Stress – some sounds in words and some words in sentences are louder and clearer
than others
Intonation – the rise and fall of the voice; e.g. to show questions or surprise
Steps for Studying Pronunciation
Analyse your pronunciation. You can do this in 2 ways:
Ask a CILL teacher for the Oxford Listening Test. This is a test of your ability to tell
the difference between sounds. If you can’t hear the difference, it’s very
difficult to learn how to pronounce the difference. Make a checklist of your pronunciation
problems.
Make a one-minute recording of yourself reading something, doing a presentation or
discussing something in a seminar. Bring the tape and the text to a CILL teacher, who will
give you advice on what you need to improve. Make a checklist of things to study from this
advice.
2) Decide what areas of pronunciation to study:
Use your checklist to choose a pronunciation area to study, for example, some individual
sounds, stress in words and sentences, or intonation. Listen to the model pronunciation on
the tapes or in the computer programs. Copy the model. When you think you can pronounce it
correctly, check with a CILL teacher.
You can also study the pronunciation of words that you read in your daily life, for
example in your course books. Use the Longman Interactive CD-ROM dictionary to look up a
word and hear and see the pronunciation. Listen to the model pronunciation in the computer
program. Copy the model. When you think you can pronounce it correctly, check with a CILL
teacher.
Keep a record of the pronunciation of new words you learn, either in your CILL
portfolio or
a notebook, or by making a recording of the pronunciation of new words. Revise them two or
three times a week.
Use your new pronunciation skills when you practise speaking. You can speak English in
English lessons, in CILL’s SAP scheme, with the CILL teachers, in English-speaking
clubs and societies, and while practising with friends and classmates.
How to Test Yourself
Do Step 1. again, using either the second Oxford Listening Test, or by making another
one-minute recording of your speaking. Give your checklist and both the old and new
recording or test to a CILL teacher for comments.
Materials
Books (on the Pronunciation shelf, with audio tapes)
Individual Sounds:
Tree and Three (E)
Ship and Sheep (I)
Clear Speech (UI)
Pronunciation Tasks (EI)
Intonation:
Intonation Practice (EI)
All areas:
Headway Pre-intermediate Pronunciation (EI)
Headway Intermediate Pronunciation (I)
Headway Upper-intermediate Pronunciation (UI)
Computer Programs
(in the pronunciation section of the main menu)
‘Sounds’ – for individual sounds, especially of British English
‘Pronunciation Power’ – for individual sounds of American English
Last updated on: Monday, March 26, 2012 Hits: 200 visited
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