Speech Rhythm Exercises for ESL
Speech rhythm exercises will help students improve their pronunciation and increase their confidence every time they speak English.
When ESL students use speech rhythm or speech patterns as they read aloud, they often feel a greater sense of control over their pronunciation of words and phrases.
ESL students can practice their pronunciation using speech rhythm techniques using clearly written stories, magazine articles, or even sentences that teachers develop themselves. Read my previous article on this topic for background.
Speech rhythm is simply a way of breaking down sentences - or any grammatical string of words - into component parts so that ESL students become aware of the ways that they can simplify the structures of the sentences.
With prepositional phrases, it is extremely easy: in the morning, after class, through the window, over the fence, etc. These tight knit word-groups carry both meaning and a familiar pattern of speech rhythm.
Here's an example using a complete sentence:
After breakfast I went to class and took out my homework for the teacher.
Although this sentence will pose little trouble to even high-beginner ESL students in terms of sight reading, reading the sentence aloud is another matter altogether.
By showing ESL students how to break down the sentence into smaller parts, however, they will feel greater control over how they "organize" their reading, increasing the likelihood that they will pronounce individual words more clearly. I recommend breaking it down this way: After breakfast -- I went to class -- and took out my homework -- for the teacher.
The key to the strategy is for ESL teachers to make sure that the student who is reading aloud pauses at the end of each word grouping. The pause should be distinct, dramatic even, thereby leaving the student plenty of opportunity to regroup for the next set of words.
Some ESL students will protest that fluent speakers of English do not pause in such an artificial manner, which may be true in relation to conversations among friends. But often in business meetings and other professional settings, certainly in drama and some performing arts, natural speech patterns take on a slower, more deliberate characteristic that allows for thoughtful consideration and explanation.
ESL teachers may want to show television interviews of politicians, athletes, and celebrities to present examples of this slower speech rhythm, and then have their students practice the following:
ESL teachers -- may want to show -- television interviews -- of politicians -- athletes -- and celebrities -- to present examples -- of this slower speech rhythm.
Be sure to visit the link to my blog where I will talk more about the benefits of using speech rhythm exercises in the classroom.
