Studying pronunciation is a waste of time.

aghast · Post by **aghast** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 6:23 am

Mariam Nakhla wrote:Pronunciation is not waste of time. I am substitute teacher, I have accent so I have problem with kids. Sometime they do not understand me and I feel bad. I took a course about Odium and pronunciation but it take time to see how you progress. : :roll:

Maybe you should also take a few more lessons in English grammar too?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 02, 2003 9:14 am

pronunciation is very important . if you don't pronunce the word correctly be sure the receiver will missunderstand you .I am talking about the RP pronunciation. the british one. I would be greatful if I find an other teacher to discuss this topic this is my email ( *******.co.uk )

Mr.x · Post by **Mr.x** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 1:38 pm

birrell wrote:
rjcglass wrote:Sorry guys, but pronunciation is super important. I have had so many students who know grammer well, have a good vocabulary, but have horrible pronunciation, so what good is knowing English if you cant pronounce it? English pronunciation is very difficult, but very necessary if you are trying to make someone understand you.
Which pronunciation? The American pronunciation or the Estuary English pronunciation?

:D

Lynne · Post by **Lynne** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 10:19 am

I cannot believe that some people think pronunciation is not important, of course if you just spend your life on the message boards....

Face to face in the real world however, it isn't just what you say, but how you say it. People won't want to talk to you if they can't understand you, it's just too tiring. This doesn't mean that we all have to talk like the Queen of England though, as long as people can understand you that's fine.

And if you don't believe me listen to that famous 'Pronunciation poem', then you will realise just how important it is.

Pronunciation Please

costadina · Post by **costadina** » Mon Oct 20, 2003 3:47 pm

[iIs pronounciaton important? I'll say! Has anyone ever tried to listen to someone mispronounce words. I have students whose pronounciation is so bad even if I have the text in front of me I can't understand what they are saying. If supposedly we learn a language in order to communicate in it, what good does it do to not be able to speak clearly. It doesn't matter what accent you have as long as you speak clearly, otherwise noone will understand you.

][/i]

xingjing · Post by **xingjing** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:27 am

Mariam Nakhla wrote:Pronunciation is not waste of time. I am substitute teacher, I have accent so I have problem with kids. Sometime they do not understand me and I feel bad. I took a course about Odium and pronunciation but it take time to see how you progress. :

i am a chinese and i like your opinions.are you an american?

xingjing · Post by **xingjing** » Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:31 am

[quote="Lynne"]I cannot believe that some people think pronunciation is not important, of course if you just spend your life on the message boards....

Face to face in the real world however, it isn't just what you say, but how you say it. People won't want to talk to you if they can't understand you, it's just too tiring. This doesn't mean that we all have to talk like the Queen of England though, as long as people can understand you that's fine.

And if you don't believe me listen to that famous 'Pronunciation poem', then you will realise just how important it is.

can i make a friend with you ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:29 am

Studying pronunciation is a waste of time

:P

sothy · Post by **sothy** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 11:17 am

birrell wrote:
rjcglass wrote:Sorry guys, but pronunciation is super important. I have had so many students who know grammer well, have a good vocabulary, but have horrible pronunciation, so what good is knowing English if you cant pronounce it? English pronunciation is very difficult, but very necessary if you are trying to make someone understand you.
Which pronunciation? The American pronunciation or the Estuary English pronunciation?

:

James Zh · Post by **James Zh** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:54 pm

Pronunciation is really important. We use words to communicate in real life. Bad pronunciation will cause mass misunderstanding. If people can't understand what you say, they will have no interest to talk to you.

sanhong3 · Post by **sanhong3** » Fri Dec 26, 2003 2:08 pm

I strongly object to it.I believe that the pronunciation is fundmental.of course it's very important.it can help us a lot with our listening skills.if we can't master the pronunciation well,we'll find many obstacles when listening.also it can enhance our confidence in english learning.the key to success lies in practice.practice,practice,practice the pronunciation.believe me,it will benefit u a lot.

sunflower · Post by **sunflower** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 10:03 am

:D
Well , I can affirm that pronunciation is very important for all of us . You can't imagine how would you study English without pronunciation ? You can still speak English but nobody can understand what you are saying . Only by learning pronunciation , you can master English . Now I'm the first year student . Previously , when I learned at my high school, my form teacher didn't pay attention to pronunciation. But when I go to the university , everything changed. At first I found that pronunciation is very difficult . But gradually I find that I can speak English well if I don't learn pronuncitation . So I can say that pronunciation is very important for all of us .

gulf girl · Post by **gulf girl** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:47 am

Talking Point wrote:Studying Pronunciation is a Waste of Time!

What do you think?

I'm not agree with you brother. I feel it is so important to learn the pronunciation rules for thetarget language to be effective in it. I like this cours so much when I have been studied it.

