Speaking Fluently is a 12-hour concentrated course that focuses on the mechanics of connected speech. The course explores eight inter-related elements that form the foundation of connected speech and which together comprise the rhythm of spoken English: 1) word stress, 2) vowel reductions and the schwa, 3) linking, 4) contractions, 5) strong and weak forms, 6) sentence stress, 7) intonation and pitch changes, and 8) thought groups and pausing for effect. Speaking Fluently offers learners group and individual practice in a relaxed and encouraging atmosphere.

 

Speaking Fluently will provide you with the theory and practice you need to accurately reproduce the key elements of English connected speech. By the end of this short course you will be able to:

 

• understand how words are comprised of syllables and accurately reproduce stressed syllables;
• know when and how to pronounce final ‘ed’ and ‘es’ endings as separate syllables;
• recognize and use word stress employing pitch change, syllable length and vowel quality to establish the rhythm of spoken English;
• understand and demonstrate how stress and rhythm affect speech, resulting in contracted syllables, reduced vowels and linking between words;
• identify and accurately reproduce the weak and strong forms of words;
• identify and use stress and rhythm when speaking in English to create a more natural sound;
• emphasize words or phrases in order to focus attention, make a contrast, emphasize something, or add new information;
• recognize and produce pitch changes in English and understand how they are used to ask questions, give commands and make exclamations;
• use intonation and sentence stress in order to send clearer messages and communicate more effectively when speaking in English; and
• identify ‘thought groups’ and use pause and stress for effect when speaking in English.

Code(s)	SFL-001
Date(s)	30 Sept, 5, 7 & 12 Oct 2021
Time	4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Venue(s)	Room 3006 (Lift 2)
Facilitator(s)	Benjamin Leung
Duration	12 hours
Maximum Number of Participants	18
Fee	$500 (refundable)
Registration Dates	7 - 12 Sept 2021
Enquiry	If you have any questions, please contact us at: Telephone:(852) 2358-7851 Office: Room 3018 (Lifts 2 & 3)
Remarks	As a pre-requisite we highly recommended that participants complete Speaking Clearly: Improve Your Pronunciation, or have mastered the accurate reproduction of English vowels, consonants and clusters, before registering for Speaking Fluently. Only online payment (i.e. Visa/Master cards) will be accepted. Application will be considered only after online payment is completed. Your application becomes invalid if online payment is unsuccessful, and you will have to re-apply before the deadline.

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