Transcript Body movement and drama in language teaching: Techniques

Body Movement and Drama in
Language Teaching: Techniques
for Teaching Stress and
Intonation
©
Marsha Chan
Clapping
Syllables
Rhythm
Use your hands to clap out the syllables
and rhythm
ánt cár-ry éx-er-cise fór-tu-nate-ly re-frí-ge-ra-tor
fóod ca-réer en-gi-néer for-tú-i-tous re-fri-ge-rá-tion
Marsha Chan
Clapping without words
Beats
Rhythm
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Marsha Chan
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Open and Closed Hand
Open hand = Stressed syllable: strong,
clear, long, high
Closed hand = Unstressed syllable:
weak, reduced, short, low
* Stress
* Rhythm
* Vowel length * Intonation
Marsha Chan
Use one hand to point out the
stressed syllables:
abSORBED inteRACT inteRACtion
BRIDGes
voCABulary
speCIFic comMUnicate communiCAtion
Try using your nondominant hand to signal
the stressed syllable.
Marsha Chan
 Stretch a wide rubber band between thumbs or
fingers on two hands to demonstrate the vowel length
distinction in pairs of words like the following.
 Vocalize the vowel longer when the vowel is followed
by a voiced consonant than when it is followed by a
voiceless consonant.
seat s-ee-d
pick p-i-g
ice ey-e-s kit k-i-d
cap c-a-b leaf l- ea-ve
Marsha Chan
la-L A-la-la
Sing the intonation and rhythm of a
word or phrase to isolate these
elements from the pronunciation of the
consonants and vowels.
SUpermarket = L A-la-la-la
speCIFic = la-L A-la
engiNEERing = la-la-L A-la
Marsha Chan
Integrate Clapping, Open &
Closed Hand, Vowel Stretch
I was busy.
I was too busy dancing.
I was too busy dancing and singing.
beautiful day
 on a beautiful sunny day
 on a beautiful sunny winter day
 on a
Marsha Chan
The Stress Stretch
TM
Stand up on a stressed syllable:
clear, long, high
Sit down on an unstressed syllable:
weak, short, low
* Stress
* Rhythm
* Intonation
* Vowel length
Marsha Chan
The Stress Stretch helps
learners
associate stress with vowel length, clarity
and pitch
internalize these suprasegmental features
into body memory
activate and link kinesthetic, tactile, visual
and auditory learning modalities
pronounce polysyllabic words with proper
stress and intonation.
Marsha Chan
The Stress Stretch is particularly
effective
for learners who have a difficult time hearing
stress and intonation
for learners who do not apply what they
“know” to their speech
Marsha Chan
Use the Stress Stretch for
polysyllabic words
sentences
dialogs
paragraphs
Marsha Chan
Watch the videotape
Coaching an
individual student
Community college
class
Choral
Pairs - “Twins”
Corporate class
“Triplets”
Marsha Chan
Do the Twin Stress Stretch
Try it
with a
partner!
Marsha Chan
Stress Stretch practice words
for teachers
activate
tactile
visual
kinesthetic
clarity
internaliz mo dalities
e
associate
association
syllable
pronounce pronunciation segment
Marsha Chan
auditory
polysyllabic
suprasegmental
The Eyes Have it!
When learners have become sensitized
to stress, vowel length, intonation and
rhythm, have them open their eyes wide
on stressed syllables.
Marsha Chan
When and Where Should I Use
These Techniques?
Pronunciation accent modification class
Listening - speaking class
Grammar - writing class
Reading - vocabulary class
Regular classroom; language lab
With one or many students
Whenever you want to dramatize suprasegmental features
that students haven't heard or applied to their speech.
Actively, as lessons in themselves (students learn to do the actions)
Passively, as supplemental to other language features
(students learn to recognize the actions)
Marsha Chan
How can I Learn More about
These Techniques?
Sunburst Media has videotapes to teach you
and your students. Visit the web at
http://www.sunburstmedia.com




Phrase by Phrase Pronunciation and Listening in American English
Using your Hands to Teach Pronunciation
Pronunciation Workout
The Stress Stretch and Other Teaching Techniques
 Email: [email protected]
 Telephone: (408) 245-8514
Marsha Chan
About the Presenter, Marsha Chan
 Teaches in the English as a Second Language Department at Mission
College in Santa Clara, California
 Presents frequently at professional conferences and conducts staff
development workshops in education and industry
 Is the author of book and videotapes that provide audio, visual, and
kinesthetic input for learning essential elements of pronunciation.
 Provides Internet based learning and phone coaching to clients of Sunburst
Media on their written and spoken English
 Welcomes comments and suggestions
[email protected]
Marsha Chan