Spring, 2010
KEAN UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
Union, New Jersey
FOREIGN ACCENT MODIFICATION
Course Number:
CDD 5204
Semester Hours:
1.5
Limitation on Enrollment:
12
Prerequisite:
Permission of Program Coordinator
Required or Elective
Elective
Catalog Description: This is an on-line course that delineates the roles, responsibilities and
techniques used by speech-language-pathologists to increase conversational intelligibility for
non-native speakers of English.
N.B. In order to ensure full class participation, any student with a disabling condition requiring
special accommodations (e.g., interpreters, tape recorders, special adaptive equipment, special
note-taking or test-taking procedures) will be strongly encouraged to contact the professor at the
beginning of the course. For the students' convenience, both the professor’s office hours and
telephone number will be listed on the syllabus.
1
KEAN UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
Union, New Jersey
FOREIGN ACCENT MODIFICATION
I.
Course Objectives: Students will achieve growth toward being informed, dynamic
professionals, as evidenced by demonstration of proficiencies in knowledge,
comprehension, value development and skill application. Upon completion of this
course, students will be able to:
A. demonstrate an understanding of the history and scope of pronunciation teaching. (K)
B. describe the sound system of North American English and how it intersects with other
areas of language. (K, D)
C. identify multicultural issues in speech and language production. (K, S, D)
D. assess the influence of first language on production of Standard American English
(SAE). (K, S, D)
E. develop an intervention plan. (K, S, D)
F. teach production of American English phonemes & consonants. (S)
G. describe and demonstrate strategies for enhancing intelligibility when speaking in social
and formal situations. (S, D)
II.
Course Content
A. History and scope of pronunciation teaching
1. Intuitive-imitative approach
2. Analytic-linguistic approach
3. Grammar translation
4. Reading-based approaches
5. Direct method
6. Naturalistic, communicative approach
B. Production of characteristics of Standard American English contrasted
with other languages
1. Production of American English phonemes and vowels
2. Pitch and intonation patterns
3. Rhythm and prosody
4. Ligatures and consonant clusters at the sentence and
conversational level
2
5. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)
C. Multicultural issues
1. Normal patterns of second language acquisition
2. Speech and language characteristics of various cultures
3. Language use in different cultures
4. Ebonics
5. Scope of practice (ASHA) for speech-language pathologists
D. Assessment
1. Difference vs. disorder
2. Assessment strategies
3. Developing an error inventory
4. Use of formal vs. informal assessment tools
E. Developing intervention plans
1. Setting goals
2. Factors that work to retain accent
a. physical
b. cognitive
c. affective
d. socio-cultural
3. Formal, commercial regimens
4. Use of instrumentation/technology
F. Teaching intervention approaches
1. Listening skills
2. Syntax
a. subject-verb agreement
b. verb tense
c. word order
d. question forms
e. pronoun gender
3. Semantics
a. vocabulary
b. jargon
c. idioms
d. discourse
e. humor
3
G. Teaching the non-native speaker to use SAE in social and formal
Situations
1. Accent and speech intelligibility
2. Pragmatic issues
3. Social language
4. Professional language
5. Non-verbal communication
a. body language
b. facial expression
c. touching
d. eye contact
6. Cultural misrepresentations
III. Methods of Instruction
A. On-line orientation exercises (e.g. pictures & biography posted on Discussion Board)
B. Lectures posted via Power Point, pre-recorded video and web-links
C. Reading assignments in textbooks and attachments or links
D. Weekly discussions on the Discussion Board
E. Personal interaction and feedback via Private Mail feature
F. Collaboration activities done through chatrooms
IV. Methods of Evaluation
A. Critical Thinking Exercises and Exams (K, S, D)
B. Completion of assignments (including quality and accuracy of work) (S, D)
C. Participation in class discussions (K, S, D)
D. Completion of 3-5 minute oral presentations (K, S)
E. Final Exam (K, S, D)
V. Required Text
Menon, M. S. (2007). Foreign accent management. San Diego, CA: Plural.
