Teaching Pronunciation in the ESL Classroom. Questions to Consider How do we define correct...
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Teaching Pronunciation in the ESL Classroom. Questions to Consider How do we define correct pronunciation? What “pronunciation” goals should we set for
Questions to Consider How do we define correct pronunciation?
What pronunciation goals should we set for our Ss? How do we remain
sensitive to the needs of our Ss when teaching pronunciation? Need
to be understood, varying desires to achieve better pronunciation,
embarrassment about poor pronunciation
Slide 3
Pronunciation in the Language Classroom The number of
Non-Native English Speakers is increasing. English Pronunciation
can differ depending upon where it is learned. Comprehensibility is
important. In other words, it is important that our Ss can
understand others, and other people can understand our Ss. Studying
pronunciation can help Ss improve their ability to hear intonation
and sound patterns which will in turn help them improve their
listening skills and ability to decipher underlying meaning. The
ability to pronounce words properly is difficult for language
learners because they actually have to train their muscles to
produce sounds and sound patterns that may not exist in their
native language.
Slide 4
Pronunciation for Comprehensibility English is spoken around
the world. Australians pronounce words differently than Americans.
Americans pronounce words differently than British speakers of
English. Our goal is to understand and to be understood. We want to
speak English in order to communicate with one another effectively.
When we work on pronunciation, our goal does not have to be to have
perfect American pronunciation. Our goals are to understand others
and to be understood !
Slide 5
Benefits of Pronunciation People understand us better We
understand others and improve our listening skills We improve our
writing and note-taking skills
Slide 6
How to Approach Teaching Pronunciation
Slide 7
When to Teach Pronunciation Designated Class Time As it Comes
up
Slide 8
What Pronunciation Issues Should Be Addressed? 1.What
pronunciation errors do you continually hear in your classrooms? 2.
Determine how seriously these pronunciation errors interfere with
intelligibility. 3. Decide your pronunciation priorities. How
important is covering the pronunciation feature for Ss
communication needs? Analyzing pronunciation issues that negatively
affect Ss intelligibility can help you prioritize areas for
improvement 4. Research the matte r
Slide 9
Teachers Goal You can use explicit instruction when teaching
pronunciation with the purpose of helping Ss recognize aspects of
pronunciation patterns involved in speech. Raising awareness of
various sounds and sound patterns can help Ss with
comprehensibility. In addition, encouraging Ss to practice sound
patterns when they are away from the classroom is important.
Teaching aims to enable Ss to develop strategies for coping on
their own and for continuing to learn.
Slide 10
Pronunciation Issues in the Language Classroom
Slide 11
Pronunciation Issues Native Language Transfer No Sound
Equivalent in the Students L1 Learner Motivation Age and Aptitude
Accent Identity: Sociocultural Factors Differing L1s in the
Classroom Setting Fossilized Errors Speech Impediments Past English
Language Learning Environment
Slide 12
How to Address Issues Accent exposure Rough tune your speech
Teach that making mistakes is a part of the learning process
Encourage Ss to practice what they have learned outside of the
classroom environment Exploit knowledge of Ss L1s to address areas
of difficulty in their L2 (if possible) Read Ss body posturing and
facial expressions to determine whether to further address areas of
difficulty or to move past them Teach students how to analyze their
own speech
Slide 13
Teaching Pronunciation Present: Raise students awareness
Practice: Engage in controlled practice Production: Produce
language in a more communicative, less controlled manner NOTE: This
could extend over the course of several lessons. You may have to
revisit the topic much more than once. Once you see that learners
have gained control, you can then have Ss use the newly acquired
feature in more creative, communicative exchanges.
Slide 14
Teaching Pronunciation Segmental Level Segmentals : inventory
of vowel and consonant sounds
Slide 15
Segmental Level: Inventory of Sounds Phoneme: Individual Sounds
/M/, /N/ Vowel : Sound produced when the flow of air from the lungs
is not blocked and the vocal chords are vibrating. Changing the
position of the tongue can produce different vowel sounds.
Consonants: Sounds made by blocking the air flow coming from the
lungs. Consonant Clusters : Consonant Combination /TCH/, /CH/,
/SH/, /BR/ Diphthong : Combination of two vowel sounds put together
/OU/, /AI/
Slide 16
Teaching Pronunciation Initial Approach : Ss have to develop
muscle memory. Some sound patterns made in English do not exist in
other languages; therefore, Ss have to learn the mechanics. As a
result, achieving proper pronunciation can be very challenging.
Teach Mechanics of Articulation : The goal is to teach Ss what
their lips (shape), tongue, jaw (relaxed/not relaxed), teeth, and
air flow are doing in order to produce sound so that Ss can try to
recreate the sound. Purpose : Drawing attention to the way that
particular sounds are made can help Ss recognize how to reproduce
sound. Bring awareness through teaching with the intention of
giving Ss the tools to practice on their own.
