Comments on: Lesson 7b – American Slang

By: JenniferESL

JenniferESL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:58 +0000

Interesting …
Interesting question. One source states that the average rate of speech is 100-150 words per minute.

By: JenniferESL

JenniferESL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:57 +0000

(2) Can we process …
(2) Can we process information better at a faster or slower rate? The same source states that we comprehend better when info is compressed (relayed faster) because we have less time to become distracted. However, I think this is only in the case of one’s native lanuage. When one is learning a language, I think it’s ideal to increase the rate of speech (listening and speaking)only as one’s language skills progress. Faster isn’t necessarily better. Clear communication is the goal.

By: JenniferESL

JenniferESL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:57 +0000

New questions arise …
New questions arise:

(1) If one increases the rate of speech, does the chance of making errors increase as well? I’d argue yes.

By: JenniferESL

JenniferESL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:56 +0000

I’d still argue …
I’d still argue that speaking slowly can help language learners speak more clearly. Speaking too fast can challenge the language learner, and sounds can get lost or articulated poorly.

By: JenniferESL

JenniferESL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:56 +0000

My next lessons …
My next lessons will focus on rhythm, stress, and intonation. I’ll look at pausing by using thought groups, phrasal/sentence stress, and basic rising and falling patterns of intonation. These aspects are often downplayed or ignored by dedicated students who mistakenly equate clear speech with clear sounds. As you seem well aware, there’s much more to speaking clearly and smoothly.

By: makkotler

makkotler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:56 +0000

Thank you Jennifer, …
Thank you Jennifer, what a prudent reply. However some times if we speak slowly the liasing between two words can get hampered and we land up with undesired meaning.(Those people who mumble and lack fluency).Can you make a lesson on barriers of communication as far as language issues are concerned? Thanks once again.

By: JenniferESL

JenniferESL — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:53 +0000

I don’t think …
I don’t think there’s a set number of times that is always enough. You can listen to a text multiple times, each time with a different purpose. Usually, though, we ask for general comprehension and detailed comprehension. Beyond this, you can ask students to make inferences, deduce definitions based on context clues, react personally, and also compare and contrast one source with another.

Let me send some links to sites with listening exericses for all levels, all right?

By: HeligaIovceva

HeligaIovceva — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:53 +0000

Hi Jennifer.I am …
Hi Jennifer.I am interested if you have some videos on Listening skills for beginners or elementary level students?As far as I have understood,4 times listening is enough for a text comprehension,with the help of appropriate questions,of course.What are the other rules for developing the listening skills with elementary students?

By: ROFOSO

ROFOSO — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:52 +0000

Jennifer, I’m from …
Jennifer, I’m from Spain and I’m a fifteen-year-old boy. I really love the way you explain everything, and I really like the way you pronounce!I see some people get astounded (I don’t know if that sentence was good at all…) because they see I like English a lot and I speak it very well. That’s beacause my mother’s husband it’s from India and he speaks English! I hope you upload more videos, I’ll sure see them!
Yours, Robert
Barcelona, Spain.

By: yinyongfeng

yinyongfeng — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:51 +0000

the best videos of …
the best videos of teaching english I’ve ever seen. Thanks for your warm heart.
hope to see more and more videos.
from China.