Pronunciation: Improving Yours and Your Students

Pronunciation: Theory and Practice Katie BainEnglish Language Fellowktbain53@gmail.comwww.elfellowkbain.wordpress.com

ObjectiveParticipants will become more familiar with general guidelines and strategies to help develop pronunciation skills for both themselves and their students.

RulesBe involved.

Rules2. Be creative.

Rules3. Be realistically open.

Agree or Disagree?Meaning is more important than pronunciation. Pronunciation is easy to teach.Pronunciation is easy to learn. It is important to have a perfect English accent. Pronunciation is the least important element of language teaching. AgendaProsodyDiscussionPractical ApplicationThe Color Vowel ChartWhat is it?How can we use it in the classroom?Other Considerations

Video ViewingStress and Rhythm In American English Pronunciation

ProsodyThe rhythm and melody of English.

(Gilbert, 2008)The pitch makes the difference.Examplea. Jane said, Is that Mister Fogg?b. Jane said, Is that mist or fog?Question: What was Jane talking about?(Gilbert 2005, 136)

(Gilbert, 2008)Syllables are important!Teach your students to count the number of syllables in words. This is a first step in understanding where to put the stress in words.

(Gilbert, 2008)Rhythm and Stressdessert / desert foreign / for rain his story / history

(Gilbert, 2008)Stressed Syllables

Stress mistakes can cause stress! ExampleStudent: Mrs. Stiebel, can you help me with comedy?Teacher: Comedy?Student: Yes, comedy is big problem.Teacher: I dont quite follow.Student: (Patiently) Problem this is worry.Teacher: Yes, a worry. Um . . . you mean you have aproblem with comedy on TV?Student: TV? (Trying again) The boss put me ondepartment comedy. Everybody on comedy, all thetime argue.Teacher: Oh, you mean committee!Student: Yes, what I told you, comedy.

(Gilbert, 2008, p. 5)The stressed word is important!Whats the difference?

I wanted two hamburgers.

I wanted two hamburgers.

(Gilbert, 2008)The Prosody Pyramid

(Gilbert, 2008)Thought GroupsThought groups are separated by

(a) a pause(b) a drop in pitch(c) lengthening of the last stressed syllable (the most subtle signal)

(Gilbert, 2008)Focus Word: The most important word in the thought group

(Gilbert, 2008)The focus word is usually a content word. Content WordsNounVerbAdjectiveAdverb*Usually stressed.

Do you want some pancakes?

Structure WordsPronouns PrepositionsArticlesVerb to be*Usually reduced or de-emphasized.

Do you want some pancakes?

(Gilbert, 2008)This is partly why its difficult for learners to hear and then use affixes of words or certain aspects of grammar. The trick is to help students to notice these words and know how to use them in speech. This comes with a lot of practice and careful attention to detail, which can help students to understand the rhythm and melody of the thought groups they are saying. 19The SCHWA!!!!

The stressed vowel soundWhat causes difficulty in pronouncing vowels?Mouth MechanicsLearning sounds that dont exist or are not common in L1Differences in the rhythm of languagesCrazy English Spelling!Vowel Sounds vs. Vowel Letter Names(Gilbert, 2008)What are two types of vowel sounds?

Two Types of Vowel SoundsAlphabet Vowel SoundsSound like letter namesMakeGreenSizeGoUseWhen spoken, the tongue shifts upward

Relative Vowel SoundsSometimes referred to as shortBatBetBitStopLuckDo not have off-glidesTongue is more stationary

(Gilbert, 2008)Alphabet Vowel Sounds

(Gilbert, 2008)Alphabet Vowel Sounds

(Gilbert, 2008)Spelling Rules for Low-Level Students

The Two Vowel Rule: If there are two vowel letters in a short word, the first vowel sounds like its alphabet name. The second vowel is silent.

cakethese ice cone fruit main cream pie soap Sue

The One Vowel Rule: If there is only one vowel letter in a short word, it sounds like a relative of the alphabet vowel. (Note: No off-glide.)had bed his hot sunJan Ben Kim John Russ(Gilbert, 2008)Spelling Rules for High-Level Students The Two Vowel Rule: If there are two vowel letters in the stressed syllable, the first vowel usually sounds like its alphabet name. The second vowel is silent.

available complete advice approach recruitarrangement agreement mileage unloading accuse

The One Vowel Rule: If there is only one vowel letter in the stressed syllable, it usually sounds like a relative of the alphabet vowel.

apple relative interesting possible redundantadapted integrity articulatory accomplish husbandry(Gilbert, 2008)Consonants!What are two types of consonants?

