If a Spanish word ends in a hard consonant like "d", the last syllable of a word is spoken loudest, or emphasized.
Example: oportunidad
You will find, however, that most words end in a vowel or a soft consonant like "n" or "s." For those words, the next-to-last syllable is emphasized.
Any word that deviates from that rule will contain an accent mark to show the correct pronunciation.
Example: rápido
Make a pronunciation chart to help you remember how certain vowels and consonants are pronounced.
Spanish sounds are created toward the front of your mouth (as opposed to the back, as in many English words).
Try to avoid exhaling too much air as you pronounce Spanish words. Hold a piece of paper in front of your lips and try to reduce the movement of the paper as you speak. This feels funny at first, but it helps you pronounce words more accurately. It is also a good tactile learning method.
