Getting Started

This website contains information and tips that I, and many of my lipreading friends have found to be useful. Take from this anything that will be of use to you.

Remember there is no substitute for attending lipreading classes but these sessions could help you to practise lipreading.

Remember we are not using letter names when we practise lipreading; we are using the sounds that the letters make!

Always keep in mind whenever you are lipreading it is important to know the context.

We need to find out what people are talking about!

There is no set format for using this website but you may find it useful to read all the information first.

It will also be more useful to follow the sound sessions first. I have put the sound video clips in the order that seems best to me to follow.

You can practise the sounds within the given passages. There are two levels of passages for you to practise.

You may also wish to use the words section for practice too.

Before we start I need to tell you how I have structured the sessions.

Most of the sessions look at the various sounds and are divided into:

1. Using a video clip to practise the look and shape of the sound
2. Using a video clip of a short passage to practise lipreading the sound in context, both from the front and from a profile angle.
3. Lists of words to practise the lip shape and movement of each sound and sometimes exercises for you to try if you want to. (When forming the sounds, using a mirror to look at yourself, can be useful and working with a partner is useful too.)
4. Sometimes I shall say the sounds or words from the front and to the side.
5. Sometimes for practice purposes I shall switch off my voice and just give you the lipreading experience.

There is a video guide which shows where the control keys can be found. It would be useful to familiarise yourself with this.

Remember when you are using the video clips, there are some key points that will be helpful.

1. Remember:

• there is a lot of repetition in the instructions. This is deliberate so that you can recognise the instructions easily when you have turned the volume and subtitles off.
• to use the pause key to go over and practise what you have lipread.
• turn the volume down or off whilst practising
• turn the volume back up to check what you have lipread
• turn the subtitles off whilst practising
• turn the subtitles back on to check what you have lipread
• when lipreading the passages, try to use the context to help you make sense of what you are lipreading.

To get started select a video clip and click the play button.