Teaching English Pronunciation

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching English Pronunciation to Students from Japan In my experience teaching elementary and junior high school level English in Japan, several different pronunciation problems appear frequently. The Japanese phonemic inventory is smaller than English's phonemic inventory, and the sounds present in each language differ from each other quite dramatically. Because of this, it can be difficult for native Japanese speakers to learn and master English pronunciation, but there are a few teaching techniques that can help students overcome this difficulty. Table of Contents Consonants Challenge Non-Existent Sounds in the Native Language Vowel Challenge 3 Methods to Work on Problems 1. Visual Representation 2. IPA Phonetics 3. Pronunciation...  [Read more]

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why is Pronunciation Important in Teaching Business English? Nowadays, English is becoming popular due to advanced technology and more people receiving higher education. That Goods, capital, services, people and even knowledge travels around the world make a common and standard language necessary. English is an ideal one. However, when people do business, they still talk most. A standard or conceivable accent is the first step towards a successful deal. This passage aims at emphasizing the importance of pronunciation in teaching business English. Generally speaking, teaching pronunciation specifically is good for students learning and career development. It is also good for teachers to earn more popularity as well as the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles Pronunciation Mistakes Made by Russian Speakers | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this blog post, our recent TEFL graduate shares their thoughts on issues Russian speakers have when they learn English pronunciation. Teaching Job: How Do People See it? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our recent TEFL graduate shares their thoughts on teaching job and its importance for society. Reasons Why Pronunciation is More Difficult for Adults than Children in El Salvador |...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles Top Tips for Teaching English to Younger Students Online | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our TEFL graduate shares their experience of working with ESL children online. They explain all possible difficulties and benefits. What is Challenging in English Pronunciation for Japanese Native Speakers? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This blog post is devoted to the problem of pronunciation. Our TEFL graduate shares their experience of teaching Japanese native speakers....  [Read more]

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences How Important are Phonology and Pronunciation in the English Language Classroom? As a speaker of 5 languages (French being my native one), I've been exposed to different ways of teaching how one particular language sounds and why it sounds that way, what kind of meaning is conveyed using what sounds in what order, and so on. Quite often, I've noticed that in the school system, not enough emphasis is put on studying the sounds that pertain to the language itself. Table of Contents Learning English in a French Environment The Importance of Intonation Other Common Pronunciation Mistakes in English One Innovative Way I Tried to Help My Students In Conclusion Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles The Global Benefits of English as a Second Language | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This blog post is devoted to the topic of global status of English. Our TEFL graduate contemplates upon some benefits for students in learning a global language. Teaching English Pronunciation to Students from Japan | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this blog post, our TEFL graduate shares their experience of teaching pronunciation to Japanese native speakers. General Rules on Building Relationships With...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles Stages of Child Development and Teachers’ Roles | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Our TEFL graduate shares their opinion on the teaching role in child development. Teaching Skills in the ESL Classroom | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This blog post includes information on teaching skills important in ESL. Musings of a Young Teacher: Classroom Management, Involving Parents, and Engaging Students | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this blog post, our TEFL graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles The Benefits of Reading English Stories to Younger Groups of ESL Students | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reading can be helpful in a language acquirement. In this blog post, our TEFL graduate explains why to use reading activities in an ESL class. The Role of the Teacher in an EFL Classroom | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teacher plays an important role in any setting. However, in EFL classes teachers take even more responsibilities. Challenges for Vietnamese Students in American...  [Read more]

Regan McAllister Regan is an American teaching English in northern Japan. A nature enthusiast, she spends her free time hiking up (or skiing down) mountains, playing in the sea, and learning about the different flora around her. Read my articles Teaching English Abroad: The Good, the Bad and Why it’ll Make You a Better Teacher | ITTT | TEFL Blog Regan McAllister TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Living and immersing yourself in a new country can be beautifully exhilarating and full of self-discovery. It can also come with adjustments and challenges. When it comes to teaching English, fully immersing yourself in the country you are in will certainly improve your influence and success as an English teacher. How to Keep English Fun By Diversifying Your Lessons | ITTT | TEFL Blog...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job. Read my articles Child Development According to J. Piaget and L. Vygotsky | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our recent TEFL graduate shares his thoughts on child development according to J. Piaget and L. Vygotsky Teacher’s Confidence in Different Types of Classrooms | ITTT | TEFL Blog Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This blog post is written by our recent TEFL graduate who shares her thoughts on building teacher's confidence in the classroom. English Pronunciation Problems of Italian Native...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Read my articles Navigating Learning Difficulties: Understanding, Strategies, and Success | ITTT | TEFL Blog Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Unveil the realm of learning difficulties. Discover insights into causes, strategies, and resilience against challenges. Benefits and Challenges of Personalized Language Learning through 1-to-1 Teaching | ITTT | TEFL Blog Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Explore the pros and cons of one-to-one language teaching. Personalized learning vs. limited peer interaction. Top 5 Free Resources for ESL Teachers | ITTT | TEFL Blog Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Teachers, new and experienced spend a lot of time planning lessons and preparing materials. Anything that can help reduce...  [Read more]