Slide 17
Teaching Techniques
Slide 18
Mechanical Reproduction Tongue Twisters Songs Poems Listening
Discrimination Dictation Exercises Speaking and Listening Groups
Voiced vs. Voiceless
Slide 19
Manner of Articulation Sounds in English
http://www.slideshare.net/jdspider/manner-of-articulation
Slide 20
Teaching Techniques Teaching Aids : Use the internet, the
board, a sagittal diagram, mirrors, speakers, recordings, etc.
Minimal Pairs : A pair of words that differ by only one sound
Identification Drill Contrast Vowels: pan vs. pen land vs. lend
Contrast Consonants: thank vs. sank thick vs. sick Isolation bit
beat beat beat tan tan ten tan pool pool pool pull Sentences John
bit the dog. John beat the dog. Show me your bag. Show me your
back.
Slide 21
Sample Tongue Twister
Slide 22
Teaching Ideas
Slide 23
Voiced vs. Voiceless Voiced vs. Voiceless Voiced : There is
vibration in your throat. You can hear the sound. Voiced : There is
vibration in your throat. You can hear the sound. (All Vowel Sounds
and B, G, L, M, N, R, V, Y, Z and voiced TH) Voiceless : There is
no vibration in your throat. You cannot hear the sound. You hear
the manipulation of air. Voiceless : There is no vibration in your
throat. You cannot hear the sound. You hear the manipulation of
air. (F, K, P, S, SH, TCH, X, or voiceless TH) Lets Compare: F/V
P/B K/G T/D Teaching Voiced vs. Voiceless helps when teaching the
following : Words that end with /-S/ or /-ES/ Words that end with
/-D/ or /-ED/
Slide 24
/F/ & /V/ 1.Description and Analysis 2.Discrimination
Practice 3.Controlled Practice 4.Guided Practice 5.Communicative
Practice
Slide 25
/F/ & /V/ /F/ Voiceless /V/ Voiced FailVeil FaceVase
FerryVery FanVan Practice Reading with your Partner I carry flowers
in my van. Mr. Ford votes on bills. Friday is a very special day.
Feel free to drive to Virginia in Bobs van.
Slide 26
Teacher Reads /F/ & /V/ Discrimination 1. 1.fan fan van 2.
2.veil fail veil 3. 3.face face vase 4. 4.very ferry very
Slide 27
/F/ & /V/ Discrimination 1. 1.3 Fan fan van 2. 2.2 Veil
fail veil 3. 3.3 Face face vase 4. 4.2 Very ferry very
Slide 28
Teacher reads /F/ & /V/ Teacher Dictation 1. 1.I have four
volleyballs. 2. 2.The funny man drove his van very fast. 3. 3.I bet
Fran went to the vet.
Slide 29
/F/ & /V/ Teacher Dictation 1. 1.I have four volleyballs.
2. 2.The funny man drove his van very fast. 3. 3.I bet Fran went to
the vet.
Slide 30
/F/ & /V/ Partner Dictation I have a fancy vase full of
violet flowers for my very special lover.
Slide 31
/F/ & /V / Partner Dictation I was very sad when Fran flew
to France for a volleyball tournament on Valentines Day.
Pronunciation Rules: Regular Past Tense Verbs When a regular
verb ends with a voiced sound, the ed ending is pronounced /d/.
When a regular verb ends in an unvoiced sound, the ed ending is
pronounced /t/. The ed ending is pronounced /id/ when the verb ends
in the sounds /t/ and /d/. Voiceless= /t/ Voiced= /d/ /t/ or /d/=
/id/ fixlovewait laughenjoydecide kissopenreport workcareremind
dancesnorecorrect
Slide 34
Pronunciation Improvement Tips Learners acquire languages most
effectively when they are active participants Encourage
independent, pair and small group work Explain to Ss that errors
are a natural part of the learning process Provide Ss with
feedback, but dont interrupt the flow of speech Encourage Ss to
watch the mouths of speakers and to listen to native speakers
pronunciation patterns and imitate what they hear
Slide 35
Teaching Pronunciation Suprasegmental Level Suprasegmentals:
covers more than one sound segment. The suprasegmental level of
pronunciation focuses upon features of stress, rhythm, intonation,
and connected speech. There is emphasis on discourse context and
the speakers intent.
Slide 36
Pronunciation: Suprasegmental Level Stress : Degree of force or
loudness you give to a syllable in a word or to words in a phrase
or sentence. Stress provides the rhythm of the language and
intonation provides the melody. Rhythm : The way a language sounds
as a result of the pattern of stress and unstressed syllables in
speech. Intonation: The way the voice goes up and down over a line
of speech: the music of speech. Pitch: The level (high or low) at
which we speak. We can change the pitch of our voice to give a
certain message. Pitch is crucial for getting our meaning across.
