Why Pronunciation Teaching Doesn’t Work

by Adrian Underhill | Jul 27, 2020 | 5. Question & Answer; General Issues | 2 comments

28th July 10.00am and 17.00pm UK time

The Bell Teacher Academy Webinar Series. Ten x 1 hour webinars starting 28 July and throughout August. Given by 8 different speakers

Info and free registration here: https://www.bellenglish.com/bell-teacher-academy-webinar-series

Webinar 1: July 28th Adrian Underhill Pronunciation teaching doesn’t work because for 50 years the approach has been essentially cognitive, which may be fine for learning grammar and vocabulary, but pronunciation is muscular, like a subtle version of learning to dance. And the mastering of such physicality does not lend itself to the written word, or to course books… neither does learning to dance.

I will outline a proprioceptive approach to awareness and the physical skill of making new sounds, and to the distribution of energy across connected speech. All this with a focus on personal expression and speaking from the heart, while taking account of the new reality of online teaching.

2 Comments

Elizabeth Suzuma on July 28, 2020 at 10:13 pm

Hello, I was wondering whether there was a recording of the July 28 Webinar I could listen to? I was so disappointed to have missed it!
- Adrian Underhill on March 9, 2021 at 10:56 am
  
  Dear Elizabeth
  I have just discovered your message on my blog. I’m so sorry not to have found it before.
  I do not have a recording, however Bell said they would record and make available. If you would still like to see this the best thing would be to contact Bell academic director Silvana.Richardson@bellenglish.com.
  
  Best wishes, adrian