Presentation

Transforming Any Text Into an Individualized Segmental Exercise via Relateworldwide’s Pronunciation Highlighter

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Abstract

In many L2 English pronunciation classes, it is difficult for teachers to provide segmental instruction and practice adequate for enabling students to acquire consistently accurate pronunciation of all high-functional-load segmentals they find challenging (Munro & Derwing, 2006). In part, this is because students in ESL classes rarely all need instruction and practice for the same English segmentals (Swan & Smith, 2001). While freely available asynchronous segmental training online may seem a natural solution to this problem and while outstanding segmental instruction has been available online for some time, few substantive practice resources have been available until recently to help students make their pronunciation fluent and automatic. This paper introduces the author’s new online Pronunciation Highlighter, a tool capable of transforming any text students find interesting (textbook dialogues, technical term lists, PowerPoint presentation outlines, etc.) into individualized segmental practice exercises. The paper also suggests ways students can capitalize on Pronunciation Highlighter output to build new and accurate segmental pronunciation habits.

How to Cite:

Richards, M., (2015) “Transforming Any Text Into an Individualized Segmental Exercise via Relateworldwide’s Pronunciation Highlighter”, Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings 7(1).