Module 6: Lesson 1 - Pronunciation and Phonology

Question 1

How many letters in the alphabet and phonemes exist in the English language?

Answer 1

Alphabet: 26
Phonemes: 44

Question 2

Name 3 ways you can focus on pronunciation in the classroom.

Answer 2

• Looking at sounds in isolation, focusing on short and long vowels, or diphtongs.
• Students can learn by making use of the IPA chart (Intl Phonemic Alphabet) and dictionaries to learn how to pronounce words.
• Focus on identifying silent letters or the stressed syllable in a word.

Question 3

Have a look at the IPA chart.

Answer 3

Question 4

What are some benefits in teaching pronunciation?

Answer 4

• Learners can become more autonomous in general. They can understand how to pronounce any new word they encounter, as they will be able to interpret the phonetic symbols provided by the dictionary.
• It can also help to improve learners’ spelling and reading skills, as they can identify and produce written words more easily, due to knowing how to pronounce them correctly.