Teaching English Pronunciation Using Role Playing and Other Games

In the past, textbooks have skirted the issue of teaching pronunciation to ESL students. It is, however imperative that proper pronunciation be taught, not only for the speakers to be understood, but to boost the students' self-confidence and ready them for the English speaking world.

There are several theories on how to teach English pronunciation.

Most of them involve rote memorization of the pronunciation of vocabulary words and drilling. These methods can work well for some students, particularly those with mother tongues similar to English, but may leave a large portion of an EFL class adrift.

The correct method for teaching English pronunciation

So how should we teach pronunciation? Start at the beginning, and break the words down into their smallest components. These are called phonemes. Phonemes are the distinct sounds that help us differentiate words; the /p/ in pat and pan versus the /c/ in cat and can. Begin by letting students listen to these differing sounds until they can identify the various ones in class exercises. Then they can start trying to articulate on a basic level.

It is like a child learning to speak, though at an accelerated speed; phonemes are combined into words, words are strung into sentences.

The process is fine tuned over time, by hearing and vocalizing the varying sounds, and intonation and syllable stress will follow. You can find diagrams of the proper way to hold the lips and tongue to properly form more difficult sounds like 'g' and 'r'. These can help reduce frustration among the students when you teach sounds that are articulated inside the mouth, and watching videos of English speakers will help them to start developing proper facial expressions.

The three barriers to learning English pronunciation

Cultural identity, anxiety, and learned helplessness are the most common obstacles to the ESL student's ability to learn English pronunciation. Fortunately, all three problems have simple solutions.

Cultural identity can be a strong reason for not wanting to assimilate completely into the English speaking mainstream. An accent may remind a person of their heritage and roots, and may not be a mark they wish to give up. The best way to achieve proper pronunciation without eradicating an accent is to use videos of English speakers to encourage the students to imitate their accents and styles in a spirit of fun!

Hold an impersonation night when students can prepare their own spoofs of famous celebrities. Tape them so they can hear themselves later - this will be a great boost when they hear how well they mimic the proper pronunciation of words while assuming another identity.

If you have a mixed ethnic class, have the students take turns teaching each other words and phrases from their varying languages; this will foster understanding and patience as they hear different languages spoken with foreign accents. Remember, Japanese spoken with an English or American accent will sound just as different to them as accented English does to a native English speaker. This will also help them improve their pronunciation skills.

Get tapes of English speakers from around the world. Have the class listen to them, then to you as you repeat the dialogue. They can impersonates you and the speakers on the tapes, and see the differences as well as the similarities. These can all be fun group activities to include in your daily curriculum.

The problem of anxiety can also be resolved with games! Students will learn to relax and enjoy themselves with simple repetitive exercises like Jazz Chants and handclap rhymes. This will encourage them to participate and make them more willing to experiment with different sounds. Again, role playing and impersonations can help these students feel comfortable donning another identity, and this often leads to an increased participation on the part of overly anxious or self-conscious students.

Learned helplessness is probably the hardest symptom to diagnose. The term refers to the psychological reaction most people have in a hopeless situations; after a few futile tries, the mind and body throw in the towel. This often improperly attributed to laziness, but if a student has failed repeatedly to improve his/her English skills, or gotten negative feedback on their pronunciation, they may have simply given up.

Fortunately, once it is recognized the fix for this is simple. Positive reinforcement is the key. Praise frequently and specifically, and chart the students progress on audio tape so they can hear it for themselves at regular intervals. You and they will be impressed at how far they have come! If you can coax out even the smallest bit of progress and follow it immediately with affirmation and support, even the most self conscious students will stand a little taller and tackle the next step with renewed confidence.

Teaching pronunciation can be a rewarding experience for yourself as well as your students, and devoting just a fraction of the class time each day will yield great results!

Fun ESL games and activities
Games and activities to teach pronunciation and practise English