Tips and activities for teaching pronunciation

As teachers, we often face the challenge of teaching students proper pronunciation. 

We know that accurate pronunciation is key to successful communication and confidence in language use. 

But how can we help students overcome their fear of difficult sounds and start speaking with assurance?

In this blog, we will explore several proven techniques and exercises that can help your students master correct pronunciation.

Phonetic exercises are a crucial element in teaching pronunciation as they help students better distinguish and reproduce sounds. 

Let's look at a popular exercise.

Minimal pairs are pairs of words that differ by only one sound (e.g., "ship" and "sheep"). Ask students to listen to and repeat minimal pairs after you. 

Highlight the differences in the pronunciation of these similar words. You can also organise a game where students guess which of the two words was pronounced. 

This will help them better distinguish sounds by ear and articulate them clearly.

One of the most effective methods for teaching pronunciation is drilling. This technique is widely used in language teaching and is ideal for reinforcing the correct pronunciation of words and phrases. 

Drilling involves repeated practice, which helps students remember and automate correct pronunciation. 

The process may seem monotonous, but its effectiveness is proven over time.

Choose words that are difficult for your students to pronounce, such as those with sound combinations not found in their native language, like "thorough" or "squirrel." Ask students to repeat the selected word several times. 

Start at a slow pace, paying attention to every detail of the pronunciation, then gradually increase the speed. 

It is important to not only pronounce the sounds correctly but also maintain the intonation and rhythm. Let students repeat words with different intonations, such as questioning, affirmative, and exclamatory. 

Drilling helps create muscle memory and automate correct pronunciation. The more a student repeats a word, the more natural it becomes for them. 

This is particularly important for those learning English as a second language, as many sounds can be unfamiliar and challenging to pronounce. 

By the way, in our new course on the Grade platform, you’ll find an entire section on drilling techniques. 

Our course is called Conversation-Based Lessons, which you can take at any time and anywhere. Try the free demo version to see how effective the course is.

Shadowing is a method where the student listens to speech in a foreign language and immediately repeats it, trying to replicate the speaker's sounds, intonation, and rhythm as accurately as possible. 

This method requires high concentration and active listening.

Select audio materials appropriate for your students' level. These can be podcasts, audiobooks, YouTube videos, films, or TV series. 

Start with short and understandable excerpts, gradually increasing the complexity and length of the material. 

Before beginning the shadowing technique, it is important to listen to the material several times to understand its content and overall meaning. 

Begin repeating after the speaker, minimizing the pause between what you hear and what you say. Start slowly, then gradually increase the speed to match the native speaker's pace. 

As with any other technique, regular practice is key to success. Conduct shadowing sessions several times a week, dedicating at least 15-20 minutes. 

Shadowing helps students become accustomed to the sounds of the English language and improve their pronunciation. 

Additionally, practicing with different speakers helps master various accents and speaking styles.

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a system of symbols used to accurately represent speech sounds.

In your lessons, start by introducing the basic IPA symbols that correspond to English sounds. Use charts and posters to help students visually remember the symbols.

Here is an example of such material:

Divide the learning process into several stages, initially focusing on vowel sounds, then moving on to consonants. 

Avoid overwhelming students with too much information at once.

Tongue twisters are an excellent way to improve diction and clarity of pronunciation. 

They make the entire articulatory apparatus work and help overcome difficulties with pronouncing complex sound combinations. 

Choose tongue twisters that match the level and needs of your students. For beginners, simple tongue twisters with repetitive sounds are suitable. 

For more advanced students, use longer and more complex tongue twisters with diverse sound combinations.

Ask students to repeat the tongue twister slowly at first, then gradually increase the speed. You can also organise small competitions where students recite tongue twisters as quickly as possible. 

Regular practice with tongue twisters helps students become more confident in their speech and better handle difficult sounds.

Teaching correct pronunciation is a crucial aspect of learning English, and using various techniques can significantly enhance your students' skills. 

As a teacher, keep experimenting with methods, stay flexible, and be creative in your approaches. The key is to make the learning process engaging and motivating.

When students see their progress and feel supported, they become more confident in their English speech.