Dear Hari and All:
I'm sure that members of TESOL's Speech, Pronunciation, and Listening Interest Section (SPLIS) would be able to provide a detailed response to your question on connected speech. But no, I don't think we need to use metalanguage such as "assimilation," "elision," and "intrusion," with most learners. For example, instead of using the term "assimilation," I say that the sounds "influence each other." Learners seem to understand the concept just fine, especially when multiple examples are provided.
Also, I'd like to remind members about the wonderful book on activities for teaching connected speech which is published by TESOL Press,
New Ways in Teaching Connected Speech, edited by James Dean Brown, and containing activities submitted by teachers like you!
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Nikki Ashcraft
Past Chair, Membership Professional Council
University of Missouri
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-08-2022 11:36 AM
From: Harisimran Sandhu
Subject: Connected Speech
Among the greater challenges of teaching English pronunciation to Non-native learners is that of 'connected speech'. It's important to get the right mix of written and spoken English - preferably authentic - to bring home this diparity between the two forms.
How is this best done, and at what stage? What sources do you prefer to use? Is there any benefit of using metalanguage to explain such concepts as 'assimilation', 'elision', 'intrusion', etc?
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Harisimran Sandhu
Freelance ELT Professional
India
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