Invited Talks

The Ripples of Rhythm: Implications for ESL Instruction

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Abstract

The work of Brazil, Coulthard, & Johns (1980), Bolinger (1986), Cauldwell (2002), Wells (2006), and others has led to a growing consensus about spontaneous English phrases: Their rhythm consists predominantly of only one pitch accent (nucleus) or two pitch accents (onset and nucleus) that alternate with unaccented syllables. If we accept these findings, then our pronunciation teaching will differ from our traditional TESOL approach that has been so profoundly shaped by Prator’s (1951) version of stress timing. This paper explores the implications of this radically different model of rhythm for the content and presentation of ESL/EFL pronunciation instruction.

How to Cite:

Dickerson, W. B., (2018) “The Ripples of Rhythm: Implications for ESL Instruction”, Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings 10(1).