Description

Spoken English and Pronunciation Enhancement

This course is aimed at improving spoken English and pronunciation, providing learners with the essential skills to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in any setting. It focuses on the mechanical aspects of speech alongside practical conversational fluency.

Key Focus Areas

The curriculum uses interactive sessions and practice to focus intensively on three core areas:

1. Phonetics and Articulation

• Vowel and Consonant Sounds: Detailed instruction and practice on producing the specific sounds of English, particularly those that are challenging for non-native speakers. This includes mastering the difference between confusing pairs like $/i:$ (as in ‘sheep’) and $/ɪ/$ (as in ‘ship’).
• Minimal Pairs: Dedicated drills using minimal pairs (words that differ by only one sound, e.g., ‘fan’ vs. ‘van’) to train the ear and the mouth for accurate articulation.
• Mouth and Tongue Placement: Practical guidance and exercises on the physical mechanics of speech—where to place the tongue and shape the lips—to achieve correct English sounds.

2. Intonation and Stress

• Word Stress: Learning which syllable to emphasize within multi-syllable words, as misplacing stress can change the word’s meaning or make it unintelligible.
• Sentence Stress and Rhythm: Understanding the rhythm of English speech, focusing on stressing content words (nouns, verbs, adjectives) while reducing function words (prepositions, articles) to sound more natural and fluent.
• Intonation Patterns: Mastering rising and falling pitch patterns to correctly convey questions, statements, surprise, or doubt, which is crucial for meaning and social interaction.

3. Conversational Skills and Fluency

• Fluency Building: Techniques and activities focused on speaking at a natural pace without excessive pausing or filler words, improving overall conversational flow.
• Active Listening: Training to effectively understand and respond naturally in real-time conversations, including interrupting politely and managing topic shifts.
• Interactive Practice: Frequent role-playing, group discussions, and one-on-one activities to practice applying phonetic and intonation rules in realistic, dynamic conversations.

Who is this Course For?

This course is ideal for intermediate to advanced English learners who wish to significantly reduce their accent, improve their clarity, and gain confidence in their spoken abilities, typically individuals who are:

• Professionals who frequently interact with international colleagues or clients and need clear, professional speech.
• Students aiming for higher scores in the speaking sections of exams like IELTS or TOEFL.
• Anyone who feels their current accent or lack of fluency hinders their ability to communicate effectively in English-speaking environments.