ELT MOOC by Jason R. Levine on WiziQ. This is a pronunciation lesson by Fluency MC aka Jason.R.Levine about Shrinking and linking. This is a professional development massive Open Online Course in listening and pronunciation techniques. MOOC team organisers: Dr. Nellie Deutsch Sylvia Guinan

1. Shrinking and Linking
(Shrinkin_n_linkin)
Practical Techniques for Teaching
Stress and Reduced Speech
------Jason R. Levine

2. True or False?
We want our students to feel
stress.

3. True!
We want our students to feel

4. There’s a fine line between
raising awareness of
pronunciation and raising

5. It’s usually best to follow the 3Rs

6. True or False?
The rhythm of English is
QuickTime™ a nd a
decompressor
are need ed to see this picture.

7. Students feel stressed.
2
1
3
Subject + verb + object/complement
The students feel stressed.
(Th’students feel stressed.)
The students are feeling stressed.
(Th’students_r feeling stressed.)
The students have been feeling stressed.
(Th’students_ve bin feelin stressed.)

8. True or False?
Sentence stress changes
according
to how formal a situation is.

9. How many people are there in your family?
How many people_r there_in yr family?
What are you going to do on Friday?
What_re ya gonna do_on Friday?

10. Formal or informal? Rude or polite?
The key determiner: INTONATION
In formal situations, we usually speak with a higher tone
and more intonation.
In less formal situations, we usually speak with a lower tone
and less intonation.

11. TECHNIQUE #1: Highlight word and sentence stress
- I think (that)
- I feel (that)
- I believe (that)
- I don’t think (that)
- I don’t feel (that)
- I don’t believe (that)
I think this is best.
I believe that it’s true.
I feel that you can do it.
You know what to do.
I think this_is the best.
I believe that_it’s_true.
I feel thatchu kin do it.
I think ya know what t’do.

12. TECHNIQUE #2: Have students mark stress after a listening task.
Students who make great effort to memorize materialcramming it into their heads to regurgitate it the next day
on an exam-typically remember this material
for only a short period of time.

13. TECHNIQUE #3: Have students mark stress before a listening tas


I’ll bet we can find a lower price.
I think you’re right.


This plan won’t work.
I’m not so sure that is true.


How do feel about it?
I don’t care either way.

14. TECHNIQUE #4: Focus on stress and reduced speech in dictation
EXAMPLE PROCEDURE:
1. Dictate a total of five sentences (authentic English).
2. Repeat each sentence at least three times, giving students
time to write. Do not change the speed or stress patterns.
3. Ask students to write down the stressed words first.
4. Pair students up to compare their work and reconstruct
the sentences as best they can.
5. Elicit sentences from students or have them write them
on the board.
6. Ask students to highlight the word and sentence stress.

15. SAMPLE DICTATION:
1. What’s the weather supposed to be like today?
2. Where do you feel like going for lunch?
3. Tell her we’ll meet her around two.
4. Actually, I think I’ll stay at home tonight and watch TV.
5. Do you want to meet at the library tomorrow?
Extension activity:
Students write responses and create dialogs or stories.

16. TECHNIQUE #5: Meaningful Shadowing and Repetition
TRY…
scenes from movies and TV shows, music videos, commercials,
role plays created by students, scenes from plays and musicals,
famous speeches, karaoke, poetry, limericks, jokes, tongue twiste
songs…

17. Chant Practice
Do you think this is best?
Do you believe that it’s true?
Do you feel that you can do it?
Do you know what to do?
I believe this is the answer.
I feel that it’s right.
I hope you understand me.
I think that you might.

18. Song Practice
It’s The Weekly English Workout with Fluency MC.
Stick with me. I guarantee to keep you worry-free.
Indeed, you’ll see! The key to speaking is to lower your
stress.
Having fun when you learn is when you learn the best!
Stop studying grammar rules and cramming for tests.
Give your brain a rest or you might get depressed.
All of us are blessed, no matter what our age
to learn a second language when we feel engaged.
Join The English Workout. Follow the 3Rs.
Relax, Repeat, Remember. It’ll take you far!

19. Don’t memorize to learn.