ENGL 8221 English Pronunciation

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Questions and Answers

What is the main goal of an English Proficiency Certificate Test (EPT)?

  • To teach students advanced grammatical concepts.
  • To improve students' writing skills.
  • To determine students' proficiency levels in English. (correct)
  • To introduce students to English literature.

Which aspect of English language does ENGL 8221 primarily focus on?

  • Competent articulation and correct production of English sounds. (correct)
  • English literature analysis.
  • Advanced reading comprehension.
  • Academic writing skills.

Which of the following is a key element of the methodology used in modern language teaching, as per the course description?

  • Dictation exercises.
  • Translation of texts.
  • Memorization of vocabulary lists.
  • Participatory method. (correct)

What proportion does the final examination contribute to the overall evaluation in ENGL 8221?

<p>40% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which English proficiency test is widely recognized by universities and employers globally and has both academic and general training versions?

<p>IELTS (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English) is considered proof of what level of English proficiency, according to the course material?

<p>C1 level (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the UN LPE (Language Proficiency Examination)?

<p>To evaluate staff members' language skills in the six official languages of the United Nations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the information, what happens to candidates seeking admission at AUCA who score 70 and above on the English Placement Test?

<p>They are waived off the English Proficiency Certificate Course. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a B2 level of English, within the CEFR framework, enable a user to do?

<p>Function in the workplace in English. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which CEFR level indicates a proficient user with native or bilingual proficiency?

<p>C2 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Approximately how many different sounds does spoken English have, according to the course materials?

<p>44 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use symbols to represent the sounds of English rather than relying solely on the letters of the alphabet?

<p>The alphabet does not represent all the sounds in English. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the relationship between spelling and pronunciation in English?

<p>The spelling of a word is not always an accurate guide to how it is pronounced. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between voiced and voiceless sounds?

<p>Voiced sounds use vocal folds/cords, while voiceless sounds use only air. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of vowel sounds, what is the significance of the 'magic e'?

<p>It often modifies the pronunciation of a word and its meaning. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the course material, under what conditions is the letter 'a' typically silent?

<p>When it is followed by -lly (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common view about vowels?

<p>They are sounds without obstruction to the flow of air. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which pairs of words does the phonemic chart contain that make up words in spoken English?

<p>44 sounds that make up words in spoken English (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes the articulation of oral stops?

<p>The oral tract is closed at the place of articulation before releasing air. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the correct order of events during the articulation of oral stops?

<p>Velum closes, oral tract closes, air expelled and pressure builds, oral closure released. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of sound are both /f/ and /v/?

<p>fricative sounds (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following words is the 'h' sound aspirated?

<p>hunger (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do /θ/ and /ð/ alveolar fricatives primarily occur?

<p>the English language (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to air when nasal sounds are made?

<p>the velum opens and nasal cavity with air (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is something to remember about wug and jug about these phonemes?

<p>They are consonants (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Within the context of the course material, what does 'sentence stress' refer to?

<p>Emphasizing certain words to rhythm (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is catenation?

<p>the linking of certain words when spoken contiguously (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of pronunciation, what does 'intonation' generally refer to?

<p>The use of pitch to convey meaning. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What occurs with pitch with someone speaking to a listener of the speaker's pitch and recognize what it is doing?

<p>one of the most important tasks to recognizing intonation to listen to the speaker (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which example shows the most prominent, and is it recognized as being stressed?

<p>stress all have 1 characteristic that is prominence (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which rule is used when nouns, verbs, or adjectives is an attempt with stress placement?

<p>few rules with simplest form (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A syllabic consonant is also referred to what?

<p>a consonant that replaces a vowel in the syllable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the possible effects on word stress for affixes words?

<p>The affix itself receives primary stress (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A compound word functions as what?

<p>often in final stress (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Linking ‘r’ refers to what?

<p>doesn't pronounce final r (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of meaning does intonation enable for speakers to express emotions and attitudes?

<p>special meaning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Purpose of ENGL 8221

Competent articulation and correct production of English sounds.

English Proficiency Evaluation

Short quizzes, assignments, mid-semester and final exams.

Levels of English Proficiency

Beginner, elementary, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced, proficient.

What is TOEFL?

A widely-recognized English proficiency test.

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What is IELTS?

A widely accepted English test recognized by universities.

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What is CEFR?

CEFR organizes language proficiency in six levels, A1 to C2.

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Voiced vs. Voiceless sounds

Voiceless sounds use only air, voiced use vocal cords.

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Pronunciation Importance

Good pronunciation is key for spoken communication.

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Sound Symbols

Phonetic transcription showing pronunciation of words.

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Pronunciation vs Spelling

Letter sounds differs from its spelling.

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Sounds vs. Letters

The number of sounds is not always the same as the number of letters.

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Consonants

Organized by the place of articulation (lips, teeth, etc.).

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Vowels

Unobstructed airflow from the larynx.

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Connected sounds

Describes the joining or sounds when speaking.

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Intonation Definition

To convey meaning in a sentence.

