Body Movement and Drama in Language Teaching Techniques

Body Movement and Drama in Language Teaching: Techniques for Teaching Stress and Intonation © Marsha Chan

Clapping z. Syllables z. Rhythm z. Use your hands to clap out the syllables and rhythm Marsha Chan

Clapping without words z. Beats z. Rhythm • z • • • • • • • • Marsha Chan • • • • • •

Open and Closed Hand z. Open hand = Stressed syllable: strong, clear, long, high z. Closed hand = Unstressed syllable: weak, reduced, short, low y* Stress * Rhythm y* Vowel length * Intonation Marsha Chan

Use one hand to point out the stressed syllables: Try using your nondominant hand to signal the stressed syllable. Marsha Chan

z 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. z Vocalize the vowel longer when the vowel is followed by a voiced consonant than when it is followed by a voiceless consonant. Marsha Chan

la-L A-la-la z. Sing the intonation and rhythm of a word or phrase to isolate these elements from the pronunciation of the consonants and vowels. y. SUpermarket = L A-la-la-la yspe. CIFic = la-L A-la yengi. NEERing = la-la-L A-la Marsha Chan

Integrate Clapping, Open & Closed Hand, Vowel Stretch z I was busy. z I was too busy dancing and singing. z on a beautiful day beautiful sunny winter day Marsha Chan

The Stress Stretch TM z. Stand up on a stressed syllable: clear, long, high z. Sit down on an unstressed syllable: weak, short, low y* Stress y* Rhythm * Intonation * Vowel length Marsha Chan

The Stress Stretch helps learners yassociate stress with vowel length, clarity and pitch yinternalize these suprasegmental features into body memory yactivate and link kinesthetic, tactile, visual and auditory learning modalities ypronounce polysyllabic words with proper stress and intonation. Marsha Chan

The Stress Stretch is particularly effective z for learners who have a difficult time hearing stress and intonation z for learners who do not apply what they “know” to their speech Marsha Chan

Use the Stress Stretch for zpolysyllabic words zsentences zdialogs zparagraphs Marsha Chan

Watch the videotape z Coaching an individual student z Community college class y. Choral y. Pairs - “Twins” z Corporate class y“Triplets” Marsha Chan

Do the Twin Stress Stretch Try it with a partner! Marsha Chan

Stress Stretch practice words for teachers Marsha Chan

The Eyes Have it! z. 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? y Pronunciation accent modification class y Listening - speaking class y Grammar - writing class y Reading - vocabulary class y Regular classroom; language lab y With one or many students y Whenever you want to dramatize suprasegmental features that students haven't heard or applied to their speech. y Actively, as lessons in themselves (students learn to do the actions) y Passively, as supplemental to other language features (students learn to recognize the actions) Marsha Chan

How can I Learn More about These Techniques? z Sunburst Media has videotapes to teach you and your students. Visit the web at http: //www. sunburstmedia. com y y Phrase by Phrase Pronunciation and Listening in American English Using your Hands to Teach Pronunciation Workout The Stress Stretch and Other Teaching Techniques z Email: info@sunburstmedia. com z Telephone: (408) 245 -8514 Marsha Chan

About the Presenter, Marsha Chan z Teaches in the English as a Second Language Department at Mission College in Santa Clara, California z Presents frequently at professional conferences and conducts staff development workshops in education and industry z Is the author of book and videotapes that provide audio, visual, and kinesthetic input for learning essential elements of pronunciation. z Provides Internet based learning and phone coaching to clients of Sunburst Media on their written and spoken English z Welcomes comments and suggestions marsha@sunburstmedia. com Marsha Chan