How many screens do you look at a day? The desktop screen? TheiPAD or Kindle screen? The smart phone screen? Screens on which to watch & listen to videos. To write texts, Facebook posts, and WeChat or WhatsApp messages. Do you use any pronunciation apps? If so, how do you use them? Do you copy and repeat what you hear? Do you click record and self monitor, or does the app monitor for you?
Kinesthetic approach to teaching English pronunciation
I have a very action-oriented approach to teaching English pronunciation. This is also known as a kinesthetic approach. One where the focus is on having the speakers-in-training engage in physical activities to grasp the speech topic(s) on deck.
Such an approach helps your English speaking brain to develop a feeling for a specific sound or rhythm speech feature.
It can also help you work through any sense of resistance that you might be experiencing. A resistance to more time spent learning English. A hesitation toward jumping in and communicating in English face-to-face, in real-time spontaneous speech. Perhaps you are shy by nature, Maybe you’re a bit of a perfectionist with your grammar.
Shake it and take action!
Action tips to break the English language barrier
- Move away from the screen and put away all contraptions. Focus on simply exaggerating a specific sound or rhythm feature of spoken English.
- Record yourself speaking everyday and self monitor something specific (e.g., word endings).
- Have a language buddy? Make a peer pact to peer monitor on a regular basis. (This helps with motivation and accountability.)
- If you’re surrounded by other people who are speaking English on a regular basis, push yourself to approach a minimum of three people per day to initiate a conversation. Ask them questions. Engage in small talk. See where the conversation might go. If it doesn’t go anywhere—that is, if the person doesn’t feel like talking—no harm done. Move on to someone else.
Join a free 30-minute live webinar
Ok, so this IS a screen-bound event. However, while going over three big clear speech tips, I will share a few active practice techniques that you can incorporate into your spoken-English practice routine. Away from the screen.
Sign up to reserve your seat now for one of the following two webinars. The first 100 people in each will be able to attend live. All registrants will receive a recording of this webinar the following day.
Webinar 1: Tuesday, November 22, 11:00-11:30 am CST (17:00-17:30 GMT)
Webinar 2: Tuesday, November 22, 6:00-6:30 pm CST (Wednesday, November 23, 0:00-0:30 GMT)
