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Pronouncing "th"

 
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inverse_narcissus



Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Location: Masan / the pub

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:15 pm    Post subject: Pronouncing "th" Reply with quote

Hi all,
Would anybody have tips for teaching the above? I've already put a few ideas into my lesson plan (e.g., playing the Red Pill scene from the Matrix to familiarise SS with the soft and hard pronunciations) but a couple more wouldn't go astray, if you're willing.

Thanks in advance,
i_n
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cbclark4



Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Location: Masan

PostPosted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave Deubals <sp> website has a game called the fly swatter game.

I found it useful for pronunciation.
Use minimal pairs.

Also the numbers thirty, thirteen and thirty three are a blast to play with.

Making a mess with spittle is kinda fun.
Take a towel to class.
Exaggerate your tongue and teeth movements.
Wipe your mouth every so often.
The kids get a kick out of it.

Some of the kids have an inhibition about the teeth and tongue they will cover their mouths with theirs hands.
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hossenfeffer



Joined: 07 Oct 2006

PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A useful way to teach the "th" sound is to have the kids put their pointer finder over their nose and lips. Then, have them make their tongue touch their finger when they are pronouncing "the, this, that, etc."

Works like charm for me.

Hoss
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jkelly80



Joined: 13 Jun 2007
Location: you boys like mexico?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hossenfeffer wrote:
A useful way to teach the "th" sound is to have the kids put their pointer finder over their nose and lips. Then, have them make their tongue touch their finger when they are pronouncing "the, this, that, etc."

Works like charm for me.

Hoss


You my friend are a genius. I used that technique yesterday for a life-long Korean ELL and she got it after about 2 minutes. Kudos
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spliff



Joined: 19 Jan 2004
Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

cbclark4 wrote:
Dave Deubals <sp> website has a game called the fly swatter game.

I found it useful for pronunciation.
Use minimal pairs.

Also the numbers thirty, thirteen and thirty three are a blast to play with.

Making a mess with spittle is kinda fun.
Take a towel to class.
Exaggerate your tongue and teeth movements.
Wipe your mouth every so often.
The kids get a kick out of it.

Some of the kids have an inhibition about the teeth and tongue they will cover their mouths with theirs hands.


Would it be a good idea to wear a clown suit as well?
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Alyallen



Joined: 29 Mar 2004
Location: The 4th Greatest Place on Earth = Jeonju!!!

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't know if I can explain this very well but here goes!

My cot-teacher takes his hand and makes a "c" shape that represents the mouth.

He then takes his other hand and uses that to represent the tongue. He then models the tongue movement necessary for the "th" sound with his hands. My students sometimes stick their tongues out first while trying to make the "th" sound. This gives them the visual representation of how it should work.

I hope that made sense and good luck!
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moosehead



Joined: 05 May 2007

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i learned this from my son's speech therapist years ago - it works very well

basically the "th" sound is made when we push our tongue between our teeth;

i open my mouth very wide and make sure everyone is paying attention

then i show them my tongue, very slowly i make an exaggerated "bite" on my tongue showing my teeth

you have to use your facial muscles as much as possible to pull back your lips so your teeth really show

while doing this of course i make the "th" sound

of course the students laugh at first, or look shocked, etc. just disregard and keep doing it a few times.

at least ONE student will be quick enough to try it and as soon as you see them - reinforce it immediately, help them do it and praise them profusely for succeeding or just trying

that will set the pace for the other students, they will be willing to try, be serious about this and insist everyone tries.

if you stumble on a few who refuse, make a point of showing how everyone else did it and don't be afraid to keep showing them several times

as above, use as many "th" words as you can to facilitate it

i've never used a towel or had a need for one. the students catch on pretty fast tho some who've been mispronouncing it for a while will find it most difficult, maybe impossible.

if a student tries and doesn't seem to be able to do it, praise them profusely for trying and encourage them to practice in front of a mirror.

btw, you deserve praise for asking about this - many teachers could care less about pronounciation, so good for you to make the effort!

moosehead
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gteacher



Joined: 24 May 2007
Location: Ghost in the machine

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hossenfeffer wrote:
A useful way to teach the "th" sound is to have the kids put their pointer finder over their nose and lips. Then, have them make their tongue touch their finger when they are pronouncing "the, this, that, etc."

Works like charm for me.

Hoss


I often do this but replace the finger with a chuppa chupp (sp?) motivates them to stick their tongues out.
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meangradin



Joined: 10 Mar 2006

PostPosted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 5:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

make sure you also teach them the related "dth" sound
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