Pronunciation - Student Book - Les 1

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PRONUNCIATION FOR IELTS
Lesson 1
"Expect problems and eat them for breakfast."

Alfred A. Montapert, the author of The Supreme Philosophy of Man: The Laws of Life
Hanoi: No. 330 Ba Trieu, Hai Ba Trung District; No. 89 Yen Lang, Dong Da District
Website: www.res.vn; Hotline: 0979043610
Lesson 1
LESSON 1
SENTENCE STRESS
Pronunciation Tips
You should be aware that most English language learners need to work on their
pronunciation. Pronunciation is not something that can be improved in just a week. It takes
most learners many weeks to improve their pronunciation. This is because they need to
improve their awareness and listening skills in order to improve pronunciation and this
takes time. So, you should start your pronunciation practice at least 3 months before the
IELTS exams.
You will not be marked down just for having an accent, but you will be marked down if your
accent makes your English unclear. So, improving the areas of pronunciation that affect
speech clarity is really important. For example, improving your word stress and sentence
stress is very important. You will improve the most important areas for your speech clarity
with the Pronunciation for IELTS course.
Errors in pronunciation may mean that the examiners cannot understand some words that
you say. Don’t let your pronunciation in the IELTS Speaking exam ruins your chances of
getting the highest IELTS score you can.
When you learn a new word, you should always take notice of the pronunciation. You
should pay attention to the sounds in the word, but also particular attention to the syllable
stress and schwa.
Lesson 1
Lesson 1
How To Improve Your Pronunciation
One of the most important aspects of learning English is pronunciation. Without clear
pronunciation, it is difficult to make yourself understood. First start by learning individual
sounds. After that, focus on the music of the language. You might be surprised by the
following statement: Pronouncing every word correctly leads to poor pronunciation! Good
pronunciation comes from stressing the right words — this is because English is a time-
stressed language.
In other words, some words — the content words — receive more focus, whereas other
words — function words — are less important. Learn more below.
Difficulty: Hard
Time Required: Varies
Here's How to Improve Your Pronunciation:

1. Start with learning individual sounds. These are called phonemes.
2. Use minimal pairs to practice individual vowel sounds. Minimal pairs are words in which only
one sound changes. For example, pop - pep - pip - pap changes the vowel sound. Using
minimal pairs helps you isolate a sound to really focus on the small changes in sounds
between vowels.
3. Learn pairs of consonants that are voiced and voiceless and practice through minimal pairs.
For example, f / v the 'f' sound is voiceless and the 'v' voiced. You can recognize the
difference between voiced and voiceless by placing a finger on your throat. Voiced sounds
vibrate, whereas voiceless sounds do not vibrate. These pairs include: b / p - z / s - d / t - v / f
- zh / sh - dj / ch.
4. Learn the difference between pure vowels and diphthongs such as the 'oi' sound in 'boy' or
'aee' sound in 'tray'.
5. Learn the following rules concerning pronunciation.
6. English is considered a stressed language while many other languages are considered
syllabic.
7. In other languages, such as French or Italian, each syllable receives equal importance (there
is stress, but each syllable has its own length).
8. English pronunciation focuses on specific stressed words while quickly gliding over the other,
non-stressed, words.
9. Stressed words are considered content words: Nouns e.g. kitchen, Peter — (most) principal
verbs e.g. visit, construct — Adjectives e.g. beautiful, interesting — Adverbs e.g. often,
carefully.
10. Non-stressed words are considered function words: Determiners e.g. the, a — Auxiliary
verbs e.g. am, were — Prepositions e.g. before, of — Conjunctions e.g. but, and —
Pronouns e.g. they, she
11. Read the following sentence aloud: The beautiful Mountain appeared transfixed in the distance.
12. Read the following sentence aloud: He can come on Sundays as long as he doesn't have to
do any homework in the evening.
13. Notice that the first sentence actually takes about the same time to speak well.
14. Even though the second sentence is approximately 30% longer than the first, the sentences
take the same time to speak. This is because there are 5 stressed words in each sentence.
15. Write down a few sentences, or take a few example sentences from a book or exercise.
16. First underline the stressed words, then read aloud focusing on stressing the underlined
words and gliding over the non-stressed words.
17. Be surprised at how quickly your pronunciation improves! By focusing on stressed words,
non-stressed words and syllables take on their more muted nature.
18. When listening to native speakers, focus on how those speakers stress certain words and
begin to copy this.
Lesson 1
More Tips on Improving Pronunciation
1. Remember that non-stressed words and syllables are often 'swallowed' in English.
2. Always focus on pronouncing stressed words well, non-stressed words can be glided over.
3. Don't focus on pronouncing each word. Focus on the stressed words in each sentence.
A. SENTENCE STRESS
1. Emphasizing important words
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Lesson 1
Lesson 1
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Lesson 1
2. Strong forms – weak forms
Lesson 1
B. PRACTICE
Lesson 1
C. GAME Lesson 1
Lesson 1 PRONUNCIATION FOR IELTS
Lesson 1
D. SELF TEST
Lesson 1
Pronunciation: Changing Meaning through Word Stress
When you are speaking English the words you stress can change the underlying meaning of
a sentence. Let's take a look at the following sentence:
I don't think he should get the job.
This simple sentence can have many levels of meaning based on the word you stress.
Consider the meaning of the following sentences with the stressed word in bold. Read each
sentence aloud and give a strong stress to the word in bold:

Meaning: Somebody else thinks he should get the job.

Meaning: It's not true that I think he should get the job.
I don't think he should get that job.

Meaning: That's not really what I mean. OR I'm not sure he'll get that job.

Meaning: Somebody else should get that job.

