| 23 Mar 2011 |
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The "sounds" of English - promoting the rapid understanding of the language
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MUSCAT At a recent International Conference for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL Arabia) held in Dubai from the 10 - 12 March, Dr. Peter Waters, English lecturer at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech), presented an original and thought provoking seminar on English pronunciation, entitled "Sounds: Avenues for Language Learning". The theme of the TESOL Conference was "Rethinking English Language Teaching: Attitudes, Approaches and Perspectives". More than 1500 English lecturers from various countries such as Lebanon, Iran and Morocco attended the conference.
The presentation investigated ways in which educators might present the differentiation of the sounds of the English language in an effective way. Since all the skills of language learning depend on what is heard, easily identifiable sounds are the bases for interpretation, i.e. for gaining meaning, for writing and spelling, and for public speaking, involving enunciation, diction, phrasing and stress. "I think insufficient attention is given to these elements in courses probably because so much depends on written texts. So there is a felt need, especially in the initial stages of EFL teaching, to explore ways of presenting the "sounds" of English that make for rapid understanding and assist in improving the skills of comprehension and delivery," said Dr. Peter. A standard of clear pronunciation makes for better communication of meaning and, in turn, can inform not only the way learners speak, but also the way they think, write and spell.
"The importance of English teaching has increased, nowadays English is the main language of instruction for many Arabic speaking countries," said Dr. Peter Waters, who has lectured in Oman 8 years and is keen to find ways to make the learning of English both interesting and manageable. He explained that an essential characteristic of a language group is that everyone understands everyone else. Formerly, where broadcasters in English speaking countries tended to use a "received" pronunciation as a yardstick to follow those policies have been abandoned and replaced by regional accents and sub-dialects. There is no longer evident reference to a set standard of pronunciation and emphasis. This makes it particularly difficult for learners of English. Some EFL teachers have remarked that they can no longer advise students to refer to those broadcasters as a guide for listening practice.
Also available during the conference was Dr. Peter's contribution entitled "The Art of Scaffolding Reading and Writing" published as Chapter 4 in the Journal, "Transformations in TESOL". Dr. Peter enjoys educating his students yet also devotes leisure time to educational research including innovation and best practice with special attention to differing ways of learning among Omani language groups.
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Mit besten Gruessen
Manuela Gutberlet
Public Relations Manager
German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech)
Tel: +968 2461 6681
Fax: +968 2461 6677
GSM: +968 923 48 197
PO Box 1816, Athaibah, PC 130,
Sultanate of Oman
Sultan Qaboos Highway, direction Muscat Intern. Airport, exit Petrol Station
Building 636
www.gutech.edu.om
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