Course Syllabus: Pronunciation
Instructor: Norah AlFayez
Semester 362, Spring 2016
Section #491: MON 08-09:40, WED 08-08:50
Section #296: MON 12-01:40, TUE 12-12:50
Instructor’s Website: http://faculty.mu.edu.sa/nalfayez/
Email (best way to reach me): n.alfayez@mu.edu.sa
Office Phone: 016 404 5924
Office Address: Majmaah University, College of Education – Majma’ah Ladies
Campus, Building D, 3rd Floor – Room No. 041-03-D01
Office Hours: SUN 12-12:50 || WED 10-10:50 || WED 12-12:50
Required Textbooks (available in AlBuraik Bookstore)
English Pronunciation in Use- Intermediate (with CD-audio and CD-ROM), Mark
Hancock, and Sylvie Donna. 2007 Cambridge University Press.
Course Description
This course is the first of a series of three courses in the department that are
prescribed for the study and practice of English sounds (the other two being: ENG
322 & ENG 314). As such, it assumes no previous background in Phonetics and
Linguistics, and aims primarily at training students to both pronounce and understand
English pronunciation effectively and intelligibly.
Core topics will include: the pronunciation of English vowels, diphthongs,
consonants, syllable, stress and intonation. The use of both paper and electronic
dictionaries to know the pronunciation of English words will be practiced (including
of course phonetic transcription).
Although the bulk of the course will be about practical pronunciation, a small module
(section) that introduces some basic theoretical phonetic terms and concepts will also
be included, but again with a practical orientation towards these concepts/terms
(definition of phonetics, its three major categories, organs of speech, description of
English vowels/diphthongs and consonants, but not descriptions of supra-segmental).
Students will not be trained on RP (Received Pronunciation) alone, but will also be
trained to understand a wide range of English accents (native/non-native) (including
the New Englishes accents). Drawing on the growing tendency in modern EFL
education to incorporate New Englishes as well as RP (see Jenkins, 2000(1st edition).
Jenkins argues strongly for a model of English phonology (what she calls "Lingua
Franca Core") that caters for/accommodates nonnative-nonnative communication,
based on" International Intelligibility", as English is now a 'Global Language' (rather
than just the limited RP).
Grade Breakdown
15% First Midterm Examination
15% Second Midterm Examination
5% Student’s participation, quizzes and assignments.
5% Presentation Task
60% Final Examination
Important Dates
MON 20th of Jumada I= First Midterm Examination
MON 4th of Rajab = Second Midterm Examination
Attendance
As many of our sessions will take place in class, class attendance is a
requirement! University attendance rules apply. When a student is absent, an
acceptable excuse should be provided to the instructor within one week of the
day of the lecture, otherwise it will be considered as an excuseless absence. A
student who reaches 25% will be automatically denied to take the final
examination
Part of your grade includes taking part in class activities and contributing to
group discussion. Please recognize that it take courage to speak up in front of a
large group and treat your fellow students with respect. This includes not
dominating conversation or interrupting others. This means that classmates of
different races, class backgrounds, political or religious affiliations, ages and
abilities should be treated with respect, as should those topics in any of the
literature we encounter. I am also subject to these rules. If you are ever
concerned, confused, or offended by anything I say or do in class, please let me
know.
Presentation Task
You are responsible for giving one 15-20 minute presentation with a group of 3
other students. In this presentation, you are going to perform a task that the
instructor will assign to you. Your presentation must include class involvement
and some sort of visual aid and handouts. Each group is responsible of handing a
paper of at least 3 pages on the subject matter they are discussing in their
presentation. Be as creative as possible. Sign up with me ahead of time. Your
group must come to my office hours before you present to go over your plan.
Notice to Students With Disabilities
If you are a student with a documented disability and would like to discuss
special accommodations, please contact me (during office hours, after class, in
whatever way would be best for you to talk with me privately).
Feedback
Make use of my office hours! I am here to alleviate confusion and to help you
become better speakers. Feel free to contact me by email if you want to set up an
extra meeting time. In addition, I am aware that college life is complicated and
that it involves a lot more than your course work. If you or someone you know is
experiencing difficulties, PLEASE SEEK HELP. There are people out there to help
you through these problems. Ask me whom to contact if you have concerns about
sexual assault, eating disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, depression, or anything
else that might be preventing you and your peers from thriving both as
individuals and as students. Assault, abuse and harassment are never acceptable
and should always be reported. I am not a counselor, but I can point you to
resources.