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Helen Nam,
Marla Yoshida,
Meg Parker,
and
Emily Wong
In this third course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization, you will learn and practice the "music" of American English, the features of pronunciation such as stress, rhythm, and intonation that will help improve your listening comprehension as well as your ability to communicate more clearly. Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of the musical features of English. You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.
Read more
In this third course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization, you will learn and practice the "music" of American English, the features of pronunciation such as stress, rhythm, and intonation that will help improve your listening comprehension as well as your ability to communicate more clearly. Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of the musical features of English. You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.
Read more
In this third course of The Pronunciation of American English specialization, you will learn and practice the "music" of American English, the features of pronunciation such as stress, rhythm, and intonation that will help improve your listening comprehension as well as your ability to communicate more clearly. Each week you will receive practical advice from successful English learners and practice an effective technique called shadowing to improve your pronunciation of the musical features of English. You will also have opportunities to record yourself and to respond to the recordings of other learners.
Only learners who pay for the course will be able to take the graded quizzes or submit assignments for feedback. The free version provides access to the lectures and practice activities only.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/ja4z3d/the
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What's inside
Syllabus
Welcome
Welcome to The Music of American English Pronunciation! In this course, you’ll move beyond individual consonant and vowel sounds and learn about things like syllable stress, intonation, and linking. These give English its characteristic “music,” and they’re a big help in making your pronunciation sound more natural and understandable. Learning about these things will also improve your listening skill and make it easier for you to understand English when it’s spoken at a normal speed. Good luck in practicing the music of American English Pronunciation!
Read more
Syllabus
Welcome
Welcome to The Music of American English Pronunciation! In this course, you’ll move beyond individual consonant and vowel sounds and learn about things like syllable stress, intonation, and linking. These give English its characteristic “music,” and they’re a big help in making your pronunciation sound more natural and understandable. Learning about these things will also improve your listening skill and make it easier for you to understand English when it’s spoken at a normal speed. Good luck in practicing the music of American English Pronunciation!
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Teaches stress, rhythm, and intonation, which are essential elements of American English pronunciation
Emphasizes practical application through shadowing techniques, allowing learners to actively improve their pronunciation
Offers opportunities for peer feedback and self-assessment through recorded pronunciation exercises
Taught by experienced instructors, Meg Parker, Emily Wong, Helen Nam, and Marla Yoshida, who are experts in pronunciation teaching
Suitable for intermediate learners who have already established a basic foundation in American English pronunciation
Requires payment for graded quizzes and feedback, limiting accessibility for some learners
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Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary
Mastering english pronunciation through melody
According to students, this course offers a highly effective approach to American English pronunciation by focusing on its "music" – specifically stress, rhythm, and intonation. Many learners report significant improvements in both speaking clarity and listening comprehension. The emphasis on practical techniques like shadowing and self-recording activities is frequently highlighted as a core strength. However, some learners note that access to graded quizzes and assignments is limited to the paid version, which can be a consideration for those using the free track. Overall, it's considered an excellent resource for intermediate English learners aiming for a more natural accent.
Peer feedback is a key feature, but its quality can fluctuate.
"Receiving feedback from other learners was often helpful for me."
"Some peer reviews were not very constructive, making it hard to improve."
"The community interaction provided diverse perspectives on pronunciation."
Most beneficial for intermediate learners, less so for advanced.
"As an intermediate learner, this course was exactly what I needed."
"For someone who already knows phonetic basics, it felt a bit repetitive."
"I found the course helpful for solidifying existing knowledge rather than new."
The instructor provides explanations that are easy to follow.
"The lectures were always easy to follow, even for complex topics."
"I found the instructor's teaching style very clear and encouraging."
"The course structure progresses logically, building skills step-by-step."
Hands-on methods like shadowing are highly beneficial for learners.
"The shadowing practice was challenging but incredibly effective for me."
"Recording myself and comparing to native speakers helped pinpoint my issues."
"I appreciated the consistent advice and hands-on practice activities offered."
The unique focus on English's 'music' greatly improves clarity.
"I finally understood how stress and intonation make such a difference in sounding natural."
"This course taught me the music of English, which truly improved my clarity."
"My listening comprehension improved dramatically after focusing on rhythm in speech."
Graded assessments and assignments are restricted to paid users.
"It was disappointing that graded assignments were behind a paywall."
"The free version offers good practice, but I wished for more formal feedback."
"To get the most out of it, I felt I needed to pay for the full course."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in The Music of American English Pronunciation with these
activities:
Review Pronunciation in American English
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with critical American English pronunciation concepts outside of class to enhance your learning later in the course.
View
Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary with...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Examine the introduction and preface of the book to get a general overview of the resource.
-
Read the first chapter to learn about the International Phonetic Alphabet.
-
Look up and transcribe 10 different American English words using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Online Pronunciation Games
Show steps
Playing online pronunciation games can be a fun and engaging way to improve your pronunciation.
Show steps
-
Find a website or app that offers pronunciation games.
-
Play the games regularly to practice different aspects of pronunciation, such as stress, intonation, and rhythm.
