Good afternoon! I have had several students ask me about websites that may help them with Standard American English pronunciation. Do you have one (or several) that you recommend? If so, I hope you will post them.
Please look at my website, PUMAROSA.COM, for pronunciation. Although intended for Spanish speakers, it can be used by anyone. It is easy to navigate, and there is no registration. I have also devised a series of lessons on pronunciation which I can send if you are interested.
Hi Ellen and all, I've copied below a few pronunciation websites that I've come across. I have not used all of these sites, so it would be very helpful to hear comments from teachers who are familiar with the sites and which ones they have found most helpful. Rachel's English is a site I have visited often and used with advanced learners. It's a phenomenal resource.
A comprehensive site with over 300 detailed videos on English pronunciation. This site is appropriate for teachers to gain knowledge of specific aspects of pronunciation and for very advanced students who want to refine their pronunciation.
Thanks for adding to the list, Dorothy! It would be great to hear what you consider to be the strengths of this site. How have you used the site with learners?
How have other members used pronunciation sites with students?
My practice is to teach pronunciation within the context of the language we encounter in our lessons. That being said, I love Rachel's English because it is so comprehensive (now featuring over 400 free videos) and has helped me to better understand how to teach certain aspects of pronunciation. I have also occasionally used the videos with advanced students and have often recommended the site to advanced students for self study. The videos are not really appropriate for lower level students since the language Rachel uses is complex.
Pronunciation is very important for all adult ESL/EFL students, and in many cases the students themselves want to practice difficult sounds and words. There should be no difficulty "teaching" it from the beginning.
A good way to incorporate pronunciation into any class is to prioritize the sounds, letters or words that are to be taught, and approach the lessons step by step using a lot of humor.
For example many people have difficulties with G/J, short i, L vs R, V versus B, short u vs oo, Th.., and W versus G. In addition Spanish speakers tend to add an e sound to words that begin with S followed by a consonant, and, of course, everyone needs to learn about the silent e rule.
Sometimes, it takes many repetitions over a period of weeks or even months before something "sticks". But once the above basis is set, fluency can be more easily achieved.
Using websites is a great way for students to practice their pronunciation because they are free of any anxiety that creeps up in a "live" class.
Comments
Please look at my website, PUMAROSA.COM, for pronunciation. Although intended for Spanish speakers, it can be used by anyone. It is easy to navigate, and there is no registration. I have also devised a series of lessons on pronunciation which I can send if you are interested.
Hi Ellen and all, I've copied below a few pronunciation websites that I've come across. I have not used all of these sites, so it would be very helpful to hear comments from teachers who are familiar with the sites and which ones they have found most helpful. Rachel's English is a site I have visited often and used with advanced learners. It's a phenomenal resource.
Some members may be interested in this brief from the LINCS collection "Teaching Pronunciation to Adult English Learners."
1. ESL Gold’s Pronunciation Pages
http://www.eslgold.com/pronunciation/tips_practicing_pronuncation.html
Features specific aspects of pronunciation for listening.
2. Charles Kelly Pronunciation Minimal Pairs
http://www.manythings.org/pp/
Interactive listening discrimination exercises for minimal pairs; other features are included as well.
3. Rachel’s English
http://www.rachelsenglish.com/
A comprehensive site with over 300 detailed videos on English pronunciation. This site is appropriate for teachers to gain knowledge of specific aspects of pronunciation and for very advanced students who want to refine their pronunciation.
4. Pronuncian
http://www.pronuncian.com/
Features numerous audio files to listen to. The premium website is not free.
5. Spoken Skills
http://www.spokenskills.com/index.cfm?type=15&content=studentactivities
Students can listen, assess their listening discrimination, and also record their own voice. Features many aspects of English pronunciation.
Cheers, Susan Finn Miller
Moderator, AELL CoP
There are great websites, Susan! I'd like to add The Sounds of Speech website from the University of Iowa.
http://soundsofspeech.uiowa.edu
Dorothy
Thanks for adding to the list, Dorothy! It would be great to hear what you consider to be the strengths of this site. How have you used the site with learners?
How have other members used pronunciation sites with students?
My practice is to teach pronunciation within the context of the language we encounter in our lessons. That being said, I love Rachel's English because it is so comprehensive (now featuring over 400 free videos) and has helped me to better understand how to teach certain aspects of pronunciation. I have also occasionally used the videos with advanced students and have often recommended the site to advanced students for self study. The videos are not really appropriate for lower level students since the language Rachel uses is complex.
Cheers, Susan Finn Miller
Moderator, AELL CoP
Pronunciation is very important for all adult ESL/EFL students, and in many cases the students themselves want to practice difficult sounds and words. There should be no difficulty "teaching" it from the beginning.
A good way to incorporate pronunciation into any class is to prioritize the sounds, letters or words that are to be taught, and approach the lessons step by step using a lot of humor.
For example many people have difficulties with G/J, short i, L vs R, V versus B, short u vs oo, Th.., and W versus G. In addition Spanish speakers tend to add an e sound to words that begin with S followed by a consonant, and, of course, everyone needs to learn about the silent e rule.
Sometimes, it takes many repetitions over a period of weeks or even months before something "sticks". But once the above basis is set, fluency can be more easily achieved.
Using websites is a great way for students to practice their pronunciation because they are free of any anxiety that creeps up in a "live" class.