Yes can mean I agree, maybe, you cant be serious, you are so right
just by the pitch used. Connected Speech : The way we blend words
together (gonna, wanna, hafta)
Slide 37
Teaching Pronunciation Initial Approach : Every language has a
system of sounds, stress, and intonation patterns that give it a
rhythm and melody. When speech is unintelligible, conversation
becomes difficult. Improper intonation can cause speakers to be
perceived as abrupt or even rude. Learning to recognize stress and
intonation patterns can help learners understand and be understood.
Teach Mechanics : We want to teach Ss what intonation, stress,
rhythm, etc. are, and allow Ss to recognize and practice patterns
in speech. Purpose : By studying how to use pitch, intonation,
stress, rhythm, Ss can develop an ear for language and how to use
pronunciation patterns when speaking. Bringing awareness will help
students to begin to recognize these patterns. This can in turn
help them to understand underlying meaning.
Slide 38
Teaching Techniques
Slide 39
Script Practice Pair Work Listening Discrimination Recorded
Dialogue Speaking and Listening Groups Story Telling Nursery Rhymes
Poems Ballads
Slide 40
Teaching Techniques Teaching Aids : Tapping, clapping, drawing
symbols to show stress or arrows to show intonation; Using kazoos,
rubber bands, hand gesturing, and recording voice; practicing
scripts pair scripts, etc. The rhythm of English moves from stress
to stress no matter how many unstressed syllables fall in between.
Tap out a beat; keep the beat the same for all four examples.
Reduce the function words or say them quickly. MEN FIGHT WARS the
MEN FIGHT WARS the MEN will FIGHT WARS The MEN will FIGHT the WARS.
Keep the rhythm
Slide 41
Teaching Techniques Demonstration There are multiple ways to
say the same thing. Meaning can depend upon context: Jazz Chants
Example :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYwoLZso7shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYwoLZso7s
Did he go to Paris last week?No, she went to Paris last week. Is
Sue going to Paris?No, she went to Paris last week. Did Sue go to
Rome last week?No, she went to Paris last week. Did she go last
year?No, she went to Paris last week.
Slide 42
Lets Practice Its warm in here. Request for someone to open the
window Request for someone to open the window You have been outside
in the cold and you just came in the house You have been outside in
the cold and you just came in the house You are unsure if it is
warm in a particular room, so you phrase it as a question You are
unsure if it is warm in a particular room, so you phrase it as a
question Express agreement Express agreement
Slide 43
Intonation: Partner Dialogue A: Hi, how are you? B: Fine, thank
you. And you? A: Just great. So, what have you been doing lately?
B: Oh, not much. But I've been keeping busy. A: Well...it's been
good to see you. B: You too...bye! A: Goodbye. eslflow.com
Slide 44
Intonation: Dialogue Scenarios 1) Two people who have just met
but don't really know each other, and feel obligated to engage in
small talk in the elevator 2) A sick person in a hospital and a
friend who visits 3) Two people who have trouble hearing clearly 4)
A single man and woman who are shy but attracted to one another 5)
A single man attracted to a woman who is not attracted to him 6) An
intimidating teacher and a student who is nervous to see the
teacher 7) Two people who were angry at each other and just saw
each other for the first time in years, but who are trying to act
nice 8) A landlord and his overdue tenant
Slide 45
Pronunciation Resources Manner of Articulation of Sounds in
English: http://www.slideshare.net/jdspider/manner-of-articulation
http://www.slideshare.net/jdspider/manner-of-articulation Anatomy
of Articulators:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/anatomy.htm
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/index.html#
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/anatomy.htm
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/index.html#
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/anatomy.htm
http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/index.html# Speech Accent
Archive: http://accent.gmu.edu/resources.php
http://accent.gmu.edu/resources.php English Pronunciation &
Listening: http://international.ouc.bc.ca/pronunciation/
http://international.ouc.bc.ca/pronunciation/ Pronunciation at
eslflow.com: http://www.eslflow.com/pronunciationlessonplans.html
http://www.eslflow.com/pronunciationlessonplans.html American Clear
Speech Sounds:
http://www.paulnoll.com/Books/Clear-Speech/index.html
http://www.paulnoll.com/Books/Clear-Speech/index.html ESL
Pronunciation at rong-chang.comhttp://www.rong-
chang.com/pronunciation.htm
http://www.rong-chang.com/mjc/pronunciation/ http://www.rong-
chang.com/pronunciation.htm
http://www.rong-chang.com/mjc/pronunciation/http://www.rong-
chang.com/pronunciation.htm
http://www.rong-chang.com/mjc/pronunciation/
Slide 46
Closing Questions Can pronunciation times be planned? Can
pronunciation be gone over as it comes up? What are some methods
you can use to teach pronunciation?
Slide 47
Youtube.com/BridgeTEFL. (Producer). (2009). Teaching
Pronunciation with Jazz Chants - TEFLVideos.com [Internet Video].
Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYwoLZso7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYwoLZso7s Celce-Murcia, M.,
Brinton, D. M., & Goodwin, J. M. (2010) Teaching pronunciation:
A reference for teachers of English to speakers of other languages.
Cambridge University Press. References