Pronunciation & Accent Reduction (ELIUP 068)
Winter Quarter 2005
Days: Monday
through Friday Time/Place:
Office
phone: (425) 564-3067 Email: dclark@bcc.ctc.edu
Office hours: M-Th
OVERVIEW
The Pronunciation & Accent Reduction elective is designed to help upper level ESL students gain proficiency and confidence in spoken English. This class will methodically expose students to the major principles of the English sound system, beginning with enunciation of vowel and consonant sounds. Course content progresses to increasingly larger "chunks" of language, such as word and sentence stress, thought groups, intonation, and linking. Students will practice daily in class, and some exercises will be assigned as homework.
Regular
attendance, active participation, and regular outside class preparation are
required.
TEXTBOOK
Focus On Pronunciation
2 by
LEARNING OUTCOMES
When you finish this course, you will be able to:
· Express how your native language influences your English pronunciation
· Assess features of your own accent including the sound system and mouth movement
· Receive feedback on your specific areas of difficulty and begin to self-correct as you become aware of your own problems
· Utilize effective body language, such as eye contact, facial expressions and gestures
· Use enunciation techniques to improve comprehensibility
· Adjust your rate of speech by including appropriate pauses
· Utilize English stress patterns that aid emphasis, fluency, and overall comprehensibility
· Control speech volume in order to influence the audience’s perception of your confidence
· Recognize the strengths of your accent and understand how those strengths are part of your identity
EVALUATION
- 25% of the grade for the class will be based on participation
· 25% of the grade for the class will be based on recorded homework assignments
- 25% of the grade for the class will be based on quizzes and tests
- 25% of the grade for the class will be based on the final imitation project
- A = 93-100% B = 84-92% C = 75-83% D = 70-75% F= less than 70%
PARTICIPATION
Each day you will receive 7 points for participation and those points will comprise 25% of your grade. Points for participation on a given day are awarded for the following:
· volunteering comments, asking questions, and otherwise being an active participant
· being on time for class
· bringing your text and other materials required for class that day
· listening to classmates when they are talking,
responding if possible, and trying to help others
MATERIALS
You
will need:
·
a new, blank VHS videotape for the final
imitation project
·
For recorded
homework assignments, there are several options. You may record on regular-sized cassette tape and submit only the cassette. If you use a mini or micro cassette
machine, you will also need to submit the device for listening. Some students have submitted zip disks or
emailed cell phone recordings to satisfy the homework requirements.
· A small hand mirror for in-class enunciation and pronunciation practice is very helpful.
ATTENDANCE
Regular
class attendance is essential for success.
Students cannot maximize accent reduction or get a desirable grade if
they are not present. In addition, tardiness on a consistent basis will affect
participation points.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are
required to meet with the Disability Support Services (DSS) office, room B233-G
(telephone 425.564.2498 or TTY 425.564.4110), to establish their eligibility
for accommodation. The DSS office will provide each eligible student with
an accommodation letter. Students who require accommodation in class must
review the DSS accommodation letter with each instructor during the first week
of the quarter.
Students with mobility challenges who may need assistance in
case of an emergency situation or evacuation should register with Disability
Support Services, or review those needs with the instructor as well.