Sound Concepts

Students learning English often think that native speakers speak too fast. But speed is not the problem - it's the linking between sounds. "Sound Concepts" makes transparent to both teachers and students what the main problems in pronunciation are and how to solve them. Students are systematically introduced to the predictable sources of speech signal distortion and the regular patterns of English stress, intonation, and timing, which are essential to communicative competence. This course comprehensively addresses all aspects of pronunciation, dividing instruction into four main parts: Sound Concepts: the communicated content: what is said, taking into account linked, reduced, deleted, and altered sounds. Rhythm & Music: the communicative intent: what is meant, as conveyed by syllable structure, stress, intonation, timing, and pauses. Grammar Sounds: regular verb and noun endings; and Consonant and Vowel Sounds. This set of audiocassettes is designed to accompany the Sound Concepts student book.