There is a huge selection of pronunciation software available on the market today.  With pronunciation software you need to take a little time to research what is available on the market to help with the problem you are having. Some softwares target different pronunciation problems than others.

Here are a couple of quick points to keep in mind:

1. does the software target the problem you (or your students) have
2. is it nothing more than flashcards with a shiny interface (BAD)
3. does it provide visual feedback to the students in the form of voicewaves? (GOOD)
4. is the content reasonably realistic (GOOD) or totally fake a contrived (BAD)

Here are a few pronunciation software packages that are worth looking at.  Keep in mind that they don't all do the same things.

• BetterAccent:
  Pronunciation software designed to help students with American English pronunciation issues.
• Pronunciation Power
  Comes in two versions (PP1 and PP2), both of which are excellent.  They provide many opportunities and a variety of methods for students to practice over 40 different touble areas.
• Accent Technologies
  This software allows students to record their voice and then see visual representations of how their voice compares with a sample.  This lets them see where their voice is different from the standard pronunciation allowing them to target specific problems areas in their own pronunciation.
  American Speech Sounds
  A basic "repeat after me" software where the students listen to a sample and then speak it back into the computer via their microphone.  Not the most exciting software, but OK.
• Pronunciation Patterns:
  Helps students deal with both word level and sentence level pronunciation issues by working on phonics and the connections between sounds in speech.  Prices vary depending on the version, but a Demo is available on their site.
• Connected Speech:
  The main focus of Connected Speech is sentence level (suprasegmental) work.  Some of the content is a little 'forced' and made for ESL, but it is very popular in our lab.
• Pro-Nunciation Sound Lab and Mouth Exercises
  Provides students with a large collection of activities that work on individual sounds and phrase/sentence level intonation patterns.

 Hope this helps,

Cheers,

Eric

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