Cebu International EFL Conference

Abstract of paper

Author
Elvira S. Balinas, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Angeles University Foundation,
Angeles City, Philippines 2009,
President, Pampanga Chapter of the Philippine Association for Language Teaching, Inc

Title
Teaching Pronunciation: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract
This paper aims to discuss key issues in pronunciation teaching.   According to Malicsi (2005), “the sounds of Filipino English are certainly different from those of international English.”  With globalization becoming a dominant feature of our society, students have to be retooled in their speech towards a neutral accent that is acceptable in international communications.

Pronunciation was greatly downplayed during the rise of communicative language teaching practices but significant shifts have taken place in the last decade. The pendulum indeed has swung back again as most English teachers now agree that explicit pronunciation teaching is an essential part of language courses.  In fact, some universities offer an elective course that aims to improve one’s pronunciation in response to the growing demands for call center representatives. A lot of call center industries are being established in our area so universities are trying to design more responsive and more relevant curricula.

While there is little doubt about teacher’s appreciation of the importance of pronunciation instruction, there is even less doubt about learner’s own demand for effective pronunciation teaching: almost all learners rate this as a priority and an area in which they need more guidance (Fraser, 1999).