Here are a number of tips and strategies for improving one of the most difficult areas of the English language - PRONUNCIATION. Here are some self-study tips and strategies you may want to try.
Word stress is the key to understanding spoken English. English is considered a stress-timed language, which means certain syllables receive more stress than others while the other non-stressed words are quickly glided over. Native speakers of English use word stress naturally. It’s so natural for them that they don't even know they use it. Word stress is not used in all languages. Some languages, Japanese or French for example, pronounce each syllable with e-qual em-pha-sis. So, non-native speakers who don’t use correct word stress often encounter two problems:
1. They find it difficult to understand native speakers, especially those speaking fast.
2. The native speakers may, in turn, find it difficult to understand the non-native speakers.
So, what exactly is ‘word stress’? Native speakers of English do not say each syllable with the same force or strength. In one word, they accentuate ONE syllable. They say one syllable loudly and clearly and all the other syllables more quietly.
Let's take 3 words: photograph, photographer, and photographic. Do they sound the same when spoken? No. Here’s why:
PHO to graph
pho TO graph er
pho to GRA phic
ONE syllable in each word is stressed more than the others. And it is not always the same syllable. This happens in ALL words with 2 or more syllables: TEAcher, JaPAN, CAnada, aBOVE, converSAtion, INteresting, imPORtant, deMAND, etCETera, etCETera, etCETera.
The syllables that are not stressed are ‘weak’ or ‘small’ or ‘quiet’. Native speakers of English listen for the STRESSED syllables, not the weak syllables. If you use accurate word stress in your speech, you will instantly improve both your pronunciation and your comprehension.
Try to hear the stress in individual words each time you listen to English - on the radio, or in films for example. Your first step is to HEAR and recognize it. After that, you can USE it!
When you learn a new word, you should also learn its stress pattern. If you keep a vocabulary book, make a note to show which syllable is stressed. If you do not know, you can look in a learner’s dictionary. All good learner dictionaries give the phonetic spelling of a word. This is where they show which syllable is stressed, usually with an apostrophe (') just before or just after the stressed syllable.
In addition to word stress, you also have to use correct sentence stress to sound like a native speaker.
As a general rule,
▪ stressed words in a sentence are considered content words. These include nouns (e.g. kitchen, Peter), (most) main verbs (e.g. visit, construct), adjectives (e.g. beautiful, interesting), and adverbs (e.g. often, carefully).
▪ non-stressed words are considered function words. These include determiners (e.g.: the, a, an), auxiliary verbs (e.g.: is, am, were), prepositions( e.g.: before, of, in), conjunctions (e.g.: but, and, so), and pronouns (e.g.: they, she, he)
Read the following sentence aloud:
The beautiful mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.
Now read this sentence aloud:
He can come on Saturdays as long as he doesn't have to do any homework in the evening.
Notice that the first sentence actually takes about the same time to speak well! Even though the second sentence is approximately 30% longer than the first, the sentences take the same time to speak. This is because there are five stressed words in each sentence.
Try this simple activity to practice using correct sentence stress:Write down a few sentences, or take a few example sentences from a book or exercise. First, mark the word stress (check a good learner’s dictionary if you’re unsure), and then underline the stressed words in each sentence. After that, read aloud focusing on stressing the underlined words and gliding over the non-stressed words. If you do this regularly you’ll be surprised at how quickly your pronunciation will improve! By focusing on stressed words, non-stressed words and syllables take on their more muted nature. When listening to native speakers, pay particular attention to how those speakers stress certain words and try to copy this when you speak.
Tips:
1. Remember that non-stressed words and syllables are often "swallowed" in English.
2. Always focus on pronouncing stressed words well. Non-stressed words can be glided over.
3. Don't focus on pronouncing each word in a sentence with equal stress. Focus on the stressed words only.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
How to Improve Your English
This week we’d like to offer our readers some motivational tips and advice for learning English.
▪ Be patient with yourself. Keep in mind that learning a language is a gradual process - it does not happen overnight.
▪ Define your learning objectives early: What do you want to learn and why?
