Saturday 5:45 - 6:35 PM
TTI 401
Overcoming Pronunciation Problems of English Teachers in Asia
Steve Garrigues
Kyongbuk National University
The foundation of effective spoken communication is good pronunciation.
Each language has its own phonological structure which contrasts with that
of all other languages, and which creates unique problems in the accommodation
of English sounds. The end result of conflicting sound distinctions is
often ambiguity and miscommunication (e.g. "long way" vs. "wrong way").
Although English teachers certainly realize the need to improve their students'
pronunciation, few are sufficiently trained in English phonetics, and even
fewer in contrastive phonology, to adequately understand the problems their
students confront; nor do the textbooks address these problems.
This presentation will take a practical, non-technical approach to
dealing with the following issues:
? Why there are problems with specific English sounds for speakers of
specific Asian languages (Japanese, Korean, etc.)
? How to improve teacher training in English phonetics, for both native
and non-native speakers
How to design teaching materials appropriate for speakers of Asian
languages
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