American English Vowel System (Parts 1-4)

About

Facilitator: Ginessa Payne, Center for Teaching Excellence

Description:The vowel sounds of American English are challenging to learners of English because there are so many, and because English spelling does not convey the pronunciation predictably. This four-session series of interactive workshops aims to increase attendees’ phonological awareness, and as a result, their listening and intelligibility.

Through a variety of activities and handouts, attendees will become familiar with each vowel and with resources to practice listening discrimination and pronunciation on their own. Each attendee has the opportunity to get personalized feedback on their own pronunciation.

Learning Outcomes: Participants will be able to…

1. Distinguish vowel sounds from vowel letters

2. When speaking, control lip rounding and spreading; control height of tongue and openness of jaw

3. When listening, distinguish similar vowel sounds from one another

4. Use bodily-kinesthetic techniques to gain conscious control of the vocal tract 5. Reduce a vowel in an unstressed syllable to schwa

6. Identify one digital resource to use for ongoing pronunciation development