Phonics and phonology
Phonics used with children and adult literacy to show how words are written (using
digraphs, etc, like sh, ch). But this doesn’t work for foreigners as the sounds in their
languages and the representation is different. It is not a tool therefore for teaching
pronunciation.
Phonology is the study of the 20 vowel sounds and the 26 consonants in English and
how they pattern. Most people think there are only 5 vowels, but these are only the
graphic symbols (graphemes). For example, the letter “U” actually represents 4
vowels that I can think of at the minute (there are probably more).
Put, Putt, Uncomfortable, University
So, ESOL tutors need to be aware of the 20 vowels sounds and 26 consonants. If they
aren’t and don’t teach them, then foreigners will say things like
‘Thees’ man for ‘This’ man, because they associate the “I” in this with the “I” in their
own language which is not the same vowel.
Phonics: a method of teaching reading and writing
Phonetics: mainly, the study of the vocal tract and all the sound the vocal tract can
make
Phonology: the study of a particular language, the awareness of which is essential
for tutors for the teaching of pronunciation
Note: there are two sections to phonology (segmental that is the study of
phonemes, the individual sounds, and suprasegmental is the study of intonation,
pitch, rhythm … all of which are subjective), So with ESOL tutors you would be aiming
mostly at making them aware of phonemes and perhaps a little bit of intonation
thrown in