What is the best method to teach pronunciation?
13 answers from our tutors
Best answer
Through modeling, where the teacher provides a clear model of the pronunciation, and the student repeats it. Secondly, phonetic transcription using the International phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which can help the student understand how words are pronounced. Another way could be using tongue twisters, which can be a fun and helpful way for practicing pronunciation , especially for sounds that are difficult to pronounce. The last way could be recordings, where students could listen to native speakers and imitate how they pronounce words.
To teach pronunciation, break words into syllables with phonetic spelling, practice and repeat them, focus on stress and intonation, and provide gentle feedback. For example, the word "beautiful" can be pronounced as "byoo-tuh-ful."
I use to say the difficult words in the texts for the students to pronounce. Especially French names, like Francoise which will be pronounced as Frans-wah. Another method is to listen to English short story where the students listen to the pronunciation. I also ask the students to repeat the difficult pronunciation.
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- Janco BekkerCertified TEFL tutor 3 years experience, EXAMS, BUSINESS ENGLISH, INTERVIEW PREP, GENERAL ENGLISH
Practice, practice and practice. The best way to learn is by doing it! Try to practice speaking as much as possible.
I think pronunciation is taught better if the teacher repeats the word more than once and match the word to the pictures.
tongue twisters are fun ways of practicing ... Listening skills and practice practice :)
First is repeating and hearing the word in different contexts, and also knowing phonetic can be a great help
I prefer guided reading exercises. If the student continues to make the same mistakes with l, w, r, th, ch, s, etc.... I use speech therapy exercises. Focusing on that particularly sound. It normally takes 5-10 minutes and should make your face muscles a little sore after.
I use phonics, lots of TPR, and sometimes bring in the Cambrdige dictionary and you can turn up the volume and let your student repreat and shadow you.
I guess playing the audio files and then asking the students to repeat the words is the best way. You can also write the words and underline the stressed syllables and pronounce them, then ask your students to repeat
