The importance of schwa
With Module 1 complete and my assignments handed in, (hurrah!) it’s time to get stuck into the next unit.
Dealing with each of the language skills in turn it kicks off with Speaking.
Studying the sounds of English means I must get acquainted with the International Phonetic Alphabet. Only having ever glanced at the phonetics in the dictionary I’ve never really figured it out before and did not envisage teaching it to students, but I’ll try and keep an open mind.
To be honest it’s not as intimidating at it first seems so I might use it in the classroom. We’ll see. Although even if I’m not going to teach the phonetic alphabet in full, apparently I should be prepared to use the schwa symbol.
This upside down ‘e’ is the most common sound in English and is closely connected to word stress. Represented by any of the vowels, the unstressed syllable in a word becomes schwa in speech.
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February 2nd, 2007 at 3:05 pm
I remember learning the phonetic chart on my course… and then promptly forgetting it within a few weeks! I have to admit though, there are times in my teaching in the last few years when I really wish I hadn’t forgotten it. It can be very useful, especially with a group of beginners, to get this in to their heads from the word go, and I’ve seen other teachers do this effectively.
By the time the students get to intermediate level or beyond, though, if they haven’t already got it, it’s too late. And most of my classes in the last few years have been internediate level and above!!
Long live the schwa!