Testimonials of Students
LIN Y.
This pronunciation training course provided a thorough and systematic explanation of the English pronunciation theory, especially in terms of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The comprehensive coverage of IPA and practical exercises allowed me to reinforce my understanding of correct English pronunciation. The instructor expertly highlighted typical errors made by Chinese speakers, shedding light on misconceptions that arise from living in a Mandarin-speaking environment. Additionally, the well-structured exercises in class were instrumental in enhancing my pronunciation skills.
Through the course, I became more conscious of accurately articulating vowels and gained insight into errors that were previously overlooked. This improvement not only enhanced my oral communication skills but also bolstered my confidence when interacting with native English speakers.
CEN B.
The pronunciation training course has been crucial in improving various aspects of my language skills. While my segmental pronunciation has progressed significantly, I recognize the need for further enhancements in intonation, especially as I tend to speak casually in everyday conversations.
One valuable aspect of the course was the comparative recording analysis. Despite recurring issues, analyzing recordings of others has deepened my understanding of mistakes and provided insight into how to accurately describe these issues. The comparison between native speakers and my own pronunciation has been enlightening, helping me identify subtle differences and comprehend the reasons behind them. The incorporation of IPA knowledge and phonetics has been a game-changer for me. Pronouncing new words by referring to IPA symbols has proven highly effective. The course highlighted the inadequacy of relying solely on spelling and listening, emphasizing the importance of IPA symbols as a valuable complement. Furthermore, the exploration of the sound systems in English, Chinese, and Spanish has been enlightening. Understanding the reasons behind certain pronunciation challenges in my speech has provided clarity and facilitated targeted improvement efforts.
OU Q.
I have experienced significant improvement through this course, particularly in recognizing prevalent pronunciation errors among Chinese students, which, in turn, heightened my awareness of my own pronunciation challenges. The course's emphasis on essential concepts such as pauses, stress, and linking has proven invaluable. Understanding these elements is crucial for effective communication. Additionally, the utilization of speech corpus has provided practical insights, aiding students in identifying and addressing pronunciation issues.
HUANG X.
This course has significantly expanded my understanding of pronunciation concepts through comprehensive theoretical coverage. Moreover, the use of speech corpus for learning made this learning journey more enjoyable and highly beneficial. Listening to authentic recordings of Chinese students in the corpus, alongside those of native speakers, provided a concrete and practical demonstration of pronunciation nuances. This hands-on experience proved more effective than theoretical explanations alone, aiding us in identifying and correcting our own pronunciation issues. Overall, the incorporation of pronunciation corpora enhanced the learning process, making it both engaging and highly informative.
ZHANG F.
I have obtained significant benefits from the theoretical insights provided by this course on English pronunciation. Prior to the training, I had no knowledge of the rules governing English intonation, which resulted in awkward tonal variations when speaking in interrogative or declarative sentences. Additionally, the distinction between long and short vowels proved to be more intricate than mere pronunciation length. However, this course has helped me become aware of these issues and successfully corrected the errors.
One notable class activity was the peer review session, where we analyzed each other’s English recordings to identify pronunciation issues. This activity is very important because we actively listen to, identify and highlight the pronunciation mistakes of our peers, which naturally encourages us to self-reflect on similar mistakes that may occur in our own speech. I am grateful for the guidance of the instructor and the thoughtful design of the course, both of which have contributed significantly to my progress in pronunciation.
JIANG Z.
I found this English pronunciation course very helpful. By comparing the two recordings I made at the beginning and the end of the course, I got a clearer picture of my progress and where I needed to improve. The use of English songs and real-life examples in class made learning more engaging and relevant. I also learned the importance of International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols as a foundation for accurate pronunciation. In addition, I really enjoyed the process of using corpus data to highlight common mistakes and the opportunity to imitate native speakers. I found the experience valuable and look forward to applying what I have learned to my English pronunciation.
Reflection of Teachers
Prof. CHEN Bingru
Throughout the course, I found that the corpus-based approach was highly effective in helping students improve their English pronunciation. The combination of theoretical explanations and practical exercises allowed students to develop a strong understanding of both segmental and suprasegmental features. By using a corpus of mainland Chinese students' pronunciation samples, we were able to highlight specific areas of improvement for the students. This approach enhanced their awareness of their own pronunciation issues and offered them opportunities to practice and refine their skills.
Prof. WANG Qian
The course design allowed students to engage in targeted practice based on their individual needs. The use of the corpus data provided students with real-life examples of English pronunciation spoken by individuals similar to themselves. This contextualized learning approach helped them relate to the materials and understand the relevance of pronunciation in their own lives. By analyzing the corpus data together, students were able to identify common pronunciation challenges faced by Chinese speakers. This process encouraged self-reflection and helped them recognize their own areas for improvement. By focusing on specific features, such as vowels, consonants, stress, and intonation, students could develop their pronunciation skills in a systematic manner. Although the course yielded positive outcomes, there is room for improvement, particularly in the practice sessions. To enhance the effectiveness of course, it is recommended to increase the duration of the practice exercises. Allowing for more extensive practice time would provide students with additional opportunities to reinforce what they have learned and refine their pronunciation skills further.
