PRONOUNCING AMERICAN ENGLISH
(ESL 104 01 CRN: 40658)
4:35-6:20 Thursday -- CIT 02
ESL Program – Fall 2012

Instructor: Shelwyn Corrigan
Office hours: Thursdays 11:40-3:00 (Location: CIT 01)
Phone: (415) 422-6243
Email: shelwyn_pronunciation@yahoo.com
Alternate email: shelwyn@shelwyn.com

Required texts: No text is necessary. We will be using online materials. Since you do not have to purchase a text, you are required to buy a USB headset. You must have this by the third week of class.

Course Description: This class will help you improve your English pronunciation. We will work on strategies to raise awareness of American English stress, rhythm and intonation. In addition, we will study individual vowel and consonant sounds. The class activities will include dialogues, pronunciation drills, pair and small group practice. You should plan to practice pronunciation on your own time because two hours a week is not sufficient to improve pronunciation. You are encouraged to observe native speakers and try to implement what you learn in class.

When you finish this class, you will understand syllable and sentence stress, a variety of phonetic distinctions, and you should notice improvement in your overall pronunciation. At the end of the semester, you will have a better understanding of the sounds and rhythms patterns of English.

Sound Advice: Another way to raise awareness of American pronunciation is to rent American movies and practice the art of imitation in the same way an actor would when preparing for a performance. In a very real way, you are acting in your own international scenario. As your teacher and acting coach, I can help you understand the role you must play when interacting with English speakers.

Grades will be based on:
In class and homework assignments (50%)
Mid-term and final exams (50%)

All major assignments must be completed in order to pass this course. It is university policy that students receiving a grade of C- or lower will not be permitted to proceed to the next level.

Grading Scale:

A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F

Excellent
Above Average Performance
Very Good
Good
Acceptable Work
Just Above Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Just Performing
Just Above Poor Performance
Poor Performance
Almost Failing
Failing

Attendance Policy:

  • You are expected to attend all classes.

  • Poor attendance can lower your grade significantly.

  • Your grade is affected by absences because you will not be able to complete in-class assignments and tests. The completion of these in-class assignments weigh heavily on your grade.

  • More than 20% absences will result in a failing grade.

  • If you must be absent for legitimate reasons, please speak to me as soon as possible.

  • Exception: When representing the University of San Francisco in intercollegiate competition (e.g., athletics, debate), students shall be excused from classes on the hours or days such competition takes them away from classes. However, such students shall be responsible for advising their professors regarding anticipated absences and for arranging to complete course work for classes, laboratories, and/or examinations missed.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Week 1 (8/23)
Introduction to the class structure
Introduction to Audacity
Assessment recording
Introduction to Plaza Suite, Act III

Week 2 (8/30)
/I/ & /iy/
Segment sound, words, sentences
Pair dictation
Introduction to the bubbles for syllable stress
Dialogues and the art of imitation -- Plaza Suite #1
Cloze listening exercise

Week 3 (9/6)
Listening discrimination quiz (/I/ & /iy/)
Record Plaza Suite #1
/nut/ & /knot/
/nut/, /knot/ & /net/
Segment sound, words, sentences

Friday, February 10: Census Date (last day to drop classes with a refund)

Week 4 (9/13)
Listening discrimination (/nut/ & /knot/)
/l/ & /r/
Segment sound, words, sentences
Pair dictation
Bubbles #2 for syllable stress
Plaza Suite #2
Actor's exercise
Cloze listening exercise

Week 5 (9/20)
Record Plaza Suite#2
/th/
Segment sound, words, sentences
Pair dictation
Bubbles #3 for syllable stress
Accent training

Week 6 (9/27)
Review & preparation for the midterm
Stress -- syllable count
Stress -- same or different
Stress -- Which syllable is stressed?
Listening discrimination -- segments (minimal pairs)
Dictation

Week 7 (10/4)
MIDTERM

Week 8 (10/11)
Plaza Suite #3
Word endings /s/, /z/ & /Iz/
Bubbles #1 for sentence stress
Cloze listening exercise

Week 9 (10/18)
Record Plaza Suite #3
Pronouncing final consonants
Word endings /t/, /d/ & /Id/
Bubbles #2 for sentence stress
Reduced sounds

Week 10 (10/25)
Plaza Suite #4
Bubbles #3 for sentence stress
Difficult consonants /wu/, /p/ & /b/
Segment sound, words, sentences
Reduced sounds

Week 11 (11/1)
Record Plaza Suite #4
Linking & Blending
Difficult vowels & Consonant Review
Plaza Suite practice workshop
Cloze listening exercise

Week 12 (11/8)
Plaza Suite #5
Linking & Blending
Pronouncing word endings (final consonants)
Cloze listening exercise

Week 13 (11/15)
Record Plaza Suite #5
Review & preparation for final exam

Week 14 (11/22)
THANKSGIVING

Week 15 (11/29 last day of class)
FINAL EXAM

Please speak to me if you have any questions; I look forward to working with you this semester. I think we will have a great semester together.

Time Management and Planning: Students are expected to spend a minimum of 2 hours outside of class in study and preparation of assignments for each hour in class. In a 4 unit class, assignments have been created with the expectation that students will engage in approximately 8 hours of out-of-class work per week; in a 2 unit class, students should expect to spend approximately 4 hours per week outside of class in study and preparation.

USF Honor Code: As a Jesuit institution committed to cura personalis- the care and education
of the whole person- USF has an obligation to embody and foster the values of honesty and
integrity. USF upholds the standards of honesty and integrity from all members of the academic
community. All students are expected to know and adhere to the University’s Honor Code.  You
can find the full text of the code online at www.usfca.edu/fogcutter.

Academic Integrity:  There is an extensive discussion of USF’s Academic Honesty Policy in the Fogcutter; available online. All students should be familiar with that section.  As it particularly pertains to the Program in Rhetoric and Composition, the policy covers:

  • Plagiarism—intentionally or unintentionally representing the words or ideas of another person as your own; failure to properly cite references; manufacturing references
  • Working with another person when independent work is required
  • Submission of the same paper in more than one course without the specific permission of each instructor
  • Submitting a paper written by another person or obtained from the internet.

 

The penalties for violation of the policy may include a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in the course, and/or a referral to the Dean and the Committee on Student Academic Honesty. In addition, a letter will be sent to the Associate Dean for Student Academic Services; the letter will remain in your file for two years after you graduate, after which you may petition for its removal.

Students with Disabilities:  If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Student Disability Services, (SDS) 422-6876 as early as possible in the semester.

Writing Center/Speaking Center: The Writing Center is located in Cowell Hall, Room 227. The Center is staffed with faculty Writing Consultants who work with students to help them improve their writing skills. They provide feedback on the drafts that students bring to review, and they can tailor a program of instruction to meet individual needs. Students are encouraged to come to the Writing Center if they would like to build their self-confidence, discover strategies of invention to overcome writer’s block, learn how to revise their work, develop editing and proofreading skills, and understand and apply the conventions of standard written English. Please call (415) 422-6715 for an appointment.  
There is also a Speaking Center (limited hours at the present time) for assistance with oral presentations in any class, including Public Speaking and Oral Skills.  Contact the Rhetoric and Language Office for information about hours of operation and location.