Pronunciation for Second Language Learners

About

Speakers of English as a Second Language (ESL) may demonstrate an accent that varies from Standard American English (SAE) accent. The sound system of a speaker’s native language may influence pronunciation of English in at least three ways:

1. Sounds in English may not be a part of a speaker’s native language.
2. The rules for combining sounds into words are different in a learner’s native language.
3. The patterns of stress and intonation in a native language may be transferred into English.

Given the biological, socio-cultural, personality, and linguistic factors which affect acquisition of a second language, eradication of a foreign accent may be an unrealistic goal. However, training in pronunciation may enhance a speaker’s ability to be understood, and may be a personal goal of the client. It is possible for adult ESL learners to improve their pronunciation of English.

Who can this affect?

People for whom English is a second or foreign language.

Evaluation services

Assessment of:

• hearing
• oral-motor mechanism and function
• production and discrimination of English vowels and consonants
• intonation

Management services

• training in discrimination (hearing differences) of sounds
• production of sounds in isolation
• production of sounds at the word, sentence, and conversational level
• intonation training