1. Web resources
There are many web sites where you can practice IPA. For example, UW has developed a web-based IPA tutorial at http://depts.washington.edu/llc/olr/linguistics/LIN_004/index.php . (If the link fails to work, you can also access this site from the Language Learning Center home page by clicking "Linguistics" in the left-hand column, and then choosing "IPA Tutorial".) Another excellent site is the University of Iowa phonetics page, which includes animations showing articulatory motions. A third site is an excellent introduction to IPA, with sound files, at the University of Lausanne web site. (Use the link in the left-hand column to navigate through the IPA explanations and examples.)
2. LLC resources (note: I am not sure if these resources are still available or function exactly as described here)
There are several computer programs at the Language Learning Center (basement of Denny Hall, Room 112) which are simple to use and helpful in learning IPA. Brief instructions are given here about how to use the programs. You may also ask at the LLC to consult the linguistics department Staff Associate (SA), who is familiar with these materials.
Sit down at one of the Macintoshes with headphones. From the menu, select "Linguistics" and then click the "Log In" button. You will be prompted for a password. Use the one given to you in class.
You are now given two choices, "Linguistics" and "Phonetic Training Tools". First, choose "Linguistics". There are three programs here which are useful, described in more detail below:
Phonetics 200
This program lets you practice the IPA symbols for vowels that occur in English
Sounds of the World's Languages
This program has a list of languages, a world map with languages on it, and an IPA chart. Different words are played through the headphones so you can hear the sounds. You may want to
You can also play around with other languages, for example you may want to listen to "click" sounds.
Transcription
The simplest mode lets you choose a category of sounds (e.g. stops, affricates, nasals, etc.). The computer will play a sound from the category, and then you click on the matching IPA symbol. The more difficult mode plays a whole English word, and you click on a series of IPA symbols to represent the whole word.
If when you log in you choose "Phonetic Training Tools" instead of "Linguistics", you will find another series of useful programs. (You can switch between "Linguistics" and "Phonetic Training Tools" using the menu just to the right of the clock.) The most relevant one is the "IPA Trainer".
IPA Trainer
When you click on an IPA symbol, you will hear the sound pronounced, and also see a moving diagram showing its articulation.
If you have trouble with these instructions or any of the programs described here, please contact me and let me know!