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The Melody of English

Sheila Lebedenko

Intonation signals to your audience that you are connecting thought units or ending them.  Sometimes we end them with finality, uncertainty, questions, or excitement, for example.   Intonation helps listeners follow you with ease.  Intonation also gives language a melody and keeps it from sounding boring.  This course will teach you proper breathing that works in sync with your intonation.  You will also learn how to divide vowels so that the vowels can carry the intonation.  Then you will apply the vowel movement knowledge to intonation patterns .  Finally you will learn how we use intonation to highlight the most important word in a chunk of information, and how to pick the most important word so that your listeners can easily follow you.  Each video lesson invites you to either repeat a word or phrase after the instructor or repeat along with the instructor. The lessons include instructor explanation and examples, along with charts, intonation drawings and stress markings so that you can see what you are hearing.  The course is accompanied by written lessons that you can print out and use to follow along and take notes.  After each lesson, you are invited to use the repetition audio provided to build muscle memory of your newly developed skills.  The more you use the repetition audio the better.    There are extra sentences in the repetition audio that are not in the videos, for extra exposure and practice.  The instructor is always making new lessons to add , so the course will grow with you.  Your feedback is invited so that the instructor can made new lessons that will be useful for you.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn proper breathing techniques for connected speech
  • Learn how to divide vowels and glide up and down with them smoothly
  • Learn intonation patterns and functions
  • Learn which words to stress the most: primary phrase stress

Syllabus

Introduction

Here is an overview of what you will learn in this course.  Print out or download the written lesson now so you can follow along and take notes.  You can also use the written lesson when doing the repetition audio exercises.

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Breathing

Learn how to speak with the breath and connect your words.

How to Break Up Vowels for Intonation

Learn how to divide the vowels, Long E, Short I, Long A, Short E and Short A, into 2 or 3 parts so that you can rise and fall on the vowel.

Learn how to divide the vowels, ER, Short U and Short O, into 2 or 3 parts so that you can rise and fall on the vowel.

Learn how to divide the vowels, Long U, Short Back U, Long O and Short Back O, into 2 or 3 parts so that you can rise and fall on the vowel.

Learn how to divide the vowels, Long I, OI and Long OU into 2 or 3 parts so that you can rise and fall on the vowel.

Here you get extra practice siring as your repeat after me.  We will also go into more detail about reverse sireningi and sirening with R and L sounds.

Beginner Intonation, Chunking & Primary Phrase Stress

If all you have time for is this, you can use these beginner intonation patterns effectively for a long time.  When you have more time, learn the advanced ones too.   Here you will learn the most common ways to do intonation for statements, information questions, yes-no questions, introductory words, unfinished thoughts, lists and choice questions.

Learn the basic rules of Primary phrase stress:  how to choose the most important word in a phrase.

Use thought group chunking to plan what you will say next and control your speed and flow.

You will learn extra intonation patterns for more variety, such as rise and fall, with mid-rise, or falling to emphasize a word.

Add more variety and meaning to your intonation with these extra patterns.

Here we apply the advanced intonation patterns from Lecture 10 to the beginner intonation lesson from lecture 8.

Advanced PPS- exceptions

Learn a variety of grammar exceptions to the general PPS rule

Review all the different noun construction exceptions with 2 stories.

Learn 2 more very common exceptions to the general PPS rule.

Learn many different types of parenthetical that an be tagged on to the end of a sentence without being stressed.

Review

Read a whole story while considering all the intonation and PPS rules we have learned.

Full Pronunciation Review (vowels, consonants, rhythm, melody)

