Stories and Symbols – Teaching Pronunciation by Stephen Cloak
Channel: ELT Ireland
Date: 2015-10-29

ELT classrooms are often decorated with a Phonetic Chart with is hardly ever used.  For some students its symbols can be confusing and scary.  They have no value because they don’t hold any meaning for them.  Sadly phonetic symbols are something which is relegated to the back of textbooks. How can this tool be introduced to students?  This talk will be reviewing a number of stories that can be used to help students invest meaning in the phonetic chart.  These stories make the phonetic chart comprehensible and memorable.  Often people remember stories much better than complex theories.    
- Stephen has taught in Brazil Madrid and Ireland.  He is currently working as a centre head in SEDA College an ACELS & EAQUALS accredited Language College.  He will complete a MA in Education this summer at Griffith College Dublin. Stephen has extensive Business English experience and has taught at multinational companies. These classes were enriched with his business knowledge as he has a  Msc in Strategic Management and a BA in HRM.