Using Scripts in Accent Training to Enhance Conversational Fluency

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Using Scripts in Accent Training to Enhance
Conversational Fluency

• Lynda Katz Wilner, M.S.
• Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker, M.S.
• ESL RULES, LLC

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Overview

• Understand rationale
• Implement scripts
• Listen to speech samples
• Question Answer

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Rationale for Scripts

• Use rules for suprasegmentals (intonation)
• Transfer new skills into practical context
• Rehearse frequently spoken biographical
  information
• Target personal pronunciation challenges
• Reinforce North American speech patterns daily
• Increase self-confidence

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Adjective NounStress the noun

• good morning good evening
• last year difficult test
• blue sky best friend
• nice job great class

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Proper NounsStress second part of word

• McDaniel College University of Maryland
• George Washington Baltimore, Maryland
• Baltimore Sun Chemical Engineering
• Inner Harbor Eastern Shore

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Acronyms/InitializationsStress last letter

• ESL ELL
• MBA IBM
• PC Ph.D.
• USA TESOL

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Compound NounsStress first part of word

• classroom car keys
• training program telephone number
• cellphone e-mail address

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Consonant ClustersPronounce complete cluster

• Medial
• success
• exact
• expect
• recognize

• Final
• first
• last
• most
• seventeenth

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T VariationsContext determines pronunciation

• Precise /t/ - Tom atomic
• Flap /t/ - positive attitude
• Unreleased /t/ - at not
• Glottal /t/ - written shorten
• Cluster /t/ - first accept

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LinkingWords link together for fluency

• A lot?of went?to
• Look?up watch?out
• Good?news eat?dinner
• Go?out bus?sign

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Y-insertionCertain words insert y sound

• communication executive
• manual figure
• regular value

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Conversational Scripts

• Review score form
• Listen to speech sample
• Score it
• Summarize challenging rules

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Benefits of Script Reading

• Reinforces targeted rules
• Increases self-confidence
• Improves public speaking skills
• Provides before and after samples

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• Lynda Katz Wilner
• www.successfully-speaking.com
• lkwilner_at_successfully-speaking.com
• Marjorie Feinstein-Whittaker
• www.prospeech.com
• wg_at_prospeech.com
• www.eslrules.com
• 410.356.5666