on the English word:

courteous

Why is it that this word is difficult to pronounce properly? (Hear how the word is supposed to sound like here and here.)

A typical Filipino would say it as "kor-chos" and understand the word, no questions asked. But of course, as an English tutor, I would need to know how it's supposed to sound like with an American accent.

And since I can't say the damn word properly (or how it's supposed to sound like with an American accent anyway), I'm resorting to giving my lesson an alternative title: Polite Expressions.

Problem solved.