English Phonetics and Phonology - Week 1: Course Introduction

Introduction: Hello everyone and welcome to the Week 1 of the course English Phonetics and Pholology for the Bachelor's in English Teaching at ULACIT term IIIC 2023. In today's lesson we will review the syllabus and important dates of the course and explore some initial concepts in English pronunciation

Today's Goals: 

• Review the course content, evaluation structure, and important dates from the syllabus.
• Define the concept of a phoneme.
• Explore the limitations of the English alphabet to represent the sounds of the language.
• Begin to identify the parts of the speech apparatus used in the articulation of sounds.

Guiding Questions: 

• What do I hope to learn in this course?
• What is a phoneme and why is it important?
• Why do linguists use those strange symbols when they write transcriptions?
• What is happening physically when we produce spoken language?

Task 1: Exploring Starting Point Ideas

Take a moment to discuss these questions regarding the topic of this course. 

• What do you already know about the formal sound system of English?
• Are you familiar with any technical terminology related to English pronunciation?
• What activities did your previous teachers (at ULACIT or other contexts) use to teach you aspects of English presentation?
• What do you know about the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)? Are you familiar with any of its symbols? If so, which ones?

Task 2: Exploring Key Concepts

Click on your assigned group link below and open the worksheet. Read the instructions and complete the tasks with your partners.

• Group Link: CLICK HERE

References: 

Clark, R. & Yorkey, R. (2011). Teaching North American English Pronunciation. Pro Lingua Associates.