ATEL Conference 5 May 2012

A new approach to pronunciation

Adrian Underhill

Blog: adrianpronchart.wordpress.com

Pronunciation infuses all language:

ReadingWriting

Speaking Listening Thinking

Remembering

But … general observation…?

a. Pronunciation is neglected in favour of grammar, vocabulary…

b. Pronunciation is the Cinderella of language teaching…?

c. The third dimension…

d. The ‘pronunciation slot’ a disintegrated approach 

Two problems for pronunciation

a. Pronunciation seen as mysterious, endless. Lack of thinking tool or map

b. It is cognitively taught when it should be physical, muscular

Two solutions

Solution 1: The chart

It provides a map, a thinking tool, a complete gestalt,

Solution 2: Physicality

Teach it physically, as if a subtle inner dance

Reconnect with the muscles that make the difference. This also makes it visible.

The muscle buttons:

1. Tongue (moving forward and back)2. Lips (spreading and bringing back, or rounding and pushing forward)3. Jaw + tongue (moving them up and down) 4. Voice (turning it on or off, to make voiced or unvoiced sounds)

Summary

Chart as geographic mapPhysical and visible approach

Use of chart as worktableFew special materials

Possibility for full integrationMistakes are syllabus

We are NOT teaching symbols …

Further information:

Blog: adrianpronchart.wordpress.com

App: SOUNDS The pronunciation app

Book: Sound Foundations (Macmillan)

Online: Online links to demos, videos etc

This Is Just To Say

I have eatenthe plums

that were inthe icebox

and whichyou were probably

savingfor breakfast.

Forgive methey were delicious

so sweetand so cold.

William Carlos Williams

Macmillan Books for TeachersA selection of titles:

Teaching English Grammar by Jim Scrivener

400 Ideas for Interactive Whiteboards by Sharma, Barrett, Jones

Learning Teaching 3rd edition (with DVD)by Jim Scrivener

500 Activities for the Primary Classroomby Carol Read

Sound Foundationsby Adrian Underhill

SOUNDS: The pronunciation app

The ultimate mobile English pronunciation aid for students and

teachers.

Based on the best-selling Macmillan title Sound Foundations by Adrian

Underhill

SOUNDS helps you study, practise and play with British and American

pronunciation

cabbage roughbroken sand

no often pressure rose

violin telephone rainbow goblin

chocolate forgetbottle blue

friendship salt