Santa Barbara Library - Pronunciation Workshop

Pronunciation Workshop
SBPL Literacy Newsletter: Winter 09by Heidi J. Sinavsky

The Adult Literacy Program kicked off 2009 with a Pronunciation Workshop for tutors on January 12. Pronunciation expert Bonnie Blakley, who teaches ESL and Spanish at City College’s Adult Education division, shared knowledge about how to help your learner with their pronunciation.

If you are working with a second language learner who would like help with pronunciation, keep in mind some of the following:

~ Getting a “yes you can attitude” is essential for learning.
~ Practice pronunciation as a regular topic and when the opportunity presents itself.
~ Regular reinforcement is important !
~ Become aware of what you, the tutor, are doing with your mouth.
~ When you say words, notice how your mouth, tongue, and face move.

Bonnie also recommended a website for demonstrations and diagrams of the mouth and tongue making different sounds. These can really help your learner when trying to form words, or pronounce syllables. Bonnie also recommended these useful tips:

~ When pronouncing the “p” or the “wh” sound hold a strip of paper in front of the mouth and puff the paper out when making the sound.
~ Use a CD as a mirror to look at the mouth when saying a word.
~ Let your learner feel their lips and mouth with their hands.

~ Let them relax the muscles in lips and mouth for English intonation.
~ You can use dialogues and “jazz chants” to improve your learner’s intonation and rhythm.
~ We have jazz chants books at the Literacy office, so come and check them out !

READ MORE