English Pronunciation for a Global World

Group pronunciation practice

Instructions

How this activity supports learning

Working in groups can be an effective, engaging, and non-
threatening way for students to practise pronunciation. It also offers
an opportunity for students to give each other feedback and for you
to gather useful diagnostic information.

In this activity, students rehearse a short extract together, thinking

about different aspects of pronunciation, including nuclear
For more on diagnostic testing and peer
(sentence) stress, word stress, and difficult words and sounds. It is and self-assessment, see page 23 of
suitable for students of different levels and age groups, from upper- English Pronunciation for a Global World:
www.oup.com/elt/expert
primary to adult.

Classroom instructions Variations

Before the lesson: The activity could be carried out using a variety of text
types, both dialogues and monologues. These might be
Choose two to three sentences—preferably complex
drawn from authentic sources such as weather forecasts,
sentences—from a text that your students are already
taken from coursebooks, or written by students.
familiar with. Graded readers are often suitable for this
purpose. Insert your extract into the box at the top of the If the text you have used has been transcribed from a
worksheet and make a copy for each student. recording, students could listen to the recording after the
activity and compare the speaker’s pronunciation to their
During the lesson:
own.
1 Ask students to look at the extract and say what
With higher-level students, you could discuss the
they remember about the context. Check their
intonation they use for each group of words.
understanding of any difficult words.

2 In pairs or small groups, students work through stages

1–4 of the activity, thinking about where to pause,
which words and syllables to stress, and how to
pronounce difficult words.

3 Students rehearse the text quietly by themselves.

They then take turns practising it in their pairs or small
groups.

Ask the students who are listening to give feedback to

the student who is speaking. For example, they could
give feedback on one good point about the student’s
pronunciation and one area for improvement.

During this stage, move around the class, helping

students as required. You can also listen to individual
students and note down your observations.

4 If the technology is available, ask students to record

themselves. Use this recording to assess your students
or ask them to use it to self-assess their strengths and
weaknesses.

PRINTABLE © Oxford University Press

 Group pronunciation practice
Example

You are going to practise this extract in pairs or small groups. Read the extract. Then follow the
steps below.

The Mole worked very hard all morning, / cleaning his little home. // He brushed, /
and he washed; // he cleaned the floors and the walls, // he stood on chairs to
wash the tops of cupboards, // he got under the beds, // he took up the carpets. //
He cleaned and he cleaned, / until his arms and his back ached with tiredness. //

1 Where will you pause? Mark the places in the text. Use / for a short pause and
// for a long pause.

2 Look at each group of words. Which syllables will carry the main stress? Underline them.

3 What words and sounds in the text are difficult to pronounce? Practise saying them separately.

brushed cupboards ached tiredness

4 Practise the text by yourself. Then practise it in your pair or group.

PRINTABLE © Oxford University Press

 Group pronunciation practice

You are going to practise this extract in pairs or small groups. Read the extract. Then follow the
steps below.

1 Where will you pause? Mark the places in the text. Use / for a short pause and
// for a long pause.

2 Look at each group of words. Which syllables will carry the main stress? Underline them.

3 What words and sounds in the text are difficult to pronounce? Practise saying them separately.

4 Practise the text by yourself. Then practise it in your pair or group.

PRINTABLE © Oxford University Press