Welcome to your Pronunciation WebQuest!
Introduction:
Now that we have a brand-new computer lab here at the Access Center,
I have developed a way for each of us to work on our pronunciation
skills using this technology. You can
all work at your own pace, and repeat the pronunciation activities
included in this WebQuest until you have mastered them. I will monitor
your progress and circulate around the room. If you have any
difficulty,
please raise your hand, and I will help you as soon as I can.
Please read about your task below.
Your Task:
You are going to explore several different
websites
that focus on pronunciation.
-
You
are first going identify which sounds are difficult using minimal pairs (Two
words
that have only one sound that's different).
-
Next, you will practice the sounds by listening to native speakers'
voices and explanation.
-
Finally, you will check to see if you can identify the sounds better
after practice.
Step-by-Step
Procedure:
Listen to lesson 4, 10, 12, 18, 22, and 23
on the
webpage.
On your own paper, write down the
word pairs that you find difficult to hear or
understand. At the top of your
paper, write, "My
Pronunciation Inventory."
We will look back at this list
often to keep track, or record, your
pronunciation
progress. Keep this paper in a safe place!
Look back at the
words you have written down on your own paper. Do you see the
differences between the words?
Which sounds are different between
them?
Identify the
sound difference and find it using the Pronunciation Website.
If you have difficulty with the "leave/live" sound
difference, click here.
For words like "think" click here.
For words like "these" click here
and here.
Listen
to the native speaker's
voice. Read about how to position your tongue and
mouth to
produce the sound.Watch the native speaker's mouth as he or she
produces the
sound. Practice on your own.
-
Third, get more practice
using Randall's
ESL Listening Cyber Lab
Start
your practice by identifying the differences between word sounds that
begin
with "R/L" sounds
Continue to
practice with "S/SH" sounds
After you finish,
choose
different pronunciation
activities for individual practice.
When you are ready, go on to
your final task.
that you found difficult at first.
Think about if you
are better at identifying the sound after practice.
Why or why not? Was it helpful to see the position of the mouth
when making
the sound? Write down
the words that are still difficult to
identify. Keep these words in a special place in your
notebook. We will work on these words in future pronunciation
classes.
Listening
and Speaking
Resources:
Evaluation:
After completing this WebQuest, I would like you to go back to NiceNet.org and share your
comments. Please answer the following
questions:
What did you like about the WebQuest?
How easy was it to complete the lesson?
How could this lesson be better?
Which English words do you know better after the pronunciation practice?
Would you like to have more lessons like this one?
Conclusion:
I hope that you have learned how to identify several different English
sounds better. Based on the comments from student
evaluations received on NiceNet.org,
I will change the lesson in the
future. If you have any comment that you do not want the class to
see, send me a personal email: [email protected]
Fall Forum Participants:
Please explore this WebQuest when you have time. I
have set up a special class section named, "Fall Forum Class" at NiceNet.org
so that you can
share your comments as well. You will
have to take a moment and login before you are able to post your
thoughts. Please fill out all required information then enter Class Key: S86040F86
Thanks!!!