1st Edition

Phonology in English Language Teaching An International Approach

By Martha C. Pennington Copyright 1996
    300 Pages
    by Routledge

    300 Pages
    by Routledge

    Phonology in English Language Teaching is an introductory text, specifically directed at the needs of language teachers internationally. Combining an overview of English phonology with structured practical guidance, this text shows how phonology can be applied in the classroom.

    An introductory chapter provides the philosophical framework, followed by separate chapters on the phonology of consonants, vowels and prosody. As well as presenting core material on English phonology, the book explores the relationship of orthography to the English sound system from a historical and a present-day perspective. The final chapter focuses on lesson design and provides practical advice to teachers on diagnosing and responding to students' pronunciation difficulties.

    As central themes, the book examines English seen from the perspective of international usage and considers the relationship of phonology to communication and the broader language curriculum. Consistent with its practical and communicative orientation each chapter concludes with pedagogical exercises and ideas for classroom and community research projects.

    Preface
    To the Reader
    1. Introduction to phonology in language teaching
    Phonology in the context of language teaching
    Language varieties and English
    Perception and production of speech
    The effect of linguistic context on pronunciation
    Introductory activities
    Introductory teaching ideas

    2 Consonants
    Charactersitics of consonants
    The system of English consonants
    Positional variation
    Regional and social variation
    Consonants activities
    Teaching ideas for consonants

    3 Vowels
    Charactersitics of vowels
    The system of English vowels
    Positional variation
    Regional and social variation
    Vowels activities
    Teaching ideas for vowels

    4 Prosody
    The components of prosody
    The marking of prosodic units
    Intonation
    Voive quality
    A prosodic continuum
    Prosody activities
    Teaching ideas for prosody

    5 Phonology and orthography
    Connecting written and spoken language in language learning
    Historical and presnt-day patterns in English orthography
    Relating orthography to pronunciation in the language lesson
    Orthography activities
    Teaching ideas for orthograpy

    6 Pronunciation in the language curriculum
    A place for phonology in the language classroom
    Lesson design for phonology
    An international approach to pronunciation in the language curriculum
    Curriculum activities

    Appendix A: Hierarchical analysis of student pronunciation
    Appendix B: Pedagogical classification of pronunciation errors and problems
    Appendix C: Sample unit plan for teaching the /r/-/l/
    References
    Index

    Biography

    Martha C. Pennington