Pronunciation Contrasts in English

Book excerpt: In this vibrant second edition, the authors have drawn from their own multiple years of teaching and from the knowledge and ideas of 50 linguists and ESL teachers who specialize in particular languages. New to this edition is Part I, an entire section on English spelling as a morphophonemic system. Here, Nilsen and Nilsen clearly explain concepts and patterns of English spelling, pronunciation, and meaning to ease the process of learning English for non-native studentsas well as their teachers. In addition, the authors provide sample activities that creatively and effectively engage students in grasping a particular concept, and include illustrative examples that show English is a systemic language. In Part II, the authors provide extensive lists of both vowel and consonant contrasts, each with phonetic diagrams and descriptions, minimal pairs (both isolated and in sentences), and specific languages for which the contrast may be problematic. These valuable examples help students hear and produce pronunciation differences that are important in English and bring their pronunciation closer to that of native English speakers. Both prospective and practicing teachers will appreciate the flexibility and freedom afforded by these well-designed materials.