https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/the-secret-to-speaking-like-a-native-it-starts-with-pronunciation

The importance of pronunciation

These new pronunciation classes are designed to do more than just fix mistakes —they help you really understand how sounds work and can change the meaning of words. 

Students are encouraged to think about those sounds which don’t exist in English. In the German course, for example, you’ll learn how to hear and say important consonants and vowels using a clear, step-by-step method. You’ll spend time on tricky sounds like the German “ch” in ich and Buch, which can be tough for learners and also on the rounded vowels “ö” and “ü”, which need a bit of practice to get right.

Instead of just repeating words over and over, the course uses helpful diagrams showing how the mouth moves, and guided practice to help you get a feel for how German sounds are made. This way, you’re not just copying.

One of the main goals of these classes is to help you understand how sounds work in the language you’re learning. For example, you’ll learn about vowel length—how long a vowel is held or drawn out when you say it. In Swedish, this can actually change the meaning of a word! Think of glas (glass) with a long vowel, versus glass (ice cream) with a short one. You’ll get lots of support to hear and say these differences correctly. By exploring these kinds of concepts in practice, you’ll start to see pronunciation as something physical—like a skill you can train and improve, just like playing an instrument or learning a sport.