PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY FOR TEACHERS - 2021/2

Module Overview

This one-semester module will provide an overview of how the English sound system works and equip students to analyse how sounds are produced in isolation (segmental) and in connected speech (supra-segmental) and apply this knowledge to their own teaching contexts.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

DAMPIER Wilma (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• The English sound system, both segmental and supra-segmental


• Articulatory organs and their function


• Describing units of speech and  speech sounds


• Phonemic transcription


• Stress, intonation and pitch


• Selecting and using materialsfor the teaching of pronunciation

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• A critical understanding of key principles underlying the teaching of pronunciation in the English language classroom


• their ability to apply theoretical knowledge of phonetics and phonology to a familiar learning and teaching environment

• Evaluation of a sample of teaching materials with reference to relevant literature


• a 2-hour exam consisting of essay questions designed to enable students to  demonstrate critical awareness of relevant theories and literature

• Seminar tasks


• Homework tasks


• Plan and bibliography for assignment

• Group feedback on formative tasks will be provided during the input sessions


• Individual summative feedback will be provided online via SurreyLearn

Module aims

• familiarise students with how the English sound system works
• enable students to acquire advanced knowledge of phonemes and phonemic transcription
• facilitate the acquisition of advanced knowledge of word stress, intonation and connected speech
• allow students to acquire advanced knowledge of the relationship between sounds and spelling in English
• enable students to develop a critical understanding of the methodology for  teaching pronunciation in the language classroom
• provide opportunities for the critical evaluation of existing materials for the teaching of pronunciation.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enable students to acquire in-depth knowledge of theoretical issues in second language teaching and learning through attendance at classes and an exploration of scholarly writing in the field;


• Enable students to deepen explicit knowledge of the linguistic structures, grammar and stylistic registers of English through attending classes, engaging in extensive reading and completing exercises and assignments;


• Encourage student participation and independent learning, through small group classes, reading outside contact hours and participating in seminars;


• Enable students to engage in analytical and evaluative thinking, to analyse and evaluate concepts, theories and practices associated with English language learning and teaching through attending classes, and engaging in independent study.


• Acquire in-depth knowledge of the English sound system and principles underlying the teaching of phonetics and phonology through attendance at classes and an exploration of scholarly writing in the field.

• Two contact hours per week over the semester;


• Classes will include lectures and seminars;


• students are expected to engage in extensive reading of scholarly writing outside classes in order to follow lectures and participate in seminars.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ELAM008

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.