Teaching Tips

Back to the Future of Pronunciation Teaching: Putting the Zoomback Into the ‘Zoom Principle’

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Abstract

While pronunciation is a key component in helping English language learners(ELLs)achieve fluency and accuracy in asecond language,ESL teachers often lack confidence and competence in knowing how best to teach pronunciation,which causes it too often be neglected in ESL classrooms. This is unfortunate because research has shown that a focus on global pronunciation features can improveELLs’ intelligibility andcomprehensibility. The ‘zoom principle’was first written about over 25 years ago, but it has not been widely understood or utilized by teachers within today’s methodology of communicative pronunciation teaching.While many textbooks emphasize the importance of rhythm, stress, and intonation and provide helpful exercises to practice these prosodic features, assisting teachers who may lack confidence or knowledge of pedagogical application is critical in having pronunciation be consistently integrated into the speaking and listening classroom. This teaching tip will take teachers on a ride back to the future of pronunciation teaching with tips on using the ‘zoom principle’to provide a pedagogical framework for diagnosing learner difficulties and then systematically addressing these issues in contextualized communicative practice that goes beyond the word and sentence level.

How to Cite:

Tanner, M., (2019) “Back to the Future of Pronunciation Teaching: Putting the Zoomback Into the ‘Zoom Principle’”, Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings 11(1).