Listening+6


 * Activity:** Minimal pairs [[image:minimal-pairs.gif width="156" height="84"]]


 * Level:** Secondary

English pronunciation is one of the toughest aspects our students have to face when learning this language. In the same way, it is also difficult to teach. That's why I always try to make it the funniest I can. A useful way to face pronunciation in class is by means of **minimal pairs **. There are plenty of ideas to use minimal pairs in the English class, but my favourite is using __dictations__. There are some good variations to this activity, for example telephone number pronunciation , where numbers on the phone dial are replaced by words. The idea is to dictate a phone number by saying the words instead of the numbers. This activity can be done with the whole class or in pairs. Both ways, students have lots of __#|fun__.
 * Short description:**


 * Objectives:**
 * To practice English pronunciation
 * To practice English spelling
 * To get acquainted with different sounds and their corresponding spelling

Peer correction  has proven to be the most effective way to assess dictations in my class. Students get involved in the whole activity straight away and they are eager to finish writing, take the red pen and correct their mates' mistakes.
 * Assessment:**

= = =Add your comments:=
 * Useful links:**
 * [|Telephone number dictation] **
 * [|Minimal pairs pronunciation]**
 * [|Minimal pairs pronunciation activities and games]**

Interesting Sonia, and you can increase the difficulty as you work with higher levels.
 * M Ascension**


 * Núria**

Cool Sonia!

The older I get, the more time I devote to phonetics, I have used phonetic transcription to read a play in class. It worked fairly well although we devoted only one class hour to this. I used a phonetic converter The play I selected was an adaptation of A Christmas Carol, We did this the last day before the Christmas Holidays []

I plan to do more of this, and to make dictations where they have the phonetic transcription and they have to turn it into written English.

I agree peer correction works with dictations. I usually do dictations one term, irregular verbs another and vocabulary on the third term, as fixed memorising activities.

Thank you, M. Asunción and Núria.

I think that English phonetics is a big challenge for our students and we should do our best to focus more on pronunciation. So, I'll definitely go for the dictation that you have suggested, Núria!! I'm also glad to notice that I'm not alone in giving importance to memorising activities. I use them a lot in my classes, including irregular verbs and vocabulary, too. I believe we shouldn't leave behind traditional resources which have proved to be useful in a language class.

___


 * MARISA**

Teach phonics is a difficult and boring task for our students it is a good and funny way to do it!!!

Glòria

I didn't know a phonetic transcription converter existed :'( (thank you!!!) I don't work phonics at school but every time I listen more and more teachers talking about this. I am not sure who said this but I also think it is good to make students memorize some things like poems, songs, tongue twisters...


 * LLUÍS MIQUEL**

Hi Sònia,