Two Types of ConsonantsStop ConsonantsFormed by stopping the air flow to the mouth. /b/ /p//d/ /t/ /g/ /k/Continuant ConsonantsCan be continued as long as desired.

All other English consonant sounds are continuants or combinations between continuants and stops (like in church and judge).

(Gilbert, 2008)Stop vs. Continuant

(Gilbert, 2008)Video ViewingStress and Rhythm In American English Pronunciation

How can this knowledge affect your instruction?

Pronunciation Part 2

Vowel Discovery ActivityWork with a small group or in partners. Sort your words into two groups according to their vowel sounds.There are two color words that are the titles of each group.There are five total words (including the color word) in each group. Present your words to the class on the board. The Color Vowel Chart

How do you use the Color Vowel Chart?Once youve identified the stressed syllable, identify the color of the stressed vowel the peak. Your Names!Food VocabularyCarrotAppleMangoWatermelonBananaZucchini Broccoli AvocadoLettuce Other topics?More Video ViewingDemonstration of Color Vowel Chart

Color Vowel YogaPart 3: Activities

Try to have students LISTEN first.(Thompson, 2012)

Use rubber bands to emphasize stress(Thompson, 2012)

Make Color Word Charts (Thompson, 2012)

Engage students in QUALITY REPETITION.

(Gilbert, 2008)Choral Reading

Linking Words in Sentences Example ExerciseHave students practice linking with /s/ in thefollowing sentences.1. The boats entered the water.2. The coats all need to be cleaned.3. She has less of everything.4. Is the boss in the office?5. The nights are long here.(from Gilbert 2005, 82)Practice Intonation with Kazoos

(Gilbert, 2008) Would you like french fries or chips? Ive never been to the zoo before. I dont know which way to go. If it rains, no one will come to class.

Repeat Dialogues Various Times in Different Voices and Volumes A: Hi! How are you?B: Good, thanks. How are you?A: Great! Are you going to the party this weekend?B: You bet I am! Are you?A: Yep! What are you going to bring?B: I think Ill bring some cheese. A: Okay, Ill bring some bread. See ya there!B: See ya there!Use Jazz ChantsHow do you spell dog? d-o-g How do you spell cat? c-a-t How do you spell octopus? Dont ask me!

Jazz Chant Video(Thompson, 2012)

Grammarchant: Irregular Verbs from Grammar Chants by Carolyn Graham

Say, said. Stop on red. Eat, ate. Dont be late. Break, broke. Have a coke. Take, took. Learn to cook. Speak, spoke. Tell a joke. Write, wrote. Get off the boat!

(Thompson, 2012)

IF IT RAINS ILL WEAR MY RAINCOAT BY CAROLYN GRAHAM

If it rains / Ill wear my raincoat. If it doesnt rain / I wont. When its cold / I always wear my gloves. When it isnt cold, / I dont. If it snow I wont wear sandals. If the sun comes out I will. But if it rains Ill wear my brand new coat. If I dont Ill get a chill. (Thompson, 2012)Use Poems!

(Thompson, 2012)Another PoemHug O'Warfrom the book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1974)

I will not play at tug o' war.I'd rather play at hug o' war,Where everyone hugsInstead of tugs,Where everyone gigglesAnd rolls on the rug,Where everyone kisses,And everyone grins,And everyone cuddles,And everyone wins.

What other strategies do you have for your students?

SourcesGilbert, J. B. (2008).Teaching pronunciation using the prosody pyramid. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.Thompson, S. (2012, May 12). Speaking clearly: Activities for improving pronunciation.Shaping the Way We Teach Webinar Series. [Webinar]. Retrieved from http://shapingenglish.ning.com/page/page/list?q=pronunciationTaylor, K., Thompson, S. (2013, September 26). Teaching spoken english with the color vowel chartShaping the Way We Teach Webinar Series. [Webinar]. Retrieved from http://shapingenglish.ning.com/page/webinar-11-2

THANK YOU!Katie Bainktbain53@gmail.comwww.elfellowkbain.wordpress.com