Meaning: In my opinion it's wrong that he's going to get that job.

Meaning: He should have to earn (be worthy of, work hard for) that job.

Meaning: He should get another job.

Meaning: Maybe he should get something else instead.
As you can see, there are many different ways this sentence can be understood. The
important point to remember is that the true meaning of the sentence is also expressed
through the stressed word or words.
Lesson 1
Here is an exercise to help you develop the art of correct word stress. Take the following
sentence:
I said she might consider a new haircut.
Say the sentence aloud using the stress word marked in bold. Once you have spoken the
sentence a few times, match the sentence version to the meaning below. You will find the
answers to this quiz on the following page.
1. I said she might consider a new haircut.

· Not just a haircut.

· It's a possibility.
· It was my idea.
· Not something else.
· Don't you understand me?
· Not another person.
· She should think about it. it's a good idea.
Exercise: Write out a number of sentences. Read each of them stressing a different word
each time you read them. Notice how the meaning changes depending on which word you
stress. Don't be afraid to exaggerate the stress, in English we often use this device to add
meaning to a sentence. It's very possible that when you think you are exaggerating, it will
sound quite natural to native speakers.
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Lesson 1
Pronunciation for conversations - At the airport
You can expect polite questions when checking-in, going through customs, and boarding
plans at the airport. Private questions are asked with 'can' and 'may'. Study vocabulary
related to travel to help you prepare you for speaking English in airports. Practice these
basic English dialogues with a partner. Remember to always be polite in airports especially
when speaking to customs officials and security officers.
Finally, some countries ask you to declare presents and other items you have bought in
other countries when you return home. If you are a student or plan to stay in the country a
long time, you'll also need to have a visa for entrance into most countries.
Important Questions at Check-in
Expect these questions when checking in at an airport:
Can I have your ticket, please?

May I see your passport, please?
Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
Do you have any baggage?
What is your final destination?
Would you like to upgrade to business / first class?
Do you need any help getting to the gate?
Check-in Practice Dialog
Passenger Service Agent: Good morning. Can I have your ticket, please?
Passenger: Here you are.
Passenger Service Agent: Would you like a window or an aisle seat?
Passenger: An aisle seat, please.
Passenger Service Agent: Do you have any baggage?
Passenger: Yes, this suitcase and this carry-on bag.
Passenger Service Agent: Here's your boarding pass. Have a nice flight.
Passenger: Thank you.
Going through Security
After you've checked in, you'll need to go through airport security. It's important to follow
instructions carefully and understand these requests:
Please step through the scanner. - Asked when passing through metal detectors at the
airport.
Please step to the side. - Asked if a security officer needs to ask further questions.
Please raise your arms to the side. - Asked when inside a scanner.
Empty your pockets, please.
Lesson 1 PRONUNCIATION FOR IELTS
Please take off your shoes and belt.

Please take any electronic devices out of your bag.
Security Practice Dialog
Security officer: Next!

Passenger: Here's my ticket.
Security officer: Please step through the scanner.
Passenger: (beep, beep, beep) What's wrong?!
Security officer: Please step to the side.
Passenger: Certainly.
Security officer: Do you have any coins in your pocket?
Passenger: No, but I have some keys.
Security officer: Ah, that's the problem. Put your keys in this bin and walk through the
scanner again.
Passenger: Okay.
Security officer: Excellent. No problem. Remember to unload your pockets before you go
through security next time.
Passenger: I'll do that. Thank you.
Security officer: Have a nice day.
Passport Control and Customs
If you take an international flight, you'll have to pass through passport control and customs.
Here are some of the most common questions you can expect:
Can I see your passport?

Are you a tourist or on business? - Asked at customs to find out the purpose of your visit.
Do you have anything to declare?
- Sometimes people need to declare things they have bought in other countries.
Have you brought any food into the country? - Some countries do not allow certain foods to
be brought into the country.
Passport Control and Customs Dialogs
Passport official: Good morning. Can I see your passport?

Passenger: Here you are.
Passport official: Thank you very much. Are you a tourist or on business?
Passenger: I'm a tourist.
Passport official: That's fine. Have a pleasant stay.
Passenger: Thank you.
Customs official: Good morning. Do you have anything to declare?

Passenger: I'm not sure. I have two bottles of whiskey. Do I need to declare that?
Customs official: No, you can have up to three liters.
Passenger: Great.
Customs official: Have you brought any food into the country?
Passenger: Just some cheese I bought in France.
Lesson 1
Customs official: I'm afraid I'll have to take that.
Passenger: Why? It's just some cheese.
Customs official: Unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring cheese into the country. I'm
sorry.
Passenger: That's strange! Oh well. Here you are.
Customs official: Thank you. Anything else?
Passenger: I bought a t-shirt for my daughter.
Customs official: That's fine. Have a nice day.
Passenger: You, too.
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Pronunciation - Student Book - Les 1

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Website: www.res.

vn; Hotline: 0979043610

"Expect problems and eat them for breakfast."

Here's How to Improve Your Pronunciation:

2. Strong forms – weak forms

I don't think he should get the job.

I don't think he should get the job.

I don't think he should get the job.

I don't think he should get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

I don't think he should get that job.

I said she might consider a new haircut.

1. I said she might consider a new haircut.

· Not just a haircut.

Important Questions at Check-in

Expect these questions when checking in at an airport:

Can I have your ticket, please?

Check-in Practice Dialog

Going through Security

Please take off your shoes and belt.

Security Practice Dialog

Security officer: Next!

Passport Control and Customs

Can I see your passport?

Passport Control and Customs Dialogs

Passport official: Good morning. Can I see your passport?

Customs official: Good morning. Do you have anything to declare?

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