Judy2004 · Post by **Judy2004** » Sun Aug 29, 2004 10:20 am

It is undoubted that pronunciation is very important for every language.If you can't pronounce correctly or properly,how can you understand others and how can you make yourself understoood?

Sometimes,we have such experience:we only hear the voice of a stranger who is out of sight.If he or she can pronounce clearly and correctly,have a very good intonation,it is like the music to our ear and we are pleased to enjoy listening,simultaneously, we may automatically form a mental picture about the stranger that he or she must have good personalities and great charm and have a pleasant appearance,which may promote us to come close to him or her and make friends with him or her.From this point of view,pronunciation is one part of first impression and also our name card,so we should try our best to make our name card as beautiful and graceful as possible.

Some of us maybe come across such situation where we are requested to repeat what we have just said more than one time due to our incorrect pronunciation.As we repeat the sentence slowly,we may feel a little embarrassed and lose some confidence in ourselves,sometimes even forget what we will speak.

Certainly,it is not necessary for us to speak as well as a local,however,we are supposed to improve pronunciation to smooth our communication.

Fenerbahçeli · Post by **Fenerbahçeli** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:47 pm

how can I memorize them? it is difficult to learn them. I think my grammer is well but vocabulary and pronounce aren't well. what can I do to develop them?

Arale · Post by **Arale** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:58 am

It depends. But I never think it wastes time to learn it, even for non-professional learners.

_Arale_

D · Post by D » Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:01 am

The entire debate is preposterous — of course pronunciation and enunciation matter! After all, who can be bothered talking to someone whose oral deliveries sound like home-invented grunting language? 'So wot if thoyve bin learnin inglish f'yeez if u caan undastan' a bloin word thayr soyin?'

I contribute regularly to another messageboard for English learners, and I find it amazing how sooner or later there is always a less advanced learner who dare suggest that 'grammar is useless' and 'pronunciation doesn't matter'.

Ironically enough, it's usually also the same people whose English orthography leaves a tad, or many tads, to be desired. How easy it is to discard what one doesn't understand!

D

paradise · Post by **paradise** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 9:48 pm

I think that study pronounciation is good however of its difficulty . but learning prononciation is more benifit from experience .

jone54 · Post by **jone54** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 4:01 am

pronunciation is very important to make yourself understood and it and help you to improve your listening . it's obvious that when you are reading english, you can hear yourself . and if your pronunciation is not good enough, you will not understand others' right accent. it will make a vicious circle.
because of English's extensive use by people all over the world ,so there are many different accents. but it is a language like any other else, it's made up of pronunciation , intonation , grammer and so on , you can't cut down any one of them.

anilakyol · Post by **anilakyol** » Thu Mar 10, 2005 2:35 pm

I do not agree.Because as it has already been stated correct pronunciation is the key to be understood well.As being a Turk I have a problemn with pronouncing 'th' and 'w'.For example when i want to say three i pronounce it as tree.Ok this may not cause a big problem but there are many words which create big problems.

Rodrigo Klassen · Post by **Rodrigo Klassen** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:22 am

it really isn't a wast of time. we me must learn pronunce to avoid causing terribles misunderstoods..

authorityquery · Post by **authorityquery** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:51 pm

I don't think pronunciation 's waste of time.
If you don't practise it how can you speak some homonyms, or... Many things you have to learn about pronunciation, and It' really big problem for whom learn English.
I have to practise reading everyday to improve myself.
Thanks.

someone_cute · Post by **someone_cute** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:51 pm

I hated sentence that says ( .... is a waste of time ) ..
Because there is nothing related to studying called a waste of time ..
I thing we have to know how 2 pronounce the words because some words when we change its pronounciation we chang the all meaning ,, so that the people can't understand us ..
and if it doesn't benefit us it will not harm us as they always say ..

shokin · Post by **shokin** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:27 am

If you want to train your pronunciation, the ideal is to go to an english-speaking town !

And of course you have to talk !

Shokin

someone_cute · Post by **someone_cute** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:36 am

shokin wrote:If you want to train your pronunciation, the ideal is to go to an english-speaking town !

And of course you have to talk !

Shokin

Yeah , it's tried by some people whose I know , and it was very usefull and they r good at English now

shokin · Post by **shokin** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 5:04 pm

someone_cute wrote:
shokin wrote:If you want to train your pronunciation, the ideal is to go to an english-speaking town !

And of course you have to talk !

Shokin
Yeah , it's tried by some people whose I know , and it was very usefull and they r good at English now

Why the "

" ?

Shokin

someone_cute · Post by **someone_cute** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:23 am

shokin wrote:
Why the " " ?

