Body Movement and Drama in Language Teaching: Techniques for Teaching Stress and Intonation © Marsha Chan

Marsha Chan Clapping zSyllables zRhythm zUse your hands to clap out the syllables and rhythm

Marsha Chan Clapping without words zBeats zRhythm z

Marsha Chan Open and Closed Hand zOpen hand = Stressed syllable: strong, clear, long, high zClosed hand = Unstressed syllable: weak, reduced, short, low y* Stress * Rhythm y* Vowel length * Intonation

Marsha Chan Use one hand to point out the stressed syllables: Try using your non- dominant hand to signal the stressed syllable.

Marsha Chan zStretch a wide rubber band between thumbs or fingers on two hands to demonstrate the vowel length distinction in pairs of words like the following. zVocalize the vowel longer when the vowel is followed by a voiced consonant than when it is followed by a voiceless consonant.

Marsha Chan la-L A-la-la zSing the intonation and rhythm of a word or phrase to isolate these elements from the pronunciation of the consonants and vowels. ySUpermarket = L A-la-la-la yspeCIFic = la-L A-la yengiNEERing = la-la-L A-la

Marsha Chan Integrate Clapping, Open & Closed Hand, Vowel Stretch zI was bu sy. zI was too bu sy danc ing. zI was too bu sy danc ing and sing ing. zon a beau tiful day zon a beau tiful sun ny day zon a beau tiful sun ny win ter day

Marsha Chan The Stress Stretch TM zStand up on a stressed syllable: clear, long, high zSit down on an unstressed syllable: weak, short, low y* Stress * Intonation y* Rhythm * Vowel length

Marsha Chan The Stress Stretch helps learners yassociate stress with vowel length, clarity and pitch yinternalize these suprasegmental features into body memory yactivate and link kinesthetic, tactile, visual and auditory learning modalities ypronounce polysyllabic words with proper stress and intonation.

Marsha Chan The Stress Stretch is particularly effective zfor learners who have a difficult time hearing stress and intonation zfor learners who do not apply what they “know” to their speech

Marsha Chan Use the Stress Stretch for zpolysyllabic words zsentences zdialogs zparagraphs

Marsha Chan Watch the videotape zCoaching an individual student zCommunity college class yChoral yPairs - “Twins” zCorporate class y“Triplets”

Marsha Chan Try it with a partner! Do the Twin Stress Stretch

Marsha Chan Stress Stretch practice words for teachers

Marsha Chan The Eyes Have it! zWhen learners have become sensitized to stress, vowel length, intonation and rhythm, have them open their eyes wide on stressed syllables.

Marsha Chan When and Where Should I Use These Techniques? yPronunciation accent modification class yListening - speaking class yGrammar - writing class yReading - vocabulary class yRegular classroom; language lab yWith one or many students yWhenever you want to dramatize suprasegmental features that students haven't heard or applied to their speech. yActively, as lessons in themselves (students learn to do the actions) yPassively, as supplemental to other language features (students learn to recognize the actions)

Marsha Chan How can I Learn More about These Techniques? zSunburst Media has videotapes to teach you and your students. Visit the web at yPhrase by Phrase Pronunciation and Listening in American EnglishPhrase by Phrase Pronunciation and Listening in American English yUsing your Hands to Teach PronunciationUsing your Hands to Teach Pronunciation yPronunciation WorkoutPronunciation Workout yThe Stress Stretch and Other Teaching TechniquesThe Stress Stretch and Other Teaching Techniques z zTelephone: (408)

Marsha Chan About the Presenter, Marsha Chan zTeaches in the English as a Second Language Department at Mission College in Santa Clara, CaliforniaMission College zPresents frequently at professional conferences and conducts staff development workshops in education and industry zIs the author of book and videotapes that provide audio, visual, and kinesthetic input for learning essential elements of pronunciation. zProvides Internet based learning and phone coaching to clients of Sunburst Media on their written and spoken English zWelcomes comments and suggestions