English for Academic Purposes: Pronunciation of English as an International Language

• demonstrate the ability to read the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet used to represent the sounds of the English language
• distinguish between the different sounds of English vowels and consonants and pronounce them with a degree of accuracy sufficient for intelligibility in an international context
• understand and effectively apply appropriate stress patterns in English words and sentences
• produce continuous speech that is easily understood by proficient speakers of English with different linguistic backgrounds than one‘s own
• demonstrate awareness of variations in English as both a first language and an international language
• describe the process through which linguistic variation occurs
• identify their own problem areas with regard to the pronunciation of English and show an ability to improve their own pronunciation.

The course consists of a study of speech sounds and groups of speech sounds in English. The identification, perception and production of common stress patterns are trained with the help of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Participants are given the opportunity to improve their intelligibility and communicative effectiveness. The role of English as an international language is discussed and the process by which linguistic variation occurs is taken up.
The course consists of several modules:

1. Principles of Pronunciation Study, 1.5 Credits
Students prepare themselves for the study of pronunciation through listening exercises and by learning the symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet. Issues of English as an international language and linguistic variation are taken up through reading and discussing articles.

2. Vowel Sounds, 1.5 Credits
Students focus on recognition and production of the vowel sounds used in English.

3. Consonant Sounds and Consonant Clusters, 1.5 Credits
Students focus on recognition and production of the consonant sounds and consonant clusters used in English.

4. Syllables and Word Stress, 1.5 Credits
Students focus on recognition and production of vowel and consonant sounds in syllables, words and short phrases and the principles of English word stress.

5. Sentence Stress, 1.5 Credits
Students focus on recognition and production of vowel and consonant sounds in context at the sentence level and develop an understanding of how sentence stress affects meaning in English.

Continuous assessment of active seminar participation, sound recordings and written assignments.

Obligatory seminars including group discussion, lectures and self-study. All teaching is conducted in English.

The Swedish grades U–VG.

To earn a VG for the course, the student must earn a VG in module 5 and at least three other modules.

Reporting of grades:
Module 1: Principles of Pronunciation Study - 1.5 cr
Module 2: Vowel Sounds - 1.5 cr
Module 3: Consonant Sounds and Consonant - 1.5 cr
Module 4: Syllables and Word Stress - 1.5 cr
Module 5: Sentence Stress - 1.5 cr