Practical English Phonetics and Phonology

This course aims at improving one's spoken English through the understanding of the important theories and applications concerning the pronunciation and speech of English. The course is divided into two parts:

Part I - Phonetics

English phonemes will be explained in terms of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The topics include vowels, diphthongs and consonants in respect of the manner and the place of articulations. The application of phonetic symbols in dictionaries. After this stage, participants are expected to be able to pronounce every word shown in a dictionary.

Part II - Fluency

The differences in accent between General British (RP ) and General American, Australian and other accents of spoken English. Stress and weak form of words. Sound changes in connected speech: assimilation, elision and linking. These differences include intonation and voice control.

The course is instructed in both Cantonese and English to help participants to understand the essential bilingual differences and the causes of common errors in pronunciation. The course will be invaluable to those who have to communicate with native English speakers in their work or studies. University students especially, and prospective emigrants and teachers who have to speak English during lessons, will also find the course useful. ( Entry requirement: Age 18 or above )

Course Information

January class: Lunar New Year holiday break from 25th January to 1st February 2009

April class: Easter Holiday break from 9 April to 15 April 2009

Download course information and application form. Download Timetable