Teaching Tips

Teaching Pronunciation Through Homework Assignments: The Method of iCPRS

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Abstract

While many previous classroom-based research studies aim at teaching pronunciation in a classroom environment, there is not always time in a lesson plan to include in-class pronunciation instruction. This teaching tip therefore focuses on teaching pronunciation through homework-based assignments called innovative Cued Pronunciation Readings (iCPRs; see also Tanner & Landon, 2009). This computer-delivered method of pronunciation instruction employs easily accessible technology, Microsoft PowerPoint, and has been shown to be effective in improving learners’ L2 pronunciation skills in a pilot study with 22 first semester learners of German (Martin, 2015). Each iCPR unit is designed to require about 10 minutes of work. There are two kinds of iCPR units: perception and production training units. Both types of units contain native-speaker recordings of individual words. Perception training units then consist of two tasks: an accentedness detection task and a sound discrimination task. Production training units start with explicit instruction on the targeted sound and progress to active practice, for which the learners have to repeat individual words after a native speaker recording. At the end of a production unit, the learners have to record all words they practiced with recording software like Audacity and upload their productions to a course management system dropbox.While many previous classroom-based research studies aim at teaching pronunciation in a classroom environment, there is not always time in a lesson plan to include in-class pronunciation instruction. This teaching tip therefore focuses on teaching pronunciation through homework-based assignments called innovative Cued Pronunciation Readings (iCPRs; see also Tanner & Landon, 2009). This computer-delivered method of pronunciation instruction employs easily accessible technology, Microsoft PowerPoint, and has been shown to be effective in improving learners' L2 pronunciation skills in a pilot study with 22 first semester learners of German (Martin, 2015). Each iCPR unit is designed to require about 10 minutes of work. There are two kinds of iCPR units: perception and production training units. Both types of units contain native-speaker recordings of individual words. Perception training units then consist of two tasks: an accentedness detection task and a sound discrimination task. Production training units start with explicit instruction on the targeted sound and progress to active practice, for which the learners have to repeat individual words after a native speaker recording. At the end of a production unit, the learners have to record all words they practiced with recording software like Audacity and upload their productions to a course management system dropbox.

How to Cite:

Martin, I. A., (2016) “Teaching Pronunciation Through Homework Assignments: The Method of iCPRS”, Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings 8(1).