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| Do your students look like this wihen they pronounce TH? |
I am lucky enough to have Danielle contribute to this blog with a guest post she lovingly authored. You're sure to see this mentioned again at the
34th ELT Blog Carnival!
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When I started to teach more adults, I realised that
most learners wanted (or more precisely needed) to develop their pronunciation
and find fun ways to practice (not like parrot learning).
So, inspired by my Creative language sessions with the
kids, I developed a pronunciation activity that all my adult learners adore and
said how helpful it has been/is for them.
The most common pronunciation demand or need is the
digraph ‘th’ which most foreign
learners have difficulty with.
So, I’ve listed down a list of common words with the 2
sound variations of ‘th.’
Step 1: To listen how it is pronounced, either with your
teacher or on an audio online dictionary or pronunciation website.
Step 2: Pronounce loud & slowly the digraph ‘th’ words,
then gradually (after getting used with each word) speed up the pace to train
your brain and tongue do the connection of the sounds/graphic(letters).
Step 3: Do the same with the digraph ‘th’ words.
Step 4: Now that you are used with both digraphs, play with
both columns alternatively: this, thumb, then, thin, with, three…etc.
Go slowly first,
then gradually speed up the pace.
NB:
Ø
Both digraphs are pronounced with the tongue slightly
pressed in between the teeth.
Ø
It’s very important to take the time to pronounce at
the beginning. Just because your mind don’t recognize those sounds yet (as it
may not exist in your mother tongue). Giving time to your mind sending the
message to your mouth, how to position your mouth/tongue and teeth to produce
the sound/s.
Ø
Another fun tip which proved to be working well is to
do it in front of a mirror, for building up confidence in the language and also
making the learning fun. As if you are acting out for a performance.
About the Author
Danielle is from Mauritius Island
(the forever Green Island found in the Indian Ocean) and a specialist Early Childhood Educator and
certified TESOL Teacher, from INTESOL Worldwide Ltd, UK. For the last 19 years she has been exposed to teaching children,
adolescents and adults from different countries: Mauritius, Maldives, India, France, Latvia, Russia, Italy and South Africa. She is the creator and owner of a Creative English
Language School for kids which uses Jolly Phonics to introduce, practice and use English. If you'd like to see more activities like this from Danielle do stop by her website: www.languagemood.com or e-mail her at Danielle@languagemood.com