4
VI. Bibliography
A. Current
Calero, H. H. (2005). The power of non-verbal communication: What you do is more than
what you say. Taking control series. Lansdowne, PA: Silver Lake.
McLeod, S., & Singh, S. (2008). Speech sounds: A pictorial guide to typical and
atypical speech. San Diego, CA: Plural.
Olayinka, J. (2006). Turn your accent into an asset: How to deliver a dynamic speech
even if English is not your first language. Houston, TX: Indigo Riverbanks Books.
Shepard, M. (2005). The art of civilized conversation: A guide to expressing yourself
with style and grace. NY: Broadway Books.
Singh, S., & Singh, K. (2005). Phonetics: Principle and practices. (3rd ed.) San Diego, CA:
Plural.
B. Seminal Works
Blanche, P. (2004). Using dictation to teach pronunciation. Linguagem & Ensino, 7(1), 175-191.
Blumenfeld, R. (2004). Accents: A manual for actors. NY: Proscenium.
Edwards, H,, & Strattman, K. (1996). Accent modification manual: Materials and
activities. San Diego: Singular.
Lanier, R. A., & Davis, J. C. (2004). Living in the U.S.A. (5th ed.). Boston: Intercultural.
Major, R. C. (2001). Foreign accent: The ontogeny and phylogeny of second language
phonology. N.Y.: Routledge.
C. Media & Internet
Cauldwell, R. Streaming speech: Listening and pronunciation for advanced learners of English.
CD-ROM. Harborne, Birmingham: http://www.speechinaction.com
Compton P-ESL. www.standardaccent.com.
Easton, E. L., Teaching Pronunciation Links. http://evaeaston.com/pr/links.html
EduSpeak, SRI International. http://www.speechatsri.com/products/eduspeak.shtml
ESL Rules, LLC. http://www.eslrules.com
5
Gray, H., Pronunciation Links, Ann Arundel Community College. Arnold, MD.
http://www.soundsofenglish.org/links.htm
ISLE (Interactive Spoken Language Education). University of Hamburg.
http://nats-www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~isle/
Lose your accent in 28 days. http://www.languagesuccesspress.com/our_prducts/index.htm
Murphy, J., Internet Sites Related to Phonology and Teaching Second Language Pronunciation.
Department of Applied Linguistics and ESL, Georgia State University.
http://www2.gsu.edu/~esljmm/ss/prolinks.htm
Pronunciation. The English Communication Toolkit. CD-ROM. Wyong, NSW: Pronunciation
Pty Ltd. http://users.zipworld.com.au/~pronunce/
Rochet, B. The Rhythm of French. French Pronunciation Course for English Speakers. CDROM. Scottsdale AZ: Salix Corporation. http://www.amug.org/~a108/rof.html
Sofia Studio. StandardStudio.com
Stern, D.A. Breaking the accent barrier (DVD). Vermont: Dialect Accent Specialists.
Speech Recognition in Educational Applications. SRI International.
ftp://ftp.speech.sri.com/pub/brochures/LangEdBroch2.pdf
Stern, D.A. The sound and style of American English: A self-instructional course teaching the
Standard American accent to speakers of all other first language. (CD, 3rd ed.). Vermont:
Dialect Accent Specialists.
Tell Me More. CD-ROM. Auralog. http://www.tellmemore.com/
TESOL Speech and Pronunciation Interest Section.
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jlevis/SPRIS/articles.html
Voice Interactive Language Instruction and Evaluation, SRI International.
http://www-speech.sri.com/projects/language_instruction.html
Webgrader2, SRI International.
http://www-speech.sri.com/people/julia/webgrader2.html.
Westwood, V., & Kaufman, H.. Connected speech. CD-ROM. Hurstbridge, VIC: Protea
Textware Pty Ltd. http://www.proteatextware.com.au/shopexd.asp?id=103&bc=yes
6