Phonics--natural pronunciation

[Eileen]

Since I first learned to pronounce a-z alphabets as an elementary student, the teacher of the supplementary school taught us to pronounce them in KK phonetic symbols. From then on, I had been used to pronouncing alphabets according to the KK phonetic symbols. Recently, many experts in Taiwan suggested that teachers should teach their students, first in contact with English, the phonics—natural pronunciation. Honestly speaking, at first I really didn’t agree this point of view. After I taught a group of elementary students in the church, I changed part of my mind. I ever tried to find some materials about how to teach these elementary students learning KK phonetic symbols and I took reference of what the book told me. Nevertheless, these students didn’t seem to absorb them all and after a couple of times, I found another teaching approach as phonics may make learning more interesting and effective. That is, I am supposed to put the pronunciation on an easier way and let talking English more familiar as in a normal life. However, I consider teachers still should teach their students KK phonetic symbols when these younger students are older enough. That is because this pronouncing approach offers a controllable and better remembrance of words. At last, the most significant is that elementary teachers need to take adequate teaching in an adequate age for their students.

[Lorikeet]

Could you please explain what "KK phonetic symbols" are? And what "phonics--natural pronunciation" means? Perhaps there are some special meanings for these in Taiwan?

[lisapopcorn]

Natural pronunciation is better for those native English speakers, but students in Taiwan, especially elementary ones should still learn and even memorize phonetic alphabet. Because we do not have a good learning English surrounding in Taiwan, students still need to pay efforts to learn a foreign language.

[lubelube]

I think that nature pronunciation is better for elementary ones because they can learn words naturally and easily.They do not be forced to memorize phonetic signs. In this way, they can learn happily and naturally.

[cutejamie]

I think i t is easy for the elementary ones to learn kk phonetic symbols, and to recognize it easily when they memorize one new word.

[chohow]

I agree with your point of view, because I never learn the phonic alphabet well when I was just a kid. Learning English with a fun game way would be a good way to attarct children to learn English.

[lisapei]

I think that it is cruel for elementary students to memorize KK phonetic symbols; therefore, I approve natural pronunciation!

[Nathan]

Different people look at different things from different points of view. Neither natural pronuciation nor memorizing KK phonetic symbols is suitable for my learning style. I think we should apply the vocabularies to our daily life instead of memorizing KK phonetic symbols. I have no comments to natural pronuciation since I don't know much about it.

[Eileen]

I am really thankful for Lorikeet's asking for the definite meaning between KK phonetic symbols and phonics. KK phonetic alphabet symbols means students can pronounce alphabets or words according to certain signs; for example, a word "apple" that we would pronounce it by signs. As for phonics, it's called "natural writing" in Taiwan and it means students could pronounce a word or alphabet without using any signs. When students see a word, he or she could pronounce it immediately and he or she knows how to pronouce just by seeing the word. This way of pronunciation called "phonics"(natural pronunciation). I hope this kind of interpretation has given you clearer definition and understanding.

[Fannie]

I agree with Lisapopcorn's point of view. Children in Taiwan do not have the kind of circumstance to learn English naturally. For this reason, KK phonetic symbols may be possible to apply English teaching in the elemantary school.

[Lorikeet]

Thanks for the explanation Eileen. Let's see if I understand it correctly. Does the "natural" way include teaching phonics like teaching a "b" makes a /b/ sound--) if a "b" is in the beginning of a word, the word will start with a "/b/" sound)--without using special symbols? Is the KK way using some sort of symbols? Either IPA symbols like /æ/ or using the line on top of a vowel or the curved line on top of a vowel to show the difference between "can" and "cane" for example?

If the "natural" way includes using phonics without special symbols, then I think it is a good idea. If I still don't understand, please tell me.

[Eileen]

Lorikeet, your description is almost right and this is what some experts try to suggest. Roughly speaking, the phonics aims to make students be familiar with a foreign language naturally and use it into habits. So I think what you describe is supposed to correspond to this point. If you have any more questions, please let me know. I hope I have given you the answer to question.

[couragecode]

I think children should be familiar with forign language in natural way since they are under 7years old, they can learn English chants and songs in relax way in order to inspire their interests!!( My mom is a kindergarten teacher, her students all enjoy in recognizing simple English words or singing songs) Until they build certain confidence upon English, especially they attend elementary school, teacher can teach them KK phonics, thus children won't feel pressure about connecting KK with word prounciations.

[Pronunci]

Since I first learned to pronounce a-z alphabets as an elementary student, the teacher of the supplementary school taught us to pronounce them in KK phonetic symbols. From then on, I had been used to pronouncing alphabets according to the KK phonetic symbols. Recently, many experts in Taiwan suggested that teachers should teach their students, first in contact with English, the phonics—natural pronunciation. Honestly speaking, at first I really didn’t agree this point of view. After I taught a group of elementary students in the church, I changed part of my mind. I ever tried to find some materials about how to teach these elementary students learning KK phonetic symbols and I took reference of what the book told me. Nevertheless, these students didn’t seem to absorb them all and after a couple of times, I found another teaching approach as phonics may make learning more interesting and effective. That is, I am supposed to put the pronunciation on an easier way and let talking English more familiar as in a normal life. However, I consider teachers still should teach their students KK phonetic symbols when these younger students are older enough. That is because this pronouncing approach offers a controllable and better remembrance of words. At last, the most significant is that elementary teachers need to take adequate teaching in an adequate age for their students.

Phonics works for adults as well. I learned phonics after I was 23 years old and I have benefited a lot from it. Therefore, I created a computer program for adults to learn phonics. So far, I have many positive feedback from my customers (adults) telling me that my program has helped them greatly.

Xin
http://www.PronunciationPatterns.com

[kathyfelts]

I feel very strongly that ESL students will benifit greatly from the early introduction of the sound system of English through a well-planned study of phonics. Moreover, students need to learn a variety of songs, rhymes, and other oral material in order to develop phonemic awareness.

KK is widely used in Asia and the result is a generation of students whose pronunciation hinders their use of spoken English. There are a number of factors which come into play when considering the reasons that most Asians - especially males - fail to acquire clear, intelligible English pronunciation. Primary among these is the limited number of phonemes in their working phonological system of English. Some countries - most notably Korea - have already understood this, where a phonics approach has begun to be used extensively right from the beginning.

These are the biggest problems I see with KK

1. The system does not accurately reflect the English sound system.

2. The KK approach does not take into account the correspondence
between letters and sounds.

3. Students who use the KK approach learn to spell by copying words
over again and again, instead of the far more productive application
of spelling pattern which describe about 3/4 of English pronunciation.

4. Students who only know how to us the KK system to decode
pronuncation are not prepositioned to use the standard dictionaries
used by native speakers.

In short, learning English pronunciation using the KK system interferes with the proper development of good reading, listening, spelling and speaking. I know that it is the standard way English is taught in a number of countries and that the textbooks have been written using KK. The investment in terms of materials cost and staff development that have already been expended are enormous. However, I think that the fact that using the system often does not produce clear speakers, outweighs the obvious costs. Rome wasn't built in a day, and ministries of education would do well to spend their money in ways that are the most efficient and effective.

My opinion is based on many years of working with students - especially in Taiwan, China, and Korea. It has been heart-breaking to see so many students hobbled by thier inability to communicate effectively because of poor pronunciation. I absolutely agree with Xin that the best bet for the older generation of speakers is through remediation and extensive study on phonics and the development of phonemic awareness. Although the use of phonics is not the entire answer, I think it offers the most immediate and easily won gains of the various methods currently used to improve oral English.