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Most Common Problems Students in Spain Face When Learning English For non-native English student in Spain, specific difficulties may be encountered when learning English. A good English teacher will help a student address those difficulties including, but not limited to, pronunciation, listening, and grammar. Table of Contents Lack in Listening Comprehension "Unlearning" Mispronunciation Regional Dialects Create More Difficulties Grammar Patterns and Word Order Are you ready to teach English in Spain? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post A good English teacher to non-native English students requires a solid foundation in the knowledge of English as the student relies on the teacher as the main source of the...  [Read more]

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences The Most Distinct Differences between American and British English When it comes to learning English, non-native speakers can feel quite torn on whether they should learn British English or American English. They have their similarities, but can contrast each other strongly. The differences can be confusing for English speakers as well. The diversity in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary can really throw you off. In this article, I will be focusing on these three topics. Let's explore spelling, shall we? Table of Contents Important Spelling Differences Differences in Word Choice Same Word - Different Pronunciation Other Things to Consider Are you ready to teach English abroad? Listen to this blog post Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Mon, 13 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Teachers Need to Be Careful with British English and American English Learning English is very difficult, there are many various grammatical and spelling differences between the English spoken throughout the world. Most notably is British and American English grammar. There are also differences in the pronunciation and meanings of many words. While you would think learning English would be a simple task, it is not, after all how different can English be from English? There are a few additional factors - Canadian, Australian, South African, Indian English, etc. have their own differences, these are differences that must be taken into consideration while you study the English Language. Table of Contents Why Learners Have to...  [Read more]

Agency Week TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Agency Week TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts A.D. - India said: PHONETICS?The English Language must be introduced to the Indian students by using the phonetics in all the schools?. The English Language is difficult to learn as far as the spelling and their pronunciation goes and the same can be well understood by George Bernard Shaw?s poem ?Hints on Pronunciation for Foreigners?. The same is also evident with the examples of similar spellings but different pronunciations as well as different spellings but same pronunciations...  [Read more]

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Native Language Experience in Second Language Acquisition A language is a tool for people to communicate, so there must be some connections among different languages, include similarities and differences. If we can use their similarities properly and pay attention to differences, different languages can be interlinked. Therefore, the first language not only has a positive impact but also hurts second language acquisition. We call these effects 'language transfer'. There are two kinds of language transfer, positive transfer, and negative transfer. Table of Contents Benefits and Drawbacks Research in the Field Anticipated Problems Results Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences The Most Common Problems Students in Nigeria Face When Learning English In recent times, it is safe to say that the English language is one of the most spoken languages and widely preferred L2s according to the Oxford dictionary. For communication to be successful, however, certain criteria need to be met. For instance, one must not only study the forms or shape of things but must also adhere to the formation of words and phrases alike in order to craft well-formed sentences, along with understanding the meaning of each word, phrase or the relationship between two words. Whether they differ or are similar in terms of phonetics and spelling before actually making use of it, it is important to note that anything contrary to this will...  [Read more]

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 Regan McAllister TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Value of Perfecting Pronunciation Learning another language has many different components. There is vocabulary, grammar, new sounds and sometimes a new alphabet. There are the receptive (passive) skills of reading and listening and the productive (active) skills of writing and speaking. Ideally, all components are learned at a similar pace to achieve a well rounded grasp on the target language. Unfortunately, this often isn't how language learning transpires. Instead, it is common for learners to excel in certain areas while others will require more time and effort. As a teacher, it can be easy to lean into students' strengths and focus less on their weaknesses. Generally, the receptive skills...  [Read more]

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Common Speaking Challenges in China I came to China 4 years ago to teach English. I have not managed to learn Mandarin in that time frame but I did learn quite a bit about the differences in pronunciation between Mandarin and American English. The most common errors made by Chinese students generally come from the habit of translating to their native language. English and Mandarin share some similarities such as word order and sentence structure which also complicate the issue. In this essay, I will discuss teaching pronunciation, the problems that can occur when teaching pronunciations, and the issues that occur with Mandarin speakers learning English. Table of Contents Pronunciation Intonation Phonics Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What is Challenging in English Pronunciation for Japanese Native Speakers? What's the most difficult part of learning a new language? Is it writing? Perhaps it's the reading or memorizing new vocabulary? Well for some it's speaking the new language, specifically when it comes to pronunciation. Every language has its unique ways or pronouncing their vowels and constants as well as how they form their sentence structure. Especially this write up will focus on Japanese English as a Second Language (ESL) students and the difficulties they face while learning English and its pronunciation. Table of Contents Japanese Writing Teaching Approach Pronunciation Differences Further Steps Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL...  [Read more]