▪ Make learning a habit. Try to learn something every day. It is much better to study (or read, or listen to English news, etc.) for ten minutes each day than to study for two hours once a week.
▪ Choose your materials well. You will need reading, grammar, writing, speaking and listening materials. ESL Pro Systems offers a full range of excellent study materials that can help you improve your English faster.
▪ Vary your learning routine. It is best to do different things each day to help keep the various relationships between each area active. In other words, don't just study grammar-study all the language skills.
▪ Find friends to study and speak with. Learning English together can be very encouraging. In addition, try to make friends with native speakers. If you don't live in an English environment, try to interact with people that speak only English. Go to businesses where English is spoken and try to ask for help in English. Don't look for a person that might help you in your own language.
▪ Choose listening and reading materials that relate to what you are interested in. Begin reading magazines and publications that use fairly easy language such as Reader’s Digest, People, and Biography. Being interested in the subject will make learning more enjoyable, and thus more effective. For example, by watching English films & TV programs (especially those with subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. Try to listen to talk radio. This will help you get acquainted with American idioms and slang. There are some very interesting and informative shows well worth listening to.
▪ Music can also be a very effective method for learning English. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read along as the artist sings. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, that’s even better!
▪ Relate grammar to practical usage. Grammar by itself does not help you use the language. You should practice what you are learning by employing it actively.
▪ Move your mouth! Understanding something doesn't mean the muscles of your mouth can produce the sounds. Practice what you are learning by saying it aloud. It may seem strange, but it is very effective.
▪ Communicate! There is nothing like communicating in English and being successful. Grammar exercises are good, but having your friend on the other side of the world understand your e-mail is fantastic!
▪ Speak without fear. The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.
Final tips:
1. Remember that English learning is a process.
2. Be patient with yourself.
3. Practice, practice, practice!
▪ Be patient with yourself. Keep in mind that learning a language is a gradual process - it does not happen overnight.
▪ Define your learning objectives early: What do you want to learn and why?
▪ Make learning a habit. Try to learn something every day. It is much better to study (or read, or listen to English news, etc.) for ten minutes each day than to study for two hours once a week.
▪ Choose your materials well. You will need reading, grammar, writing, speaking and listening materials. ESL Pro Systems offers a full range of excellent study materials that can help you improve your English faster.
▪ Vary your learning routine. It is best to do different things each day to help keep the various relationships between each area active. In other words, don't just study grammar-study all the language skills.
▪ Find friends to study and speak with. Learning English together can be very encouraging. In addition, try to make friends with native speakers. If you don't live in an English environment, try to interact with people that speak only English. Go to businesses where English is spoken and try to ask for help in English. Don't look for a person that might help you in your own language.
▪ Choose listening and reading materials that relate to what you are interested in. Begin reading magazines and publications that use fairly easy language such as Reader’s Digest, People, and Biography. Being interested in the subject will make learning more enjoyable, and thus more effective. For example, by watching English films & TV programs (especially those with subtitles) you can expand your vocabulary and hear the flow of speech from the actors. Try to listen to talk radio. This will help you get acquainted with American idioms and slang. There are some very interesting and informative shows well worth listening to.
▪ Music can also be a very effective method for learning English. The best way to learn though, is to get the lyrics (words) to the songs you are listening to and try to read along as the artist sings. This way you can practice your listening and reading at the same time. And if you like to sing, that’s even better!
▪ Relate grammar to practical usage. Grammar by itself does not help you use the language. You should practice what you are learning by employing it actively.
▪ Move your mouth! Understanding something doesn't mean the muscles of your mouth can produce the sounds. Practice what you are learning by saying it aloud. It may seem strange, but it is very effective.
▪ Communicate! There is nothing like communicating in English and being successful. Grammar exercises are good, but having your friend on the other side of the world understand your e-mail is fantastic!
▪ Speak without fear. The biggest problem most people face in learning a new language is their own fear. They worry that they won’t say things correctly or that they will look stupid so they don’t talk at all. Don’t do this. The fastest way to learn anything is to do it – again and again until you get it right. Like anything, learning English requires practice. Don’t let a little fear stop you from getting what you want.
