Lesson aim: To analyse and explain phonological features in real spoken English, using key glossary terms.

This exercise is designed to help you develop a deeper understanding of the terms used in the exam. Please note that this is not the type of questions you will see in the test; it is intended to deepen your knowledge and application.

If you have any questions, please ask your tutor.

PHONOLOGY – KEY REVIEW (Before the Task)

To complete this task successfully, students needed to understand the following concepts:

1. Phonemes

Individual sounds that distinguish meaning in a language.
Example: /ɪ/ vs /iː/ in ship vs sheep.

2. Word Stress

The syllable in a word that is pronounced more strongly.
Example: toNIGHT, CIneMA.

3. Sentence Stress

In spoken English, content words are usually stressed:

• nouns
• main verbs
• adjectives
• adverbs

Function words (e.g. to, and, of, a) are typically weak.

4. Weak Forms

Function words are often reduced in connected speech.
Examples:

• to → /tə/
• for → /fə/
• and → /ən/ or /n/

5. Connected Speech

Refers to how sounds change when words are spoken together:

• Linking: sounds connect between words
• Elision: sounds are omitted
• Assimilation: sounds change to become more similar

6. Intonation

The rise and fall of the voice in speech:

• Rising intonation: often used in questions
• Falling intonation: often used in statements

7. Contractions

Shortened forms of auxiliary verbs:

• I am → I’m
• he would → he’d

8. Stress and Meaning

Stress and intonation help express meaning, intention, and attitude.