TEFL Ballston Oregon

Phonology is the term used for “the sounds of language” or sound system. It describes and analyzes the sound components of speech, studied by linguists and scientists. These sounds, called phonemes are combined in speech, constituting the basis of meaning, or learned sound patterns that we perceive as meaningful. Phonemes are the smallest units of language, in which other physical qualities are incorporated to provide words with meaning and context, and distinguish accent. These physical qualities are articulation, rhythm, and dynamics. How we pronounce sounds into words in sentences give rise to fluent, efficient, meaningful and effective communication. For esl students, this speaking skill is just as important as understanding grammatical rules. When focused on learning vocabulary and grammar, it is easy for esl teachers to forget about how students sound and articulate words consisting of different combination of phonemes. However, time should be spent focusing on how to properly articulate sounds with correct rhythm and dynamics of the voice. A good way to start teaching phonology in the classroom is to have charts with sounds corresponding to pictures of how the mouth is composed when making the sound. Emphasize on how the air is blown, placement of the tongue and lips, and where the sound is originating. The teacher can model each sounds, with students following. Then take the sounds and incorporate them into different word examples using different phoneme combinations. Different combinations of phonemes will change the continual sound. Once students become aware of articulation they can focus on the changing the particular sounds of words in sentences within context when their studies advance. This means focusing on rhythm and dynamics of the voice. Video tapes or cassettes/CDs with dialogues can be used in the classroom for students to hear conversation, for them to hear the language in natural environments and situations. There are online tools and programs with exercises for modeling sounds and recognizing sounds in words, sentences and songs. To make learning fun, you can be creative with games and exercises for the students. These methods might make learning the sound system of a language pretty easy, but in reality studying the phonology and linguistics of even the native speaker's own language can be difficult. Before making phonology part of the classroom agenda, the teacher should take time to understand what particular difficulties students of another language will encounter, because not all difficulties will be the same. This way the teacher can spend more time focusing on areas of difficulty. For example, more written and spoken exercises should be given while including repetition drills using a variety of words. Even if students can speak a sentence, they must be able to pronounce sounds so the listener will be able to recognize and interpret what they are saying. Learning to pronounce sounds in context, compiled with other physical characteristics of sound, allows students to become effective and fluent speakers overtime. Not only will these skills help students be good communicators, it will help them use the new language to their advantage in career and academic opportunities. They will be more confident speaking the new language with other english speakers, whether in their home country or in a new environment. Overall, teaching the basics of phonology in the classroom is to the esl students' advantage.