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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 Melody of English with these activities:
Review Basic Phonetics
Reviewing basic phonetics will help you better understand how sounds are produced and how they contribute to intonation patterns.
Browse courses on phonetics
Show steps
  • Review the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) chart.
  • Practice producing different vowel and consonant sounds.
  • Listen to native speakers and try to identify the sounds they are making.
Read 'American Accent Training' by Ann Cook
Reading this book will provide a solid foundation in American English pronunciation and intonation, complementing the course material.
View American Accent Training with Online Audio... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on intonation and stress.
  • Complete the exercises in the book.
  • Record yourself speaking and compare it to the audio examples.
Intonation Pattern Repetition
Practicing intonation patterns through repetition will help you develop muscle memory and improve your fluency.
Show steps
  • Select a few intonation patterns from the course.
  • Find audio examples of native speakers using those patterns.
  • Repeat the patterns along with the audio, focusing on accuracy.
  • Record yourself and compare it to the original audio.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Record Yourself Speaking
Recording yourself speaking and analyzing your intonation will help you identify areas for improvement.
Show steps
  • Choose a short passage of text.
  • Record yourself reading the passage.
  • Listen to the recording and analyze your intonation patterns.
  • Identify areas where you can improve.
Explore 'Clear Speech' by Judy Gilbert
This book offers a comprehensive approach to clear speech, reinforcing the course's focus on intonation and pronunciation.
View Clear Speech from the Start Teacher's Resource... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the sections on intonation and rhythm.
  • Practice the exercises provided in the book.
  • Pay attention to the audio examples and try to imitate them.
Help Others with Pronunciation
Helping others with pronunciation and intonation will reinforce your own understanding and skills.
Show steps
  • Find someone who is learning English.
  • Listen to them speak and identify areas where they can improve.
  • Provide them with feedback and suggestions.
  • Explain the intonation rules and patterns you have learned.
Analyze Movie Dialogue
Analyzing movie dialogue for intonation patterns will help you understand how native speakers use intonation in real-life conversations.
Show steps
  • Choose a scene from an English-language movie.
  • Watch the scene and pay attention to the actors' intonation.
  • Transcribe the dialogue and mark the intonation patterns.
  • Analyze why the actors use those specific patterns.

