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Focus on teaching features of connected speech such as assimilation and elision from "summary" of Teaching American English Pronunciation - Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers by Susan Ehrlich,Peter Avery
When teaching American English pronunciation, it is essential to focus on teaching features of connected speech such as assimilation and elision. Assimilation occurs when sounds change or become modified due to their proximity to other sounds in connected speech. For example, in the phrase "good boy," the /d/ sound in "good" may be pronounced as a /b/ sound due to the following /b/ sound in "boy."Elision, on the other hand, involves the omission of sounds or syllables in connected speech. For instance, in the phrase "I'm gonna," the /t/ sound in "gonna" is often elided, resulting in the pronunciation "I'm gonna" with a reduced /t/ sound. By focusing on teaching these features of connected speech, learners can improve their pronunciation and sound more natural when speaking American English. It is important to provide learners with ample practice opportunities to recognize and produce assimilated and elided sounds in connected speech. Incorporating activities such as listening exercises, repetition drills, and role-playing scenarios can help learners develop their ability to use assimilation and elision effectively in their own speech. Furthermore, it is crucial to highlight the significance of context in understanding assimilation and elision in connected speech. Different phonetic contexts can lead to variations in pronunciation, and learners should be encouraged to pay attention to these variations in different linguistic contexts. Providing learners with examples of assimilation and elision in authentic spoken language materials, such as podcasts, movies, or TV shows, can help them develop a better understanding of how these features operate in natural language. In addition to focusing on teaching assimilation and elision, it is also important to address the role of stress and intonation in connected speech. Stress patterns and intonation contours play a crucial role in conveying meaning and emphasis in spoken language. By teaching learners how to use stress and intonation effectively, educators can help them communicate more clearly and expressively in American English.- By emphasizing the teaching of features of connected speech such as assimilation and elision, educators can support learners in developing their pronunciation skills and sounding more fluent and natural in American English. Through targeted instruction, practice, and exposure to authentic spoken language materials, learners can enhance their ability to use assimilation and elision effectively in their own speech.
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