Thu, 07 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Most Common Pronunciation Problems for English Learners in Myanmar Assuming it has already been understood generally, I do not intend to elaborate on the reasons between Myanmar and Burma, even though it still remains unknown to many. In this essay, I will be using 'Burmese' or 'Burmese language' to refer to the language and 'Myanmar' for the country. Language acquisition can understandably present several challenges ranging from alphabets, accent, construction styles, pronunciation, etc. Depending on several factors, different language speakers will have different challenges. While one part is no less difficult than another, I reckon, in Myanmar, there is one component that most learners seem to have similar difficulty in taking...  [Read more]

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Several Pronunciations Troubles Faced by The Japanese Native Speakers The differences between many Asiatic languages' pronunciation and that of English form the basis for a multitude of miscommunications between international interlocutors. My experience living in Japan provides plentiful evidence to support this assertion. When my Japanese associates and I communicate in English, I notice three significant pronunciation struggles for my conversation partners. For the Japanese who are learning English, the clear enunciation of the /th/ sound, the fricative quality of the /v/ consonant, and the distinction of /l/ versus /r/ formation of the tongue. Table of Contents Language Structure Difficult sounds Do you want to teach English...  [Read more]

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Should Chinese ESL Students Have Explicit Phonetic Instruction? During nine years of teaching English as a Second language, I have discovered how important phonetics is in learning the correct pronunciation of the English language, and in fact, in any language. Derwing and Munro (2005) emphasize, "It is essential to have an accurate understanding of the target language phonological system to enhance the quality of pronunciation". Table of Contents We should look at some of the problems that L2 learners have when trying to produce accurate L1 language patterns. We also have to take into account the students. Chinese students are very reluctant to speak in a classroom setting. So what pronunciation mistakes are most common? Do you...  [Read more]

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to Teach the Correct Pronunciation of L, R, V, and F Many students of English as a Second Language (ESL) find that, of the many struggles they have with the language, pronunciation is the most difficult to master. Table of Contents Working on Fluency Difficult Sounds: Part 1 How to Teach? Difficult Sounds: Part 2 How to Teach? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Listen to this blog post Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sophie M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Working on Fluency Pronunciation is an extremely important ability to have to sound more fluent in English. By gaining the knowledge and skill of...  [Read more]

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching Phonetics This will be a discussion aimed at presenting both the advantages and disadvantages of teaching phonetics. We will show how teaching phonetics help create approachability and reinforce language similarities. Inversely we will look at how English suffers from inconsistent phonetic rules and the conflict between words as written and words as said. We will also look at methods to mitigate these issues. Table of Contents Self-awareness Noticing language similarities English rules Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mitchell D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent...  [Read more]

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Problems for Learners of English in Mandarin Speaking China Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of teaching English as a foreign language online for a company called Education First. The format would normally be an internationally diverse group in an audio-only platform. During these sessions, I found that my students from China would have specific challenges in pronunciation that many of my European and Brazilian students would not. I recognized their tendency to add an "a" at the end of words that clearly ended in a consonant. Unfortunately, I was not educated enough in the specific challenges that Mandarin speakers faced in their attempt to learn English. I'm scheduled to begin teaching in China later this year, and...  [Read more]

Which English should be taught in the TEFL classroom? In the field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), the choice of English variation often depends on the specific preferences of a country: In conclusion, TEFL teachers should be aware of a country's preference and adapt their teaching accordingly. Map created by reddit user Speech500 Source: moverdb.com Table of Contents How exactly do these forms of English differ? Spelling Differences British Grammar vs. American Grammar Same Word - Different Pronunciation Differences in word for the same object Other considerations How exactly do these forms of English differ? There are a number of major differences which we will examine. The following are in no way exhaustive and you should investigate for yourself for more examples....  [Read more]

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Challenges of the French Native Speakers in English Learning Several surveys, such as EF (Education First), have shown that France has the worst English level in the European Union. We shall explain, firstly, why French students have problems in learning English and what these problems are. Then, secondly, we shall share solutions to these problems. Table of Contents Origin of Typical Difficulties Global Status of French Lack of Exposure to English Academical Importance Common Vocabulary Tenses Pronunciation Lesson Ideas Ways to Engage Grammar and Vocabulary Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohamed S. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Struggles of the Chinese Native Speakers Learning English Most researchers agree that the learner's first language influences the pronunciation of the target language and is a significant factor in accounting for foreign accents. So-called interference or interference from the first language is likely to cause errors in aspiration, stress, and intonation in the target language. Table of Contents Phonetics Unusual Sounds Language Structure Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vesna A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Phonetics Some Chinese students tend to have...  [Read more]

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Challenges for Brazilian Learners of English Brazilians are learning English all over the country, for various reasons and with diverse goals. In this text, I would like to approach some very common deviations to standard English dialects, such as General American and Received Pronunciation, by Brazilian speakers. I have chosen to address some problems in phonetics and pronunciation that are the most frequent in my classes. I also give attention to some problems in word linking that generate tough challenges for English teachers. Table of Contents Official Language Influence Pronunciation Vowels Consonants Diphthongs Linking Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our...  [Read more]