How to Teach Pronunciation With Visual Aids

Language Pronunciation

One of the most neglected areas of traditional language education is pronunciation. Curricula that concentrate on grammar and translation methods for language learning ignore speaking and will turn out graduates who can read but often cannot speak the target language. Teaching pronunciation can be made easier if visual aids are used properly and in a way that will complement the learning that is talking place through lessons. Below are some methods for using visual aids.

Things You'll Need

• Overhead projector Lessons CDs Audio tapes Paper

Instructions

Viausl Aids in Teaching

1. Model the way you would like the words to be pronounced. When you teach your lesson do not fall into the trap of speaking colloquially. If you are teaching English as a second language (ESL) for instance, and you come from a part of your country that has a pronounced accent, the accent may detract from your students' ability to learn correct pronunciation. By using only standard pronunciation, your students will better learn to speak the target language correctly.

2. Project simple sounds and pronunciations on a screen with an overhead projector. Break up vocabulary words into syllables and have students view the syllables as they pronounce them. Ensure that syllables are pronounced according to the target language. Use visual representations of tongue and lip positions to practice a language's sounds. Transparencies for lessons are quite easily typed on a word processor then photocopied onto a plastic transparency for use with the overhead projector. Have basic pronunciations on the projector such as the ct, sh and ph sounds. The tendency of adult students is to pronounce words of a new language with the same pronunciation as their native language. Practice will overcome this tendency.

3. Teaching students the correct pronunciation of the vowels of the target language will help ensure they learn to speak the language like a native. Accents are largely governed by vowels. For instance, in English a long a is pronounced "ay"; it is forward in the mouth and the bottom jaw closes a little with the tongue against the upper molars. In Italian, the a is pronounced "ah" with the tongue back and in the middle of the mouth; the lips don't move except for opening the mouth. Diagrams of the lip-mouth positions can be displayed on the projector.

4. Adorn the walls of the classroom with pictures. As each significant new word is learned students can make a small poster of it and place it with either a translation or a picture representation on the wall of the classroom. This visual aid has the advantage of always being there to refer to. In case a word is forgotten, a quick glance will bring it back to mind.

5. A proven way to teach pronunciation is to listen to songs in the target language. The teacher should provide a visual representation of each sound as it is being sung. At first the words will seem very fast but as the students learn them, they can sing along and learn the pronunciation effectively. The teacher can make a transparency of the lyrics of the song and display it prominently on the projector as students sing. A karaoke machine is ideal for this or the teacher can use a pointer on each word as it is sung.

Tips & Warnings

• Always speak properly and avoid colloquialisms unless you explain them.

References

• Auidio-Visual
• Visual Aid

Resources

• Presentation