Shokin

hahaha
No , just thinking about it :)

shokin · Post by **shokin** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 6:21 pm

Ah ! a lapsus linguae

Shokin

someone_cute · Post by **someone_cute** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:30 pm

shokin wrote:a lapsus linguae

Can I know what is the meaning of it if u don't mind ??

shokin · Post by **shokin** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 3:52 pm

Normally a lapsus linguae is something you say when you want to say anything else.

"I met my sex." when you mean "I met my ex."

The two words are not always paronym...

"I told lies... heu... I told what I had to say." :?

Once at a biology course, during a presentation, a girl had to explain the phenomen of the excretion. At the end she said : "Now you know the phenomen of the erection."

we were all laughing, even the teacher

Shokin

Dixie · Post by **Dixie** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 10:40 am

shokin wrote: "I met my sex." when you mean "I met my ex."

Nice example

joedev1 · Post by **joedev1** » Mon Aug 22, 2005 10:26 am

Hello Everybody,

I have read three pages of posts and see that some good points have been brought up. However, most of you have missed the main point. The question is NOT "Is pronunciation a waste of time?". The question is "Is the STUDY of pronunciation waste of time?". Until you can provide some SPECIFIC evidence that studying pronunciation brings real results, you will not have succeeded in presenting a winning argument. Do you know of a specific student or class, using a specific method of studying pronunciation, who overcame a real problem with pronunciation?

Consider this argument: "Studying pronunciation is a waste of time because students fail to make real progress, regardless of the method used. Students may say a word, phrase or sentence clearly in class, but when they must speak outside of class, they revert to using unclear pronuncation. The time spent on pronunciation would be much more effectively used on learning vocabulary and grammar."

As an English teacher and learner of French, Spanish, Japanese and Chinese, I believe pronunciation CAN be learned. The question for all of you said pronuciation is important: HOW?

I'm looking forward to reading your replies!

Teacher Joe

hello · Post by **hello** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 8:54 pm

Since you are discussing the pronouciation difficulty, I want someone to help me in solving my problem with pronounciation ... Or recommend some methods to improve my pronounciation of the words...

Although, I am very good in writing , I face many difficulties with the pronounciation...

Sometimes I cannot pronounce the word correctly which makes others doubt in the strength of my English language...

Po0o0o0o0or ME.....

joedev1 · Post by **joedev1** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 1:27 am

hello wrote:Although, I am very good in writing , I face many difficulties with the pronounciation...

Sometimes I cannot pronounce the word correctly which makes others doubt in the strength of my English language...

Po0o0o0o0or ME.....

Hello Mr. Hello! This is precisely what we should be discussing. Is it even possible to improve pronunciation by studying? If so, how? Or, on the other hand, do we have to accept the results we get "naturally"? As I said before, my teaching, as well as my experience learning French, Japanese, and Chinese, tells me it IS possible. Since this is a discussion board for students, I hope members will give their ideas on how to STUDY pronunciation. I'm sure they have some great success stories that will help you. After they have communicated their ideas, I will add my thoughts, if necessary.

Teacher Joe

hello · Post by **hello** » Sat Aug 27, 2005 7:58 pm

Hello Mr

" Teacher Joe"

First of all, I am a Miss not Mr, it is just a nickname however I'd prefer all of you to call me Dreams ...

Second, I really want to thank you for you concern. Hopefully, coming up with some tips to help all of us who suffer from this problem...

Do you think Using Electronic Dictionaries( which pronounces the wards) would be the best solution...?

IF there are other tips please tell me...

Thanks againTeacher Joe ...

Dreams

joedev1 · Post by **joedev1** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:25 am

Hello Miss Hello,

I'm surprised nobody else has offered any tips yet. So many people have written that pronunciation is important, but they seem to have no idea how to actually improve it.

From your posts it is obvious you know a lot of English. At this point in your study, you not only have the problem of learning English pronunciation, you also have the problem of breaking bad habits formed after mispronouncing English for such a long time. It will not be as easy for you now as it would have been when you first started learning English. Here are some things I can suggest:

1) Listen to all kinds of English very CAREFULLY. Today's dictionaries with voice recordings are not too bad, but single words won't help you very much. You have to listen to a variety of voices and a variety of word combinations, as well as sentences and paragraphs.

2) Repeat what you listen to over and over again. Try to imitate native English pronunciation as closely as possible. Native English speaking TV and radio announcers do this, so don't think it's too basic for your English level. In my classes, I have students pretend that they are on the radio, saying sentences just like the professionals. It's not only effective, it's also quite fun!

3) Try recording your voice while reading whole paragraphs, then compare with the native English speakers on CD or tape. Be sure to do this once today so that you can see your progress over time.

4) Try to identify your weak points - which vowels and consonants are hardest for you to pronounce? Put extra emphasis on those sounds. You may also have trouble with groups of consonants or vowel combinations. English rhythm is sometimes a problem for students, so pay attention the this, too, as you listen.

