Introduction To Teaching Pronunciation Skills

1.

Which of these words is spelled correctly?
- A.
  
  Pronounciation
- B.
  
  Pronunciation
- C.
  
  Pronounciate
- D.
  
  Pronunciate
Correct Answer
B. Pronunciation

Explanation
The verb is "pronounce," but the noun is "pronunciation." And even though it seems logical that there would be a verb "pronunciate," it just doesn't exist. Sorry!

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2.

What is the goal of teaching pronunciation today?
- A.
  
  To make students sound exactly like native speakers.
- B.
  
  To make students repeat words for many hours.
- C.
  
  To help students have intelligible pronunciation.
- D.
  
  To allow only native speakers to teach pronunciation.
Correct Answer
C. To help students have intelligible pronunciation.

Explanation
The answer is C. Most teachers aim to help their students have pronunciation that's easy to understand, even if there's still some influence from their native language. This is a practical and "doable" goal.

Not A: Although teachers sometimes assume that students should sound just like native speakers, for most people, this just isn't going to happen. And anyway, there are many, many different ways of sounding "like a native speaker." It's a nebulous goal. (It's sort of cloudy and hard to define.)

Not B: While repetition is a valuable teaching tool, we certainly don't want students to just repeat words for many hours. The poor things would be exhausted!

Not D: Good heavens, no! Many non-native speakers of English are wonderful pronunciation teachers.

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3.

Which of these statements is true?
- A.
  
  Children and adults can both learn pronunciation, but they learn in different ways.
- B.
  
  Adults can learn pronunciation easily because they are older and wiser.
- C.
  
  Children can analyze the rules of pronunciation more easily than adults.
- D.
  
  Adults can’t learn good pronunciation in a new language.
Correct Answer
A. Children and adults can both learn pronunciation, but they learn in different ways.

Explanation
A is the best answer. Children learn pronunciation intuitively; they seem to "soak up" new sounds by hearing and imitation. Adults are usually more analytical. They can consciously listen to explanations or look at diagrams, and then imitate what they've seen and heard, but they're so used to the sounds of their own language that it's hard to change to new one.

Not B: Adults are older and (we hope) wiser, but this doesn't always help them with pronunciation.

Not C: Children aren't good at analyzing rules. Analytical thinking is something that improves over the years.

Not D: Don't be a pessimist! Adults can learn good pronunciation too; they just have to do it in their own way!

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4.

Which of these factors affect a student’s learning of pronunciation?
- A.
  
  The student’s personality and degree of motivation.
- B.
  
  The student's age.
- C.
  
  The student's native language.
- D.
  
  All of these are true.
Correct Answer
D. All of these are true.

Explanation
Yes, all of these affect how easily students can learn the pronunciation of a new language. People who tend to be more willing to accept new things, who don't mind being daring and different, and people who really want to learn will probably have an easier time of it. Young children generally learn new pronunciation more easily than adults. (Lucky children!) And the sounds, rhythm, and intonation patterns of a student's own language certainly affect how they'll learn the sounds of a new language. (If you chose A, B, or C, you're actually correct too!)

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5.

Which of these is most important in teaching pronunciation?
- A.
  
  To be a native speaker of English.
- B.
  
  To motivate students and help them practice in many ways.
- C.
  
  To speak the same native language as the students.
- D.
  
  To have a very loud voice.
Correct Answer
B. To motivate students and help them practice in many ways.

Explanation
B is the best answer. Teachers need to get students interested and show them how learning pronunciation will help them, and then give them many ways to practice.

Not A: Both native and non-native speakers can be effective pronunciation teachers, but both groups need preparation and practice to be really great.

Not C, although it's helpful if the teacher understands how the sound system of the students' native language works.

Not D, although, of course, the teacher has to speak loudly enough to be heard. (If you find yourself shouting when you teach, it's probably because the students are too noisy--but that's a separate problem!)

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Introduction To Teaching Pronunciation Skills

Which of these words is spelled correctly?

What is the goal of teaching pronunciation today?

Which of these statements is true?

Which of these factors affect a student’s learning of pronunciation?

Which of these is most important in teaching pronunciation?