Pronunciation TargetsPronunciation Targets

Target 1 Word StressTarget 1 Word StressEnglish speech can be hard to

understand if you stress, or emphasize the wrong syllable in a word.

COMmunication vs. communiCAtion

Target 2 Thought GroupsTarget 2 Thought GroupsThese divide longer sentences into

phrases. Each phrase or thought group has its own melody, one strongly stressed word, and a slight pause at the end.

“Tracy,” said the teacher, “was late”. Vs.

Tracy said, “the teacher was late.”

Target 3 Focus WordsTarget 3 Focus WordsThe stressed word in a thought

group is the focus word.

Jane’s birthday is July 28th.

I thought is was July 30th.I thought Marie’s birthday was

the 28th.

Target 4 Final Sounds and Target 4 Final Sounds and LinkingLinkingSpeech can be hard to understand

when final sounds or syllables are missing.

Ex. My ______ is broken. Buy or Bike

Small words such as “the” link or connect words in a thought group together so that your speech flows smoothly. Don’t forget them.

Target 5 Speech Rhythm: Target 5 Speech Rhythm: Sentence Stress and Sentence Stress and UnstressUnstressMake your speech easier to

understand by exaggerating the contrast between stressed and unstressed words. Stress the words that contain most of the meaning-the content words, such as nouns and verbs.

I FOUND a DOLlar in my POCKet.

Target 6 IntonationTarget 6 IntonationUse intonation or speech melody

to organize your speech.

Did you find her?

Target 7 Consonant Target 7 Consonant SoundsSoundsTarget pairs of sounds you find

challenging.Ex. f and v, r and l.

Target 8 Vowel SoundsTarget 8 Vowel SoundsThe most important about

pronouncing vowels is to emphasize the stressed ones.

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