English pronunciation in use introduction
by Mark Hancock
English Pronunciation in Use by Mark Hancock is a comprehensive guide aimed at helping intermediate students improve their English pronunciation for both speaking and listening. The book is divided into 60 units, grouped into four main sections, each focusing on different aspects of pronunciation.
Section A: Letters and Sounds
This section introduces the basic sounds of English, their spelling, and how they differ from letters. It covers individual vowel and consonant sounds, often organized by their spellings rather than sound pairs, to help highlight regularities in English spelling and pronunciation.
Section B: Syllables, Words, and Sentences
Here, the book explores larger units of pronunciation such as syllables, word stress, and sentence stress. It includes:
- Syllables: Consonant clusters at the beginning and end of syllables, and plural and past tense endings.
- Word Stress: Stress patterns in two-syllable words, compound words, and longer words.
- Sentence Stress: Stress in sentences, including stressed and unstressed words, pronouns, contractions, and auxiliary verbs.
Section C: Pronunciation in Conversation
This section focuses on pronunciation features within conversational contexts, including:
- Understanding and producing conversational nuances like sentence grouping, small talk, and storytelling.
- Emphasizing important words and corrections.
- Using tones to indicate different types of information or emphasis.
Section D: Reference
The final section serves as a reference guide with:
- An introduction to phonemic symbols.
- A pronunciation test to identify areas of difficulty.
- A guide for speakers of specific languages to tailor their learning.
- Minimal sound pairs for practice.
- A glossary of pronunciation-related terms.
- A sentence stress phrasebook to practice common expressions.
Additional Features
The book includes four audio cassettes or CDs to accompany the exercises, which are crucial for practicing listening and speaking. The listening material features a variety of accents to help learners become accustomed to different ways English is spoken.
Usage Recommendations
- The book can be used for self-study or in a classroom setting.
- It is recommended to alternate between units from different sections to balance learning.
- Learners can take a pronunciation test and focus on the units relevant to their specific needs.
- The book uses a Southern British accent as the primary model for speaking but includes diverse accents in the listening exercises.
Overall, English Pronunciation in Use provides a structured approach to mastering English pronunciation, focusing on practical application and comprehensive practice across different linguistic contexts.
