Lauren CO #5

 Speaking Class Group 3 (High Intermediate), Professor Olivia James

Date/Time: July 2nd, 1-1:50pm

Class Summary: 

    Ms. James started class by introducing the guests to her class. There were 3 guests in the class, so we each introduced ourselves to the students. Since they have been working to improve their pronunciation, another English language learner sat in on class to assist, part of an "Each one, Teach one" teaching philosophy. 

    The professor highlighted how pronunciation can feel like an identity and can be a blocker to communicating a message with another English speaker. She emphasized that pronunciation is a skill that needs to be coached, not academic content. 

    A student gave a presentation on "Lucid Dreams", practicing his speaking, pronunciation, and presenting skills in front of the class. After the presentation, Ms. James introduced a book about the Great Wall of China. She distributed packets that contained text from the book. As she read aloud, the students circled the words she emphasized, and marked where the natural pauses in her speech were. She had described that English is a "musical" language to her students, and that native speakers put stress on certain words and pause in between words to make their speech flow naturally. 

Lessons I've Learned about Teaching: 

    Pronunciation is personal, and when correcting it, it may feel like a personal attack. Therefore, coaching pronunciation like a skill is important. Students will feel more empowered in their speech if they are understood by native speakers. The goal is not for students to have an American accent, but instead, to communicate without pronunciation errors obscuring their message. 

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