P.E.A.RPronunciation

ExpressivenessArticulation and

Rhythm and Fluency

Compiled by Bernard Kang

or

Pronunciation Tests on the accuracy of saying a word using

particular sounds. Students are usually tested on the following:1)Ability to pronounce words with multiple

syllables2)Ability to pronounce uncommon words3)Ability to pronounce words with ‘th’ in them4)Ability to pronounce commonly mispronounced

words

Examples from TYS2009 Day 1

- Memorabilia - Ornamental- Opportunity- Authentic- Bustling- Market- Vastness- Thought

Pronunciation • In most situations, a student should be able to

use phonetics to decipher the pronunciation, however, there will be cases where it is not so straightforward.

Example:Eg. Names – Samuel, Peter, Jane What about Chloe? Michaela? Charlotte?Examples from TYS: Barbara (2008 Day2)Vikram (2008 Day 6)• You will NOT be penalised for pronouncing names of

people incorrectly so why is this important?

PronunciationThe same principle applies to words. Often, we

are misled into inaccurate pronunciation of certain words because of their spelling. Students must be adequately exposed and trained to ensure that they are able to identify these words.

Sometimes simple words are so commonly mispronounced by Singaporeans that we do not realise that they are incorrect.

Example: Sword, Often(Fun Fact: Do you know that Singapore is one of

the few countries where we pronounce ‘flour’ as ‘flar’? )

Let’s recapitulate (ree-kuh-pich-uh-leyt) : How do u pronounce these words?CalendarColleague PotentialSwordExcuse ExtraSecondPressureTicket Wednesday

More Commonly Mispronounced Words(ADD THEM TO YOUR LIST!)

WordWord SG Pronunciation?SG Pronunciation?

Liase Liase LieLie-us-us

SoftenSoften SofSof-ten-ten

albeitalbeit ??

More Commonly Mispronounced Words(ADD THEM TO YOUR LIST!)

WordWord Correct PronunciationCorrect Pronunciation

Liase Liase Lee-ay-sLee-ay-s

SoftenSoften Sof-Sof-enen

albeitalbeit Awl-Awl-beebee-it-it

More Commonly Mispronounced WordsWordWord SG Pronunciation?SG Pronunciation?

gesturegesture gasgas-ture -ture

repetitiverepetitive rep-rep-perper-te-tive -te-tive

ItineraryItinerary ItineryItinery

SubtleSubtle SubSub-tle-tle

GenuineGenuine jen-yoo-jen-yoo-winewine

More Commonly Mispronounced WordsWordWord Correct PronunciationCorrect Pronunciation

gesturegesture JesJes-cher -cher

repetitiverepetitive rere--petpet-i-tive -i-tive

ItineraryItinerary ahy-tin-uh-ahy-tin-uh-rerrer-ee-ee

SubtleSubtle suhtsuht-l-l

GenuineGenuine jen-yoo-jen-yoo-inin

More Commonly Mispronounced WordsWordWord SG PronunciationSG Pronunciation

DebtDebt dedebbtt

DebrisDebris De-De-brisbris

ApparatusApparatus Er-pear-rey-tusEr-pear-rey-tus

AthleteAthlete Air-the-lete Air-the-lete

AbaloneAbalone Air-ber-lonAir-ber-lon

More Commonly Mispronounced WordsWordWord Correct PronunciationCorrect Pronunciation

DebtDebt detdet

DebrisDebris duhduh-bree, -bree, deydey-bree-bree

ApparatusApparatus apap-uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs -uh-rat-uhs, -rey-tuhs

AthleteAthlete athath-leet -leet

AbaloneAbalone ab-uh-ab-uh-loh-neeloh-nee

CHALLENGEHow do you pronounce…

Giraffe? (TYS 2009 Day 1)

What if it was a …Hippopotamus instead?

Expressiveness:

Dialogue – FeelingsPitch and Tone for Effect

ExpressivenessExpressiveness is an important component in

Oral Communication because it shows feelings and character. It also sets the tone of the atmosphere and setting.

Dialogue – More often than not, there will be dialogue in your reading passage. As a result, you must be adequately prepared to express different kinds of feelings in the speaker.

Pitch and tone for effect – Pitch and tone is how you vary your voice to suit the passage as you read it aloud.

Group Work!In your groups, practice the different ways of

saying the rhyme as indicated in the worksheet.

RationaleDramatisation of verses is a good way to

practice expressiveness. You would realise that the same verse can be read in different kinds of moods and feelings, thus sounding different under the different settings.

Exercise 2 – Try this!Birthday Party

HE’S HERE! HE’S HERE!Somebody switch off the lights!Oh no, I’ve spilled the drinks!

Move the presents out of the way. Everybody hide!

You’re squashing me.I’ve lost my party hat.Who’s sitting on my toe?

Ouch! Ouch!Sh… Sh…

He’s opening the door…

SURPRISE!

ConclusionPronunciation – Students must be careful

when reading the passage and note the words that they must pay special attention to during their preparation.

Expressiveness – Students must learn to project feelings and how to vary their pitch and tone when reading the passage

REMEMBER: THE KEY WORD IS PRACTICE!

Next Lesson:Please bring your Oral Communications TYS