Pronunciation module

English for Teachers B, Autumn 2024


Warm-up

Discuss the following questions in groups of 3-4.

What is pronunciation? What does it include?

How have you learned English pronunciation so far?

What have you found difficult about English pronunciation? What have you found easy?

What are the main differences between English pronunciation and the pronunciation of your language?

How important do you think correct pronunciation is? Why?

Do you think you need to improve your pronunciation? If so, do you know how you can do it?


How much do you know? (OuIS)

Try to do the quiz as quickly as possible:

1.       How many letters are there in the English alphabet:

a)       26

b)      30

c)       34

d)      44

2.       How many sounds are there in English:

a)       26

b)      30

c)       34

d)      44

3.       A, E, I, O, U are:

a)       consonants

b)      monophtongs

c)       vowels

d)      dipthongs

4.       P, M, V, D, X are:

a)       consonants

b)      syllables

c)       vowels

d)      dipthongs

5.       How many syllables are there in the word obviously:

a)       5

b)      2

c)       3

d)      4

6.       In which of the following pairs both words contain a silent letter:

a)       listen, psychology

b)      wash, knife

c)       autumn, secret

d)      often, cat

7.       Which of the following words ends in a voiced consonant:

a)       snack

b)      bread

c)       leaf

d)      sink


8.       Word stress in English can be placed:

a)       only on the first syllable

b)      only on the second syllable

c)       only on the third syllable

d)      any of the above


Divide into groups based on the cards that your teacher gives you. In your group, carry out the
following tasks.

What can you see in the picture below? What is it used for?

Can you pronounce all the sounds correctly? Take it in turns to read all the symbols. Then check
here.

Tip:

If you want to find out more about English phonetics and the International Phonemic Chart (IPA),
watch this YouTube playlist.

Discuss in your group:

Is it useful for English learners to be able to read the IPA? Why (not)?

In your opinion, is it a useful skill to be able to record the pronunciation of English words using
the IPA? Why (not)?

Can you do it? Let’s try! Write the following words:

/skuːl/ _________________________

/ˌedʒuˈkeɪʃn/ _________________________

/ˈhɒlədeɪ/ _________________________

/ˈɡrædʒuət/ _________________________

/kəˈrɪkjələm/ _________________________


Transcribe the following words:

university _________________________

teacher _________________________

homework _________________________

exam _________________________

language _________________________


Resource Bank

Anglická výslovnost s Irenou

BBC Learning English – Tim’s pronunciation workshop

Pronunciation skills with Adrian Underhill

ELSA – personal pronunciation coach app

Help for English – pronunciation