Final tips:
1. Remember that English learning is a process.
2. Be patient with yourself.
3. Practice, practice, practice!
THE IMPORTANCE OF ENGLISH
English is not the most widely spoken language in the world in terms of the number of native speakers--there are many more Chinese speakers than native English speakers--but Chinese is spoken little outside of Chinese communities, so English is the most widespread language in the world. It is difficult to estimate exactly how many English speakers there are, but according to one estimate there are more than 350,000,000 native English speakers and more than 400,000,000 speakers of English as a second language (a language used in everyday life, even though it is not the native language) or foreign language (a language studied but not used much in everyday life).However, even these numbers do not really indicate how important English is as a world language, because less than fifteen percent of the world population uses English. The importance of English is not just in how many people speak it but in what it is used for. English is the major language of news and information in the world. It is the language of business and government even in some countries where it is a minority language. It is the language of maritime communication and international air traffic control, and it is used even for internal air traffic control in countries where it is not a native language. American popular culture--primarily movies and music--carries the English language throughout the world.
ENGLISH AS A FIRST OR SECOND LANGUAGE.
In some countries, English is the sole or dominant language. It has that role in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. All of these countries are former British colonies. In other countries, English is widely used, particularly among people who have no other language in common, even though it is not the dominant language of the country. For example, English is widely used in Hong Kong, Singapore, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Malaysia. In such countries, it is often used as a means of communication between people who have different native languages.
USES OF ENGLISH:
ENGLISH FOR NEWS AND INFORMATION.
English is commonly used as a medium for the communication of information and news. Three quarters of all telex messages and telegrams are sent in English. Eighty percent of computer data are processed and stored in English. Much satellite communication is carried in English. Five thousand newspapers, more than half of the newspapers published in the world, are published in English. Even in many countries where English is a minority language, there is at least one newspaper in English. In India alone, there are three thousand magazines published in English. In many countries, television news is broadcast in English. Because of the power of television, demonstrators in every country use signs printed in English for the benefit of the international press.
ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS, DIPLOMACY, AND THE PROFESSIONS.
English is a major language of international business, diplomacy, and science and the professions. It is the language that an Iranian businessman and a Japanese businessman are likely to use to communicate. Important commodities such as silver, tin, and hard currency are traded in English. English is also an official language, or the official language, of many international organizations, including the United Nations and many professional organizations. It is frequently the language of international conferences, and it is the language of international athletics. Throughout the world, many professional papers are published in English. Even papers that are published in other languages often have abstracts in English.
ENGLISH FOR ENTERTAINMENT:
POPULAR CULTURE.
Popular culture has also played an important part in spreading English. American and British popular music are heard all over the world. American movies are seen in almost every country. Books in English are available even in countries where few people actually use English. One reason that students give for learning English is to understand these songs, movies and books.
TRAVEL.
English is also very important for international travel. Much of the information countries disseminate about themselves outside of their borders is in English. English is spoken in large hotels and tourist attractions, at airports, and in shops that tourists frequent. There are newspapers printed in English, and TV news is available in English. Tours are almost always available in English. Even in countries where few people speak English on the street, people who work with tourists generally speak English. In some countries even drivers of buses or streetcars and sellers at newsstands speak English well.
OTHER USES OF ENGLISH.
In many former British colonies, English is still used in government and as a medium of communication among people who do not have another language in common. In some cases, it is a neutral language that is used to avoid giving any one indigenous language too much prestige. English is often used in India, because it is neutral. It is the language of government. People who speak English have a certain status in society. It is used for books, music and dance. In Singapore, English is a second language, but it is necessary for daily life. Many companies there use English. In addition, sixteen countries in Africa have retained English as the language of government. Now standard English is taught in schools in those countries, because it is necessary for careers.English is also studied as a foreign language in countries where it is not generally used as a medium of communication. In China, English language lessons are popular TV programs. Two hundred fifty million Chinese--more than the population of the US--are learning English on TV. English is usually the first or most commonly taught foreign language in many countries, and people understand it a little at least.