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How Intonation works

Pitch rises and falls in spoken questions

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Accentual

stress helps to produce the effect of prominence on syllables that need to perceived as stressed

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Study Notes

  • English Proficiency Certificate Test (EPT) objectively assesses students' proficiency levels
  • The test aims to improve English pronunciation and provide a global vision of English phonetic transcription using IPA

Course Objectives

  • Enhance students' knowledge of English pronunciation
  • Help students acquire a global vision of English phonetic transcription through IPA
  • Improve understanding of the relationship between sound, meaning, and function through recorded materials
  • Provide basic practice of English sounds to make these relationships explicit

ENGL 8221 English Proficiency Certificate I Course Description

  • Practical course exploring speaking through articulation and sound production
  • Correct sound production is the primary focus
  • Sessions cover practical conversation and formal English usage
  • Students receive an English assessment corresponding to their level of study
  • Prerequisites is course 6124

Learning Materials Used

  • English Pronunciation in Use (soft and hard versions available on YouTube)
  • English with Gill (engvid soft on YouTube)
  • English with Lisa (AccurateEnglish soft on YouTube)
  • English with Lucy (soft on YouTube)
  • English with Emma (Engvid soft on YouTube)

Methodology

  • Modern language teaching emphasizes a participatory approach
  • Teachers present grammatical sentences using questions to explain phonetic and phonological rules
  • Exercises involve identifying prosodic features and their semantic functions
  • Students manipulate sentences, engage in phonetic transcriptions, and conduct mini-projects
  • Speaking and listening exercises focus on interpreting meanings and intentions within contexts

Evaluation components

  • Short quizzes (10%)
  • Home or class assignments (20%)
  • Mid-semester exam (30%)
  • Final examination (40%)

English Language Proficiency Tests

  • When taking a test, a score indicates an English level, such as beginner, elementary, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced, or proficient
  • Leveling systems and test varieties exist worldwide
  • TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, and CPE are the four widely-accepted proficiency tests
  • Duo Lingo and UN LPE are considered in specific situations

Standardized English Proficiency Tests

  • TOEFL: Most well-known English proficiency test
  • IELTS: Recognized by universities and employers, has an academic version and a general training version
  • CAE: Suited for those confident in English communication, implies advanced level
  • CPE: Most advanced of these tests, used in UK university admissions, assesses high-level English knowledge
  • PTE: Trusted by universities and governments, an unbiased proof of English skill
  • UN LPE: Tests staff member's language knowledge in the six official United Nations languages

AUCA's English Policy

  • Applicants without standardized test certificates may take an English Language Proficiency Certificate issued by the University after passing the EPC exam
  • The SAT is a standardized entrance exam for college admissions
  • Scores range from 400 to 1600, with 1200 being good for admission

English Placement

  • Candidates seeking AUCA admission take the English Placement Test
  • A score of 70+ or proof of TOEFL (90+) or IELTS (6+) waives the English Proficiency Certificate Course
  • Scores between 10 and 70 require General and Academic English Writing, plus English Proficiency Certificate I and II
  • Scores below 10 result in non-admission, no student ID, and mandatory English Proficiency Certificate Elementary/Beginner for 4 months before academic program enrollment
  • CEFR organizes language proficiency into six levels, A1 to C2, regrouped into Basic, Independent, and Proficient User levels

CEFR Levels

  • A0/A1: Beginner/Elementary, No/Very Limited Proficiency
  • A2: Pre-Intermediate, Limited Working Proficiency
  • B1: Intermediate, Professional Working Proficiency
  • B2: Upper Intermediate, Basic Proficiency
  • C1: Advanced, Full Proficiency
  • C2: Proficient, Native/Bilingual Proficiency
  • *CEFR stands for Common European Framework of Reference for Languages-Learning, Teaching, and Assessment

Course Outline Topics

  • English Pronunciation in Use: Elementary Units 1-50 (Letters, Sounds, Syllables)
  • English Pronunciation in Use: Elementary E1-8 (English Phonemic Chart)
  • English Pronunciation in Use: Intermediate CD A (Practical Exercises)
  • English Pronunciation in Use: Intermediate CD B (Practical Exercises)

Other topics

  • Good pronunciation enhances spoken communication; native-like accent not necessary
  • Course introduces features of standard southern British English pronunciation
  • Written English uses 26 letters, spoken English has around 44 sounds
  • System of symbols represents pronunciation, transcriptions are between slashes //
  • Vowel sounds may differ from vowel letters; "European" starts with a consonant sound /j/
  • Spelling is not always a reliable guide to pronunciation

Voiced and Voiceless Sounds

  • Some consonant sounds are voiced, others voiceless
  • Voiceless sounds use only air, voiced use vocal folds
  • Vocal vibration indicates a voiced sound
  • Voicing distinguishes words like 'bet' and 'pet'
  • bet/bet/ - the /b/ sound is voiced
  • pet /pet/ - the /p/ sound is voiceless

Vowel Sounds

  • Vowel sounds differ from vowel letters
  • Sounds can vary by word

Consonant Sounds

  • Sounds produced with obstruction of airflow in the mouth
  • Can be voiced or voiceless

Glides

  • Sounds that act like both consonants and vowels (e.g. /j/ and /w/)

Consonant Clusters

  • Combinations of two or more consonant sounds (e.g. pr, pl, br)

Weak and Strong Forms

  • English words have strong and weak forms
  • Weak forms typically used for function words (auxiliary verbs, prepositions, conjunctions)
  • Strong forms are used for emphasis, at the end of a sentence, or when contrasted with another word
  • Distinguish contracted forms (it's, we've, don't) from weak forms

IPA Transcription

  • Practice transcribing words and sentences from IPA

Stress

  • Stress affects syllable strength; production depends on muscular energy
  • Higher subglottal pressure during stressed syllables
  • Multi-syllable words have at least one stressed part
  • To stress a syllable is done by length, loudness, or pitch, indicated by big circles that highlight stressed parts

Intonation

  • Use of pitch to convey meaning in a sentence
  • Influenced by sentence, and can change to influence the reader
  • Pauses with commas are very important in the influence of meaning

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