1. Beyond Words: Five Tricks to Improve Student Pronunciation Nancy Swisher, Lecturer in ESL, NC State University Editor, the ESL GLOBE nmswishe@ncsu.edu www4.ncsu.edu/~nmswisheESL GLOBE nmswishe@ncsu.edu www4.ncsu.edu/~nmswishe

2. What makes up our accents? phonological characteristics of individual sounds www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/english/frameset.html Minimal pairs: beat/bit, made/mad, pill/bill

3. Five Tricks to Improve Comprehensibility Word, Phrase and Sentence Stress Today I will go to the gym to work out. 0.6 sec. Most men like cars. From Rhythm and Unstress by Howard B. Woods

4. Five Tricks to Improve Comprehensibility Stress content words: nouns / main verbs / adjectives / adverbs negatives / wh-words / interjections Reduce or weaken function words: articles / conjunctions / prepositions pronouns / auxiliary verbs

5. Five Tricks to Improve Comprehensibility Focus in Phrases (thought groups) and Sentences A woman / without her man / is nothing. A woman / without her / man is nothing.

6. Intonation Five Tricks to Improve Comprehensibility The soccer game is this weekend. When? I have to see Dr. Smith. I have to see, Dr. Smith.

7. Five Tricks to Improve Comprehensibility Reduced Forms wannagonnahafta shouldawouldacoulda Whaddaya Say?

8. Five Tricks to Improve Comprehensibility Linking Sup? Sko! Jeet? No, joo? Ledder gedda bedder wädr heedr. What’s up?Let’s go! Did you eat? No, did you? Let her get a better water heater. Mad Gabs Ask Rude Arrive HerA screwdriver Plea Sway Tube Ease Heated Please wait to be seated. Chick He Tub An An UsChiquita bananas