Korean Job Discussion Forums

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

does anyone know a good drill for adults with serious pronunciation problems specifically for "f" "w" and "v" sounds? i've tried everything i can think of, but this guys just isn't getting any better, but everyone else in the class is. it's annoying for me and i'm it's annoying for him too.

Wrench · Joined: 07 Apr 2005

You have to venture into the world of linguistics. Your going to have to teach the basic mouth, teeth, and tongue movements inorder to accomplish what you want. I had to learn english I had an excelent esl teacher she taught me the basic mouth formations.

d503 · Joined: 16 Oct 2004 Location: Daecheong, Seoul

Just curious, how does he pronounce his w?

Also another way is to make note of it and correct it everytime he does it. It can be tedious but it works.

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

Depending on the mood of the class (helpful toward each other or competetive?) you could either do this in class or work with the one guy individually. Bring in a mirror (mid-sized hand-held). Stand behind the person and point the mirror so the student can see both of you. Show him how the "f" and "v" should look. Have him practice in the mirror until he can copy you. ("Fever" is a good word to practice both sounds.)

You can do the same with "w", but I find that telling students that the "w" sound is like kissing (gets a lot of laughs) works pretty well. You must MOVE your mouth and not just say "oo".

mj roach · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

PBP - As there is no lip movement in Korean similar to V, a way to help the student connect to the lower lip....

Try making a V sign with your fingers (as in posing for a photo), then use the fingers to pull the bottom lip outward while saying the word.

If the student uses the upper lip also, as in W, have them place a finger of the other hand on the upper lip to keep it from moving.

After a bit of practice, remove your fingers and show the student that you are able to move your lower lip easily and rapidly.

It's a bit like finding the pathway to wiggle your ears.

paperbag princess · Joined: 07 Mar 2004 Location: veggie hell

those are great suggestions, thanks very much.

he doesn't pronounce his w, that's the weird thing. we were walking becomes ee ere erking; it's totally wierdo.

visviva · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Location: Daegu

That is kind of eird, but it sounds like negative transfer from Korean. The sound that usually used to represent the "w" in Hangeul often takes the form of a rounding of the lips, which changes the sound of the following vo el but has no sound of its own. It appears that your student is just pronouncing his "w" in English the same way he ould pronounce it in Korean -- ith rather unproductive results.

That's a habit he needs to break, but breaking habits isn't easy.