Career center

Learners who complete The Melody of English will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
English as a Second Language Teacher
An English as a Second Language Teacher helps non-native speakers develop their English language skills. This course, with its focus on intonation, breathing, and vowel division, provides a strong foundation for teaching pronunciation. By understanding how to effectively use intonation to convey meaning and highlight important words, you can guide your students in improving their speaking and comprehension skills. The course's systematic approach to breaking down vowels and intonation patterns is relevant and easily transferable to helping students improve their English.
See salaries and explore the career path for English as a Second Language Teacher
Voice Coach
A voice coach works with individuals to improve their vocal delivery, projection, and overall speaking skills. This course is particularly helpful for a voice coach because it directly addresses critical aspects of voice modulation, such as intonation and breath control. Understanding how intonation adds melody to speech and how to use breath to support vocal delivery is crucial for effective coaching. The course is useful to voice coaches, who can in turn use the knowledge from this course to aid their clients in improving their vocal techniques.
See salaries and explore the career path for Voice Coach
Communications Trainer
Communications trainers conduct workshops and training sessions to enhance individuals' communication skills. This course will be particularly relevant for a communications trainer, because it hones in on the details of intonation, breathing, and stress patterns. The course's emphasis on intonation to highlight the most important words is useful for improving clarity and impact. The course's materials can be adapted into training exercises, and communications trainers can use the course as a reference for designing comprehensive communication programs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Communications Trainer
Public Speaker
Public speakers deliver presentations and speeches to various audiences. The ability to use intonation effectively is crucial for maintaining audience engagement and conveying the intended message. This course is deeply useful, as it offers a structured approach to mastering intonation, breath control, and vowel division. The course's focus on highlighting important words will assist public speakers in emphasizing key points and ensuring clarity. The course will assist in delivering speeches that sound natural, engaging, and persuasive.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Speaker
Speech Pathologist
Speech pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat individuals with speech and language disorders. Understanding the nuances of intonation and its impact on speech clarity is crucial for this role. This course is highly valuable as it provides a detailed understanding of intonation patterns, breath control, and vowel articulation. The course's systematic approach is useful for developing targeted interventions to improve speech quality and communication effectiveness. Mastering course content will support speech pathologists in helping their patients.
See salaries and explore the career path for Speech Pathologist
Accent Reduction Coach
An accent reduction coach helps individuals modify or neutralize their accents to improve clarity and communication effectiveness. This course offers direct benefits for accent reduction coaches, as it focuses on the specifics of English intonation, vowel sounds, and breathing techniques. The course's structured lessons on vowel division is useful for targeting specific pronunciation challenges. An accent reduction coach may find the course useful for helping clients achieve a more neutral or standard English accent.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accent Reduction Coach
Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers develop and deliver training programs to employees within an organization. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is essential for a corporate trainer, and this course helps sharpen those skills. By mastering the nuances of intonation and vocal delivery, a corporate trainer can enhance their presentation skills and engage their audience. The course's focus on highlighting important words ensures that training content is easily understood and retained. The course can help corporate trainers refine their communication style and improve their training effectiveness.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Trainer
News Anchor
News anchors deliver news stories on television or radio, and clarity and effective communication are essential. This course is deeply useful for news anchors, as it provides a structured approach to mastering intonation, breath control, and vocal delivery. The course is relevant, as it ensures that a news anchor conveys information accurately and engagingly. The understanding of intonation patterns will support news anchors in delivering the news with confidence and authority.
See salaries and explore the career path for News Anchor
Podcast Host
Podcast hosts create and present audio content on a variety of topics. The ability to engage listeners through vocal delivery is crucial for a successful podcast. The course can be especially useful for podcast hosts, as it offers practical techniques for improving intonation, breath control, and overall vocal presence. The course's emphasis on highlighting important words can help podcast hosts maintain listener interest and convey their message effectively. The course supports podcast hosts in connecting with their audience.
See salaries and explore the career path for Podcast Host
Interpreter
Interpreters facilitate communication between individuals who speak different languages. While fluency in multiple languages is essential, the ability to use effective intonation is pivotal for conveying the intended meaning. This course may be useful for interpreters, as it provides insights into English intonation patterns and breath control techniques. The course's lessons on highlighting important words can help interpreters ensure that the most critical information is accurately conveyed. The understanding of the course will support interpreters in delivering precise and nuanced interpretations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter
Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives interact with customers to provide assistance and resolve issues. Clear and effective communication is essential for this role. This course may be useful for customer service representatives as it provides insights into English intonation patterns and breath control techniques. The course's lessons on highlighting important words can ensure that the most critical information is conveyed. The understanding of the course will support customer service representatives in delivering precise and helpful information to customers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative
Sales Representative
Sales representatives are responsible for selling products or services to customers. The ability to communicate persuasively is essential in this role. This course may be useful for sales representatives, as it provides insights into English intonation patterns and breath control techniques. The course's lessons on highlighting important words can help sales representatives emphasize the most important points about their products or services. The understanding of the course may support sales representatives in delivering persuasive pitches and closing sales.
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Video Game Voice Actor
Video game voice actors provide voices for characters in video games. This field requires the ability to convey emotion and meaning through dialogue and voice inflection. This course may be useful for video game voice actors, as it provides insights into English intonation patterns and breath control techniques. The course's lessons on highlighting important words can help voice actors emphasize the most important information of dialogue. An understanding of this course may support voice actors in creating believable and engaging character performances.
See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Voice Actor
Translator
Translators convert written text from one language to another, requiring a strong grasp of linguistic nuances. While written translation is the primary focus, understanding intonation can aid in comprehending the source material. This course may be useful for translators as it provides insights into intonation patterns, breath control, and stress within spoken English. The course's lessons on how to highlight words may help translators understand the emphasis of the source text. This course may help translators capture the original meaning more accurately.
See salaries and explore the career path for Translator
Copywriter
Copywriters are tasked with creating compelling written content for advertising or marketing. An understanding of the rhythm and flow of language can enhance the effectiveness of written copy. This course may be useful for copywriters as it provides insights into intonation patterns, breath control, and stress within spoken English. Though copywriters primarily deal with written text, understanding intonation can inform their writing and overall comprehension of written text. This course may help copywriters create more engaging and persuasive content.
See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Melody of English.
Cover image
American Accent Training with Online Audio
Save
Comprehensive guide to learning the American accent, covering pronunciation, intonation, and stress patterns. It provides detailed explanations and exercises to help learners improve their spoken English. This book is particularly useful for understanding the nuances of American English intonation. It is commonly used as a textbook in accent reduction courses.
American Accent Training with Online Audio...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Clear Speech from the Start Teacher's Resource and...
Save
Focuses on improving pronunciation and clarity in spoken English. It covers various aspects of pronunciation, including vowel and consonant sounds, stress, rhythm, and intonation. It useful reference tool for learners who want to enhance their overall spoken English skills. It provides additional depth to the course by offering alternative explanations and exercises.
Clear Speech from the Start Teacher's Resource and...
Paperback
$$

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Effort
3 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Sheila Lebedenko
Language
English
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