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Writer's pictureBarnaby Griffiths

The power of phonemic script



When used effectively, phonemic script can help your learners quickly improve their pronunciation. And this is not only true of beginners or lower level learners.


Here's a real-life example of how using phonemic script in your English classes or LCC sessions with more advanced learners can have an immediate effect on their pronunciation (note that we use the term "instructor" for English teacher or English language and communication coach):

***

Learner: “I had to do the shopping online because of the quarantine /kwo-rən-tain/” (pronouncing the ending as in "mine")


Instructor writes “quarantine /kwo-rən-ti:n/” as learner continues speaking


Learner: “and there was lots of heavy stuff…”


Instructor (still writing): “and you said there was a problem...”


Learner: “yeah... the man who delivered the shopping was very rude, because they're supposed to call you, but maybe because I was in… (seeing what is written on the screen) quarantine /kwo-rən-ti:n/…”


Instructor: “quarantine /kwo-rən-ti:n/, yep good”


Learner: “maybe that’s why he was rude…”


***


Notice that the instructor's intervention barely broke the rhythm of the learner's utterance as they self-corrected after seeing the phonemic script.


The BGLC online self-paced Language and Communication Coaching (LCC) courses are packed with tips such as this from over 20 years of TESOL Diploma teaching practice experience to help you become a more effective language teacher or language and communication coach. Check them out here: https://barnaby-griffiths.teachable.com/?preview=logged_out.

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