-quality pronunciation/phonetics resources to help your students, Phonetics Focus is for you. 
- Trainee teachers studying towards CELTAs, wanting to master the sounds of English
- If you are a non-native English speaking teacher who needs help teaching students the sounds of English correctly, Phonetics Focus is for you. 
- Linguistics students, at undergraduate or postgraduate level. 

***Please email ceoi@cambridgeenglishonline.com with any comments, questions or suggestions.

## Key features

- 20 pronunciation practice activities
- Interactive Phonemic Charts
- Listen & Record feature
- First-ever mobile phonetics typewriter
- Scored quizzes and activities
- 350 printable flashcards
- High-quality native-speaker audio

## Recent user reviews (10 of 15)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phonetics-focus/id393109855/reviews.md

### 1/5 — No sound

*2019-02-16, version 1.4*

Wasted money! Needed this app for class. Don’t recommend spending money on this app

### 1/5 — zero stars

*2016-11-08, version 1.4*

horrible app. very polluted and doesn't do anything. waste of money. so annoying...

### 5/5 — Wish it will be good

*2016-05-03, version 1.4*

Still didn't use it.but it keeps asking me to review it.So I am here!

### 5/5 — So much in this App!

*2012-09-18, version 1.3*

I have no problem with the sound of this App. Make sure your mute button on the side of your phone is off! I have been teaching awhile, but it is so helpful and important to have the proper pronunciation of phonetics handy. It is also super cool to record your students and let them hear their improvements. There is a lot more in this app I can't wait to explore and use in my classes. Love it!

### 2/5 — Disappointed

*2012-09-15, version 1.3*

There is no sound.. The buttons do not do anything and it makes me mad i wasted my money on an app that doesn't even work.  I wish I had realized this was not American English before I had purchased it. But it doesn't work anyway so guess it doesn't matter

### 1/5 — I couldn't hear a thing

*2012-08-25, version 1.3*

No sounds, just dummy buttons.

### 5/5 — Great introduction to the IPA!

*2012-07-30, version 1.3*

This is a great introduction to the IPA. Games can be played to quiz yourself; it makes learning fun. 
Suggestions for improvement: 
1-I would love a database of more words.
2- I would like the quizzes to have a random order when they generate their questions.
3- Even though I am American, I like having British sounds, because you can work with more phonemes. Having an American set of words would add to the challenge,learning, and appeal.
4- could diacritical marks be included?
5-In brief, this is a great tool for a teacher in England working with younger students! It is fun to play with and well designed. I am glad I got it! However, if you live in north America and already know a lot about the IPA, the ap could be a disappointment. It needs more words to keep an adult engaged. An enormous amount of words in a expandable database would make this ap a treasure!

### 4/5 — Good but lacking

*2012-02-08, version 1.3*

Good, but missing a few phonemes I think. (ou diphthong) ("er" as in the upside down e with a tail) and a few others. Please keep adding! Such a good app for phonetics classes!

### 5/5 — Useful and varied app--you'll remember IPA.

*2011-12-22, version 1.3*

I had a hard time remembering all the IPA symbols during celta teacher training. This app helps me remember while I'm on my way to work in the subway. The minimal pair activities are great.

### 1/5 — Bad

*2011-12-19, version 1.3*

Doesn't run properly

## Frequently asked questions about Phonetics Focus

### What is Phonetics Focus?

Phonetics Focus is a comprehensive mobile application designed to help users master English pronunciation and understand phonetics. It offers 20 interactive activities, including a unique phonetics typewriter and an interactive phonemic chart.

### Who is Phonetics Focus for?

This app is ideal for students learning English and teachers looking for a tool to enhance their pronunciation lessons. It focuses on the sounds of British English.

### What are the key features of Phonetics Focus?

Key features include an interactive Phonemic Chart with audio examples, a Listen & Record function, a Phonetics Typer for creating phonetic spellings, and various scored quizzes and activities like 'Name that Phoneme!' and 'Minimal Pairs'.

### Does Phonetics Focus offer offline access?

The provided description does not explicitly state whether Phonetics Focus offers offline access for all its features. However, the presence of a 'Phonetics Typewriter' suggests some functionality might be available without an internet connection.

### How much does Phonetics Focus cost?

Phonetics Focus is a paid application, priced at $2.99. There are no mentions of subscription tiers or in-app purchases for additional content.

### What devices are supported by Phonetics Focus?

Phonetics Focus is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It also has compatibility with Apple Watch.

### How often is Phonetics Focus updated?

The app was last updated on April 3, 2015, with version 1.4. This indicates a less frequent update schedule in recent years.

### What is the user sentiment for Phonetics Focus?

User sentiment appears mixed, with the app having a rating of 2.3 stars from 3 ratings. Specific details on user likes or dislikes are not provided in the available data.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.4 — 2015-04-03

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

- Full social media phonetics sharing on Phonetics Typer
- Voice recording email function
- New randomised quizzes
- Quick access activity/flashcard menus on iPhone 5 and above

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All apps by Cambridge English Online Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/386778292

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*