5) Since you're trying to break old habits, you are going to have to FOCUS. Practice several times a day every single day for as long as you need. I think you can see some improvement in a few weeks, though it will probably take longer to reach the level you really want.

Good luck and don't stop trying!

Teacher Joe

hello · Post by **hello** » Sun Sep 04, 2005 3:02 pm

Thanks Teacher Joe ...

I really appreciate your concern and your tips...I'll consider them...

I'll try my best to follow your tips. You know what ? there is another problem I face other than pronounciation and especially at the university...

I hasitate a lot before speaking in English.. I feel very shy and very low self esteem ... I feel that I might make mistakes whenever I speak in English .... When I speak, I speak very quickly and finish my sentence ... So, I don't take my time in speaking or explaining my point of view...

Many times happen that I know the words and I have enough vocabulary to parcticipate during the class, but I see my mouth locked and cannot say any word...

So, I dont to feel confident over my self while talking in English..

I need your help again..

Dreams

joedev1 · Post by **joedev1** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:46 pm

Hi Dreams,

hello wrote: there is another problem I face other than pronounciation and especially at the university...

I hasitate a lot before speaking in English.. I feel very shy and very low self esteem ... I feel that I might make mistakes whenever I speak in English .... When I speak, I speak very quickly and finish my sentence ... So, I don't take my time in speaking or explaining my point of view...

It seems you have two different problems, but in fact, they may be the same. The reason you hesitate may be because you know your pronunciation is not as good as your grammar, vocabulary or writing. Please follow the suggestions I made in my previous post and see if you don't speak more smoothly in the future. As you speak more smoothly with fewer problems, you will gain confidence little by little.

Of course, along the way, you will have to make some mistakes. Mistakes are not really a problem IF you learn from them. As Thomas Watson, the founder of IBM, said: "The key to success is to double your failure rate". Each time you make a mistake in speaking is an opportunity for you to improve. Good luck!

Teacher Joe

Shazzam · Post by **Shazzam** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 1:00 pm

I just thought I would add and example that my young daughter is using through a tutor.

She comes from an English speaking family; but reading english is something you need to learn. Here is the example that was given to her, and I think you might find it really useful.

My daughter was given one page from a book with a graph. In this graph you are given (for example) 200 words that you have to read out loud to someone (or even yourself) but the trick is that you have to read it out loud. You have to time yourself (so you need to set a clock for 1 minute). At the end of the minute you add up the words that you have read and how many mistakes you have made. You work out how many words a minute you can read.

You really need to graph this because each day you will improve. You will find that after one week you may have gone from (80-120 words). It is all about increasing your confidence.

Please keep in mind that it has to be the same text. The same page of a book etc. Also you have to remember that you need to read this out loud. Preferrably to someone else.

Just try this exercise for two or three weeks and see how much your confidence rises.

It works. Really! 8) 8) 8)

Rasoolpuri · Post by **Rasoolpuri** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 1:56 am

I think Pronunciation skill is necessary for speaking English

Danyet · Post by **Danyet** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:00 am

Listening and repeating CD's after class is excellent for pronounciation. That way time in class can be spent on other things.

hello · Post by **hello** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:23 pm

Hi all,

I want to thank you deeply from my heart.

Hopefully soon , I'll post a message telling you about my improvement in pronounciation...

I am going to try all your ways and follow your tips...

God bless you all, and wishing for you all the best,,,

Thanks again ..

Dreams

CityYoung · Post by **CityYoung** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 10:11 pm

I think study speaking is enough

Quala · Post by **Quala** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 1:47 pm

Anonymous wrote:pronunciation is very important . if you don't pronunce the word correctly be sure the receiver will missunderstand you .

I agree with you

Pearla · Post by **Pearla** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 8:50 pm

First of all, i want to thank teacher Joe for the tips and advice taht he gave to hello and i want to thank hello for posting her problem, which is the same problem that i suffer from. so i am really thankful for both of you.

regarding to the topic, i belive that studying pronunciation is important and not wasting time at all, because it help us to understand english speakers verywell and communicate with them in a good way and help us to be undrestood from the english speakers side as well.

Thanks

Pearla

Vega · Post by **Vega** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:00 am

Pronunciation is one of the important thing in learning
language. When i studied at school, my non-native teacher used to teach us with bizarre accent, therefore
i didn't respect his subject.
I always wanted to say her : " If you going to teach us
english, then, go and learn good pronunciation first! "

klistenes · Post by **klistenes** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:34 pm

I think that pronunciation is important but, if the people understand you , you dont need pronunciation , however , if you r going to speak about one toinc in front of people , you need good pronunciation

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Pronunciation is very important.

pronunciation is very important to make yourself understood

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