Tongue Twister Practice
Show steps
Practicing tongue twisters is a fun and effective way to improve pronunciation and fluency.
Show steps
-
Find a list of tongue twisters online or in a book.
-
Read the tongue twisters aloud, focusing on pronouncing each word clearly.
-
Record yourself saying the tongue twisters and listen back to identify any areas where you need to improve.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Shadowing Practice
Show steps
Regular practice with shadowing will improve your pronunciation skills and enhance comprehension.
Browse courses on
Shadowing
Show steps
-
Find an audio recording of a native English speaker.
-
Listen to the recording and repeat what you hear out loud, imitating the speaker's pronunciation and intonation.
-
Record yourself shadowing and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Pronunciation Journal
Show steps
Creating a pronunciation journal will help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
-
Choose a notebook or digital document to use as your journal.
-
Record unfamiliar words or phrases that you encounter.
-
Practice pronouncing the words and phrases you have recorded.
-
Reflect on your pronunciation and note any areas where you need to improve.
Pronunciation Study Group
Show steps
Collaborating with peers in a study group will provide opportunities for feedback and support in improving your pronunciation.
Show steps
-
Find a group of classmates or other learners who are interested in improving their pronunciation.
-
Meet regularly to practice pronunciation exercises together.
-
Provide feedback to each other on pronunciation and intonation.
-
Share resources and tips for improving pronunciation.
Pronunciation Workshop
Show steps
Attending a pronunciation workshop will provide focused instruction and opportunities for personalized feedback.
Show steps
-
Find a pronunciation workshop offered by a qualified instructor.
-
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises and discussions.
-
Implement the techniques and strategies learned in the workshop in your own pronunciation practice.
Pronunciation Presentation
Show steps
Preparing and delivering a pronunciation presentation will enhance your understanding and ability to explain pronunciation concepts.
Show steps
-
Choose a specific topic related to American English pronunciation, such as stress patterns or intonation.
-
Research your topic and gather evidence to support your points.
-
Create a presentation outline and prepare visual aids.
-
Practice delivering your presentation in front of a mirror or with a friend.
-
Present your findings to your classmates or a group of learners.
Review Pronunciation in American English
Show steps
Familiarize yourself with critical American English pronunciation concepts outside of class to enhance your learning later in the course.
View
Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary with...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Examine the introduction and preface of the book to get a general overview of the resource.
- Read the first chapter to learn about the International Phonetic Alphabet.
- Look up and transcribe 10 different American English words using the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Online Pronunciation Games
Show steps
Playing online pronunciation games can be a fun and engaging way to improve your pronunciation.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a website or app that offers pronunciation games.
- Play the games regularly to practice different aspects of pronunciation, such as stress, intonation, and rhythm.
Tongue Twister Practice
Show steps
Practicing tongue twisters is a fun and effective way to improve pronunciation and fluency.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a list of tongue twisters online or in a book.
- Read the tongue twisters aloud, focusing on pronouncing each word clearly.
- Record yourself saying the tongue twisters and listen back to identify any areas where you need to improve.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Shadowing Practice
Show steps
Regular practice with shadowing will improve your pronunciation skills and enhance comprehension.
Browse courses on
Shadowing
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find an audio recording of a native English speaker.
- Listen to the recording and repeat what you hear out loud, imitating the speaker's pronunciation and intonation.
- Record yourself shadowing and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Pronunciation Journal
Show steps
Creating a pronunciation journal will help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a notebook or digital document to use as your journal.
- Record unfamiliar words or phrases that you encounter.
- Practice pronouncing the words and phrases you have recorded.
- Reflect on your pronunciation and note any areas where you need to improve.
Pronunciation Study Group
Show steps
Collaborating with peers in a study group will provide opportunities for feedback and support in improving your pronunciation.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a group of classmates or other learners who are interested in improving their pronunciation.
- Meet regularly to practice pronunciation exercises together.
- Provide feedback to each other on pronunciation and intonation.
- Share resources and tips for improving pronunciation.
Pronunciation Workshop
Show steps
Attending a pronunciation workshop will provide focused instruction and opportunities for personalized feedback.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a pronunciation workshop offered by a qualified instructor.
- Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises and discussions.
- Implement the techniques and strategies learned in the workshop in your own pronunciation practice.
Pronunciation Presentation
Show steps
Preparing and delivering a pronunciation presentation will enhance your understanding and ability to explain pronunciation concepts.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose a specific topic related to American English pronunciation, such as stress patterns or intonation.
- Research your topic and gather evidence to support your points.
- Create a presentation outline and prepare visual aids.
- Practice delivering your presentation in front of a mirror or with a friend.
- Present your findings to your classmates or a group of learners.
Career center
Learners who complete The Music of American English Pronunciation will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) work with people who have difficulty communicating. This course can help you develop the skills you need to be an effective SLP. You will learn how to assess and treat speech and language disorders, and you will also learn how to use your knowledge of English pronunciation to help your clients communicate more effectively.
