Pronunciation with Confidence

In this unit, we will explore why pronunciation matters in language teaching and how learning pronunciation differs from learning grammar or vocabulary. We will examine common teacher beliefs, challenges, and misconceptions around pronunciation, and consider the role it plays in intelligibility, learner confidence, and listening skills. By the end of the unit, you will have a clearer understanding of the value of pronunciation work and what to expect from the course ahead.

In this unit, we will explore the building blocks of pronunciation by focusing on phonemes and how they are produced. We will learn what phonemes are, how they differ from allophones, and how they are organised on the phonemic chart. We will examine vowel and consonant sounds, looking at place and manner of articulation, voicing, and common learner difficulties, and we will explore minimal pairs as a tool for identifying and teaching sound contrasts. By the end of the unit, you will have a clearer understanding of how individual sounds work and how this knowledge can support more effective pronunciation teaching.

In this unit, we focus on word stress and how it affects clarity and understanding in spoken English. You will learn how words are divided into syllables, explore common word stress patterns and tendencies, and discover practical techniques and activities to help learners notice, practise, and remember correct word stress.

In this unit, we move from individual words to phrases and sentences, exploring how stress and rhythm shape meaning in spoken English. You will learn how sentence stress works, how it changes to express emphasis and contrast, and how to help learners develop clearer, more natural speech through practical classroom techniques.

In this unit, we explore intonation as the “melody” of spoken English and how it shapes meaning, attitude, and interaction. You will learn the key intonation patterns (falling, rising, and fall–rise), why learners often struggle with them, and practical ways to teach intonation through context, lexical chunks, and classroom activities that improve both speaking and listening.

In this unit, we take a critical look at how pronunciation is typically treated in mainstream EFL coursebooks and why this often isn’t enough for learners. You’ll learn how to evaluate pronunciation activities, uncover the assumptions behind them, and identify what’s missing or underdeveloped. Most importantly, the unit focuses on practical ways to adapt and upgrade existing coursebook activities so they lead to real listening and speaking gains—without rewriting the book or adding heavy preparation.

In this unit, we shift the focus from speaking to listening, exploring how pronunciation affects learners’ ability to decode real, connected speech. You’ll learn the difference between productive and receptive pronunciation, discover why fast, reduced, and connected forms make comprehension challenging, and practice practical activities to help students hear and understand natural English more effectively.

In order to receive a certificate, you will need to complete the final test at the end of the course. This assessment checks your understanding of the key concepts and practical tools covered throughout the course and confirms that you have successfully met the learning outcomes.