At the PRONSIG conference, I had the chance to explore what the AI revolution could mean for pronunciation instruction. From automated feedback to speech recognition, we discussed how AI is reshaping learning environments. While AI tools offer exciting potential, they are far from replacing the sound pedogical approach of an expert English pronunciation and communication coach. The talks were all cutting-edge and research led. An eye-opener for me!
Navigating the rhythms and intonations of a new language is often a complex journey. From our earliest moments, even before birth, we are surrounded by the distinct rhythmic patterns of our native language, tuning our ears to its unique prosody. This early immersion means that when we start learning a second language, our first language's prosodic traits tend to persist, seeping into our new linguistic endeavours.
Learning the melody of a new language can be challenging. From birth, and even before, we are immersed in the musical patterns of our mother tongue, primed to hear its prosody. When the time comes to begin learning a second language, these prosodic features can stubbornly stick around, transferring into the new language, and leaving traces in our speech which can impact our intelligibility and confuse listeners.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over how to pronounce the word Drought. Drought is a word used to describe a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, often leading to a shortage of water.
n this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over the pronunciation of windy. Depending on the context, there are two ways to pronounce windy. One way is in reference to the wind. Another is a way to describe a long curvy course.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over how to pronounce honest and honour. These words can be tricky as they start with a silent letter “H”. Honest is a word to describe a person who consistently tells the truth. And honour is a word to describe someone you hold in great respect.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over how to pronounce climb. Climb is a word to describe the action of moving up a slope, often using your hands and feet. Words like climb, bomb, and lamb have a silent letter “b” at the end.
In this episode of Word of the Week, we will take a look at how to pronounce analysis and its verb form, analyse. Analysis is a detailed study of a subject and analyse is the action of studying a subject.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over how to pronounce wide and width. To say something is wide is to say the subject has a large measure. The width is the measurement of how wide something is.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over how to pronounce bought. Bought is the past tense of the word buy, which means to purchase.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will go over how to pronounce hierarchical. Hierarchical means that a group of people or things has a system of ranking. This word is a nightmare for many of my clients, but in the video below you will learn to master this challenging word.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will share with you how to pronounce hierarchy. A hierarchy is a system of rank, often used in business and other formal groups.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will show you how to pronounce idea. An idea is a thought or a concept that you think of. Idea is often confused with ID.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will show you how to pronounce reliable and its noun form, reliability. If something is reliable, then it is describing a subject as trustworthy, consistently good and of high quality. Reliability is the quality of being trustworthy, consistently good and of high quality.
In this episode of Word of the Week, I will share with you how to pronounce launch. A launch is a moment when the subject is set in motion, like launching a rocket ship or launching your next product.
From October 4th - 13th, 2020, a group of volunteer teachers came together to provide support on Zoom to upskill 40+ teachers so their children's education could continue from their homes. The training covered how to use Zoom, as well as English speaking, writing, storytelling, reading, vocabulary, and so on.
I was delighted to run a session on Pronunciation, a new but key competency for many. In my training session, I covered the importance of intelligibility (being understood) in our global world.
In this first episode, I will share with you how to pronounce strategic and it’s noun form, strategy. A strategy is a plan with the intent to achieve a specific goal. Being strategic means to apply your plan to achieve your goals.
Here is the final of 3 videos on how to pronounce frequently mispronounced words used to describe our current global crisis: Analyses, Unanswered and Debt.