English Teacher
English Teacher
This course is designed to help you master the pronunciation of American English. As an English Teacher, you need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both in speech and in writing. This course will help you to do just that. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more effective in the classroom and improve student learning outcomes.
Broadcast Journalist
Broadcast Journalist
Broadcast journalists need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both on camera and off. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful broadcast journalist. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more effective on camera and off, and they will also help you to build trust with your audience.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialists need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Public Relations Specialist. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more effective in your communications, and they will also help you to build relationships with key stakeholders.
Lawyer
Lawyer
Lawyers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively, both in writing and in speech. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful lawyer. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to be more persuasive in court, and they will also help you to build trust with your clients.
Doctor
Doctor
Doctors need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with patients and other healthcare professionals. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful doctor. You will learn how to pronounce medical terms correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build rapport with your patients and other healthcare professionals, and they will also help you to provide better care.
Teacher
Teacher
Teachers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with students. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful teacher. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to create a positive learning environment for your students, and they will also help you to be more effective in your teaching.
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Representatives need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Customer Service Representative. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with customers and resolve their issues quickly and efficiently.
Salesperson
Salesperson
Salespeople need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with customers. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful salesperson. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with customers and persuade them to buy your products or services.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to create marketing campaigns that are effective and persuasive.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with employees and other stakeholders. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Resources Manager. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with employees and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to create a positive work environment.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and other stakeholders. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful Financial Analyst. You will learn how to pronounce financial terms correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with clients and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to be more persuasive in your presentations.
Consultant
Consultant
Consultants need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and other stakeholders. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful consultant. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with clients and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to be more persuasive in your presentations.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of audiences. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful entrepreneur. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to build relationships with investors, customers, and other stakeholders, and they will also help you to be more persuasive in your presentations.
Podcaster
Podcaster
Podcasters need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with their audience. This course will help you to develop the skills you need to be a successful podcaster. You will learn how to pronounce words correctly, and you will also learn how to use stress, intonation, and rhythm to make your speech more natural and understandable. These skills will help you to create podcasts that are engaging and informative, and they will also help you to build a loyal following.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ja4z3d/the
Reading list
We've selected 13 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
The Music of American English Pronunciation.
Save
Classic work on the pronunciation of American English. It provides a detailed description of the different sounds of English and how they are used in speech. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the American English sound system.
Comprehensive guide to the sounds of English. It provides detailed descriptions of how each sound is produced and includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation. It valuable resource for students who want to improve their pronunciation and gain a deeper understanding of the English sound system.
Save
Comprehensive guide to applied phonetics. It provides detailed information on the different aspects of pronunciation, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the English sound system.
Comprehensive overview of the field of phonology. It provides detailed information on the different aspects of phonology, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of phonology.
Save
Comprehensive introduction to English phonetics and phonology. It provides a detailed overview of the different sounds of English and how they are used in speech. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the English sound system.
Save
Classic work on the phonology of English. It provides a detailed analysis of the sound system of English and how it is used to create words and sentences. It valuable resource for students who want to develop a deeper understanding of the English sound system.
Save
Comprehensive overview of the rhythm of American English. It provides a detailed discussion of the different rhythmic patterns used in American English and how they are used to convey meaning. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of rhythm and how it is used in speech.
Comprehensive introduction to prosody. It provides a detailed overview of the different aspects of prosody, including stress, rhythm, and intonation. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of prosody and how it is used in speech.
Comprehensive overview of the intonation of American English. It provides a detailed description of the different intonation patterns used in American English and how they are used to convey meaning. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of intonation and how it is used in speech.
Is designed for intermediate learners of English who want to improve their pronunciation. It provides clear explanations of the different sounds of English and how to produce them correctly. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation.
Comprehensive overview of the field of phonology. It provides a detailed discussion of the different theories of phonology and how they are used to explain the sound systems of languages. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of phonology.
Comprehensive guide to English pronunciation for advanced learners. It provides detailed explanations of the different sounds of English and how to produce them correctly. It also includes exercises to help students practice their pronunciation and develop their understanding of the English sound system.
Comprehensive overview of discourse intonation in English. It provides a detailed discussion of the different ways in which intonation is used to convey meaning in English. It also includes exercises to help students develop their understanding of discourse intonation and how it is used in speech.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/ja4z3d/the
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Effort
4-5 hours/week for 4 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of California, Irvine
Instructors
Helen Nam
Marla Yoshida
Meg Parker
Emily Wong
Language
English
Transcripts
Español
Français
Português
Deutsch
Italiano
中文
العربية
한국어
日本語
हिंदी
Nederlands
Svenska
Pусский
Türkçe
Polski
Ελληνικά
українська мова
magyar nyelv
Bahasa Indonesia
ไทย
қазақша
اُردُو,
فارسی
বাংলা
tiếng Việt
پښتو
آذربایجان دیلی
This course belongs to a
collection
called
The Pronunciation of American English. It's comprised of four courses:
- Vowels of American English Pronunciation
- The Music of American English Pronunciation (viewing)
- The Pronunciation of American English Project
- Consonants of American English Pronunciation
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