Lesson Plan ericaroqueteacher@gmail.

com
Pronunciation Project

Question Intonation – 10-minute lesson

Lesson Objectives:

• Students will understand suprasegmental intonation in questions and be able to mimic that
intonation.

Necessary materials:

• Copies of “Question Intonation”. (Can be printed double-sided)

Task and time Step-by-step Purpose

Introduce the Usually, rising intonation is seen as the correct Have the students start
idea of sentence intonation for asking questions in general. Tell the thinking about
intonation. students that although this can be correct in some intonation and break
~2 min cases, it doesn’t apply to all situations. the idea that questions
always come with rising
intonation.
Introduce the Ask the students to follow the handout and go over Have a controlled
rules to the the rules with you. Have them use their hands to practice as they absorb
students mimic the movement of the arrows. Make sure they new information.
~6 min are all doing that.
Go over the rules in the handout.
1. Explain the rule. Allow yourself about 1
minute for each situation.
2. Read each sentence while moving your hand
according to the arrow.
3. Have students repeat the sentence while also
moving their hands.
Allow yourself more time for rules number 4 and 5.
Explain the real meaning for rule 5 and why they are
yes/no questions.
• “Do you want juice or water” – can mean “do
you want a drink?”, or “are you thirsty?”
• “Are you going to turn in your homework
today or tomorrow?” – This question is about
timeline but a little different. It usually means
“Are you almost finished with your
homework?”
Final Practice Pair up the students and have them read the dialogues Have the students
~2 min in the handout. Ask them to pay attention to the practice freely the
situation described and the arrows that indicate knowledge they were
intonation. just exposed to.
Go around the room and offer help whenever you
think is necessary.
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Pronunciation Project

Question Intonation
1. Yes/No Questions – Rising intonation
• Do you wanna build a snowman?
• Can you play the piano?
• Are you from Argentina?
• Have you eaten?
2. WH- Questions (That ask for information) – Falling intonation
• When can we do this again?
• Where are you from?
• What time is it?
• How are you?
3. Wh-Questions (That ask for clarification or show surprise) – Rising intonation
• When can we do this again?
• Where are you from?
• What time is it?
• How are you?
4. Alternative choice questions – Rising, Falling intonation

• Do you want juice or water?

(Possible answers: Juice, please./Water, thank you.)

• Are you going to turn in your homework today or tomorrow?

(Possible answers: Today./Tomorrow.)

5. Yes/No Questions – Rising intonation

• Do you want juice or water?

(Possible answers: Yes, juice!/ Yes, water./ No, thank you.)

• Are you going to turn in your homework today or tomorrow?

(Possible answers: Yes, today./ Yes, tomorrow./ No, next week.)
Lesson Plan ericaroqueteacher@gmail.com
Pronunciation Project

First Dialog – Two classmates meet and talk about class.

A: Hi (Name), How are you?

B: Doing well. And you?
A: I’m good too. Hey, I just wanted to ask you… did you finish the homework?
B: Not yet. Do we have to deliver it tomorrow or on Monday?
A: On Monday.
B: Oh! Good! That gives me more time to work, then.
A: So, I was thinking. Where did you mention you liked to go hiking?
B: To the hot springs in Springville. When would you like to go?
A: Maybe on the weekend. Do you want to come with?
B: That would be awesome!

Second dialogue – Two strangers make conversation at the bus stop

A: Wow! What’s wrong with this weather?

B: I know right! Is it true that the last time it rained like this was 10 years ago?
A: I think so. Are you taking the bus to campus?
B: Yes, I have a class soon. Are you going there too?
A: Yes, I’m studying biology there. What about you?
B: I study biology too! I’m a freshman! When are you graduating?
A: Next year.
B: Do you know professor Willis? What can you tell me about him?
A: He’s a great professor but make sure you study well. His tests are hard.