Have you ever been sure that you were pronouncing a word correctly only to find out just how wrong you were? On today's Education Tips, we will talk about four American English pronunciation apps.

Say It: Pronunciation

(iOS l Android)

Users of Say It: Pronunciation can practice more than 35, 000 words.

With the app, you can:

 Take a pronunciation test of words pre-chosen by the app, from easy to difficult

 Touch letters from the IPA to hear what each sounds like

 And choose a time that you want to practice and get reminders from the app each day

But its usability is limited. You would need to get full use of the app with $6.99.

ELSA Speak

(iOS l Android)

ESLA Speak uses artificial intelligence (AI), to act as your own American English pronunciation teacher.

With the app, you can:

 Take a speaking test to help you understand your biggest pronunciation problems

 After the test, ELSA Speak puts together your personalized lesson plans

 Do four different types of lessons: pronunciation, listening, syllable stress and conversation

 And share your pronunciation recording with a friend or teacher

It has a free 7-day trial version, after which, you would need to pay for the full version, ranging from $0.99 - $99.

Accent Training

(iOS l Android)

It was designed for iPad and can operate on an iPhone. It also has an Android version, which goes by the name American English Accent Guide.

With the app, you can:

 Practice listening to and using reduced speech

 Read along as you listen to short passages and see, in red, which phrases are reduced

 Take a test on conversations with the computer

The app is free, but unwanted ads show up often. You can choose whether to pay $2.99 to remove them.

English Pronunciation Tutor

(iOS l Android)

On Android, the app is called American English Pronunciation Tutor.

With the app, you can:

 Focus on one element of pronunciation in each unit. For instance, Unit l is about the front vowels

 Record yourself saying words and compare yourself to the model

 And take a listening quiz on the sounds of each unit

The app is free for the first unit only. After that, you would pay $5.99 to activate the full version.

If you’re looking for a new book to read, you’re in luck-every October sees the most books published in a single day and this year it falls on October 12. These are some of the biggest new titles to pick up.

●A Stroke of the Pen by Terry Pratchett, priced £20.

It contains 20 short stories written in the seventies and eighties in the last century. This delightful collection is inventive and engaging, often with a twisty end. The comedic fantasies that shape this book make a fun read.

●A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand, priced £16. 99. Available now.

It is a read attracting readers’ curiosity to the end and the end is beyond expectation. The short chapters, complex characters, and beautifully yet scarily written descriptions make the novel an irresistible page-turner.

●Divine Might by Natalie Haynes, priced £20. Available now.

You’ve likely heard their names — Hera, Demeter, The Furies — and you may think you know their stories. But Haynes’ manages to give these well-known Greek goddesses a new voice by telling their story from a different view.

●Secrets of the Forest by Alicia Klepeis, illustrated by Kristen Adam, priced £14. 99. Available now.

American children’s author Alicia Klepeis has over 170 works for young audiences to her name, all with an educational angle. Through these delightful bite-sized bedtime stories, readers are guided to learn about the real biology and behavior of the incredible creatures. These stories should be treasured and handed down through generations to come.

Choice of Walks for Beginner and Experienced Walkers

The Carlow Autumn Walking Festival is a great opportunity for the beginner, experienced or advanced walker to enjoy the challenges of Carlow’s mountain hikes or the peace of its woodland walks.

With environmentalist Éanna Lamhna as the guide, this walk promises to be an informative tour. Walkers are sure to learn lots about the habitats and natural world of the Blackstairs.

Date and Time: Saturday, 1st October, at 09:00

Start Point: Scratoes Bridge

Walk Duration: 6 hours

Emmanuel Chappard, an experienced guide, has a passion for making the great outdoors accessible to all. This mountain walk provides an insight into the skills required for hillwalking to ensure you get the most from future walking trips.

Date and Time: Sunday, 2nd October, at 09:00

Start Point: Deerpark Car Park

Walk Duration: 5 hours

Walking at night-time is a great way to step out of your comfort zone. Breathtaking views of the lowlands of Carlow can be enjoyed in the presence of welcoming guides from local walking clubs. A torch (手电筒) along with suitable clothing is essential for walking in the dark. Those who are dressed inappropriately will be refused permission to participate.

Date and Time: Saturday, 1st October, at 18:30

Start Point: The Town Hall

Walk Duration: 3 hours

This informative walk led by Richard Smyth introduces you to the basic principles of photography in the wild. Bring along your camera and enjoy the wonderful views along this well-surfaced forest path.

Date and Time: Sunday, 2nd October, at 11:45

Start Point: Kilbrannish Forest Recreation Area

Walk Duration: 1.5 hours