When learning a British accent—specifically Standard Southern British English (SSBE), often called modern RP—one sound that trips up many learners is the L.

This guide will help you understand how to pronounce light L and dark L correctly, avoid common mistakes, and practise with confidence.

Whether you’re refining your pronunciation for work, acting, or personal growth, these techniques will give you clarity and confidence in your speech.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

The tongue position for the L sound
The difference between light L and dark L
When to use each sound in a Standard Southern British English accent
Practical exercises to train your tongue and ears

How to Position Your Tongue for L

In a Standard Southern British English accent:

The tip of your tongue touches the gum ridge (alveolar ridge) just behind your upper front teeth.
The back of your tongue changes position depending on whether it’s a light or dark L (more on that below).

Quick test: Say “Laura” or “lazy”. You’ll notice your tongue tip touches the roof of your mouth. That’s the correct base position.

Light L vs Dark L: What’s the Difference?

The quality of an L sound depends on where the back of your tongue is positioned:

Light L (Clear L)

Back of tongue: Low in the mouth
Where it appears: At the start of words (e.g., light, love) and before vowels
Sound: Bright and forward

Practice: Say “ahhh” (like at the doctor) and then glide into “Laura.” Keep the space open in the back of your mouth.

Dark L (Velarised L)

Back of tongue: Raised towards the soft palate
Where it appears: At the end of words (e.g., feel, ball) or before consonants (e.g., milk, cold)
Sound: Deeper, slightly “darker” resonance in the back of the mouth

Practice: Say “oo” (as in who) and then glide into “school” or “toggle.” Notice how the back of your tongue stays high.

Use the video below to help you understand, hear and imitate the light and dark L sounds.

When to Use Light and Dark L in a British Accent

Use Light L:

At the start of words (love, lake)
Before vowel sounds (filament, happily)

Use Dark L:

At the end of words (feel, ball)
Before consonants (milk, cold)

Watch out: If a word ends in L but is immediately followed by a vowel (without a pause), the L often stays light:

“Feel awful” → light L

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Rounding your lips instead of lifting your tongue tip (“tall” becomes “tor-w”).

Fix it: Add a vowel after the L (“taller”) to encourage the correct tongue rise, then pause before the added sound and you should now be pronouncing the L.

You might be using only dark Ls or only light Ls.

Fix it: Practise both types of L in contrasting pairs (leap - peal, lip - pill, lane - nail…).

Phonetic Symbols for L Sounds

Light L: /l/
Dark L: /ɫ/

In most dictionaries, you’ll see the /l/ phonetic symbol used for both, but knowing this distinction is essential for sounding authentic in this particular British accent.

Practice Sentences: Light L & Dark L

Try these out loud (the light Ls are underlined and the dark Ls are in bold):

Laura left a lovely letter in the living room.
The lake was set in an idyllic location, nestled beneath the hillside.
Louise listened to the bells playing in the distance.
Alex limped home holding his bleeding elbow.

Want to Master Every British English Sound?

British English Pronunciation Roadmap
My comprehensive ebook gives you everything you need to perfect your pronunciation:

324 pages of expert guidance
12 hours of audio for practice
Step-by-step methods to refine every sound in Standard Southern British English

Discover the ebook here

FAQs About Pronouncing L in a British Accent

What’s the difference between light L and dark L?
The light L has the back of the tongue lowered, making it sound brighter. The dark L raises the back of the tongue, creating a deeper resonance.

How can I tell if I’m pronouncing L correctly?
Use a mirror: in a light L, you should see the underside of your tongue’s tip near the front of your mouth. In a dark L, it’s pulled back and less visible.

Why does my L sound like a “w”?
You’re probably rounding your lips instead of lifting your tongue tip. Try adding a vowel after the L (“feel-ing”) to retrain your muscle memory.

Can I train both L sounds at the same time?
Yes—alternate between light and dark L words in your practice sessions for balance.

Final Thoughts

The L sound may seem simple, but mastering the light and dark variations is crucial for sounding natural in a Standard Southern British English accent.

Focus on tongue placement.
Practise little and often with contrasting words and sentences.
Listen carefully and mimic native speakers.

Ashley Howard is a UK-based voice coach with 18+ years of experience helping professionals and individuals develop clear, authentic, and confident communication.

How to Pronounce L in a British Accent: Master Light and Dark L Sounds