CONCLUSION.
As we have seen, English is a widespread and important language in the world today. It is used for everything from international academic conferences to news reports to popular music lyrics. It is used not only for communication between native speakers and nonnative speakers of English but between nonnative speakers. Even though it does not have the greatest number of speakers in the world, it is the most widely used language in the world, and it will be used by more people in the future.
ENGLISH AS A FIRST OR SECOND LANGUAGE.
In some countries, English is the sole or dominant language. It has that role in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. All of these countries are former British colonies. In other countries, English is widely used, particularly among people who have no other language in common, even though it is not the dominant language of the country. For example, English is widely used in Hong Kong, Singapore, Nigeria, the Philippines, and Malaysia. In such countries, it is often used as a means of communication between people who have different native languages.
USES OF ENGLISH:
ENGLISH FOR NEWS AND INFORMATION.
English is commonly used as a medium for the communication of information and news. Three quarters of all telex messages and telegrams are sent in English. Eighty percent of computer data are processed and stored in English. Much satellite communication is carried in English. Five thousand newspapers, more than half of the newspapers published in the world, are published in English. Even in many countries where English is a minority language, there is at least one newspaper in English. In India alone, there are three thousand magazines published in English. In many countries, television news is broadcast in English. Because of the power of television, demonstrators in every country use signs printed in English for the benefit of the international press.
ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS, DIPLOMACY, AND THE PROFESSIONS.
English is a major language of international business, diplomacy, and science and the professions. It is the language that an Iranian businessman and a Japanese businessman are likely to use to communicate. Important commodities such as silver, tin, and hard currency are traded in English. English is also an official language, or the official language, of many international organizations, including the United Nations and many professional organizations. It is frequently the language of international conferences, and it is the language of international athletics. Throughout the world, many professional papers are published in English. Even papers that are published in other languages often have abstracts in English.
ENGLISH FOR ENTERTAINMENT:
POPULAR CULTURE.
Popular culture has also played an important part in spreading English. American and British popular music are heard all over the world. American movies are seen in almost every country. Books in English are available even in countries where few people actually use English. One reason that students give for learning English is to understand these songs, movies and books.
TRAVEL.
English is also very important for international travel. Much of the information countries disseminate about themselves outside of their borders is in English. English is spoken in large hotels and tourist attractions, at airports, and in shops that tourists frequent. There are newspapers printed in English, and TV news is available in English. Tours are almost always available in English. Even in countries where few people speak English on the street, people who work with tourists generally speak English. In some countries even drivers of buses or streetcars and sellers at newsstands speak English well.
OTHER USES OF ENGLISH.
In many former British colonies, English is still used in government and as a medium of communication among people who do not have another language in common. In some cases, it is a neutral language that is used to avoid giving any one indigenous language too much prestige. English is often used in India, because it is neutral. It is the language of government. People who speak English have a certain status in society. It is used for books, music and dance. In Singapore, English is a second language, but it is necessary for daily life. Many companies there use English. In addition, sixteen countries in Africa have retained English as the language of government. Now standard English is taught in schools in those countries, because it is necessary for careers.English is also studied as a foreign language in countries where it is not generally used as a medium of communication. In China, English language lessons are popular TV programs. Two hundred fifty million Chinese--more than the population of the US--are learning English on TV. English is usually the first or most commonly taught foreign language in many countries, and people understand it a little at least.
CONCLUSION.
As we have seen, English is a widespread and important language in the world today. It is used for everything from international academic conferences to news reports to popular music lyrics. It is used not only for communication between native speakers and nonnative speakers of English but between nonnative speakers. Even though it does not have the greatest number of speakers in the world, it is the most widely used language in the world, and it will be used by more people in the future.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Please let us know what you think about this.
I teach some students on my own and I would like to know what´s the best material to use for teaching them, if you have any preference or any certain material that you like, please let me know, I would appreciate it greatly.
Thank you.
Thank you.
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