ESL and Phonetics for Vowel Sounds in

American English
Teacher Information: Ms. Dana
Contact information: Contact the teacher via email at dnbehr@gmail.com
I will respond within 24 hours on a weekday and 48 hours on the weekend.
Office Hours: These will take place via Skype, which is a way of meeting
live through video, on Wednesdays and Thursdays, between 2:00 pm and
3:00 pm EST. Please do not drop in via Skype. My Skype name is
(pseudonym) Please be sure to make an appointment with the teacher first,
via email at dnbehr@gmail.com.

Description of Course and Class objectives:

Objectives: The objective of this course is to enable students to be able to:
Recognize International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols for vowels and
diphthongs; identify vowel sounds of American English in an utterance
and/or in a discourse; and, use different vowel sounds of American English
in their expressions.

Course Description: This course has been designed for Beginning-

Intermediate level ESL students. In this course, the International Phonetic
Alphabet (IPA) will be used to represent the vowel sounds that will be
studied in this course. Students will be exploring how to become
comfortable pronouncing vowels. This will be achieved by the students
engaging in a number of learning activities: Students will listen to recorded
lectures and listen to recordings of new phonetic sounds; have the
opportunity to make student recordings of the new phonetic sounds; read
news articles about current events; and, experience a sense of community
through student blogs. Finally, as the learning process progresses, there
will be meetings with the teacher and other students to discuss the new
materials or questions related to it: This last activity will take place in a
Skype meeting space.
Course synopsis including class meetings:
Course teaching and learning methods: The platform is essentially
designed for asynchronous learning and interactions between students;
however, there are periodic face-to-face, synchronous or live (via Skype)
meetings scheduled.

Course schedule: The course schedule has clearly defined meeting times
and due dates please try your best to meet these expectations. Please
keep in mind that the module week begins on a Tuesday and ends on a
Monday.

Module 1: Orientation

Tuesday: First, read the Syllabus; then, fill in the New Student Survey
Form.

Wednesday: Watch Video Lesson 1: Introduction and answer the

questions in the attached Google Form.

Thursday: Required: First Synchronous meeting. 6:00 pm EST

Friday: Respond to the welcome question in The Student Blog Spot.

Sunday: Please offer a response to 2 different peers: Respond to Fridays

contribution.

Module 2:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 2: Front Vowels: Part 1 and answer the
questions in the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 1 and 2, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Read the Vocabulary on Sentence Structures, Listen to Video, and Review

the Lesson by Answering the Questions in the Google Form.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 3, 4, and 5 under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Listen to Audio, Read Brief Outline on Paragraph Writing, and Answer the
Questions in the Google Form.
Friday: Respond to the Blog Post question on Space Station in The
Student Blog Spot and please include your word list.

Sunday: Please offer a response to 2 different peers: Respond to Fridays

contribution.
Module 3:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 3: Front Vowels: Part 2 and answer the
questions in the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 1 and 2, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 3, 4, and 5 under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Friday: Respond to the Blog Post question on the Reef Student Blog Spot
and please include your word list.

Sunday: Your Audacity Audio is due from Listening & Speaking Audios 1,
2, 3, 4, and 5.
Monday: Synchronous meeting for practicing pronunciation. Time: TBA
Module 4:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 4: Back Vowels: Part 1 and answer the
questions in the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 6 and 7, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 8 and 9, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Friday: Respond to the question for the Student Blog Post on Basic
Income in The Student Blog Spot and please include your word list.

Sunday: Please offer a response to 2 different peers: Respond to Fridays

contribution.
 Module 5:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 5: Back Vowels: Part 2 and answer the
questions in the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 6 and 7, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 8 and 9, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Friday: Respond to the question for the Student Blog Post on Dubai Airport
in The Student Blog Spot and please include your word list.

Sunday: Your Audacity Audio is due from Listening & Speaking Audios 6,
7, 8, and 9.

Monday: Synchronous meeting for practicing pronunciation. Time: TBA

Module 6:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 6: Central Vowels: Part 1 and answer the
questions in the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 10, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Read Vocabulary List, Watch the Video on Sentence Grammar, and

Answer the Questions in the Google Form.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 11 and 12, under the Listening &
Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Listen to the brief Audio Recording, Read the Outline on Important Points
to Writing a Paragraph, and Answer the Questions in the Google Form.

Friday: Respond to question for the Student Blog Post on Vogue in the
Student Blog Spot and please include your word list
Sunday: Please offer a response to 2 different peers. Respond to Fridays
contribution.

Module 7:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 7: Central Vowels: Part 2 and answer the
questions in the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 10, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 11 and 12, under the Listening &
Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Friday: Respond to the Student Blog Post question on Heritage Sites in

The Student Blog Spot and please include your word list.

Sunday: Your Audacity Audio is due from Listening & Speaking Audios 10,
11 and 12.

Monday: Synchronous meeting for practicing pronunciation. Time: TBA

Module 8:

Tuesday: Watch Video Lesson 8: Diphthongs and answer the questions in

the attached Google Form.

Wednesday: Listen to Audio Recording 13, under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Thursday: Listen to Audio Recording 14 and 15 under the Listening &

Speaking tab. Practice your responses out loud.

Friday: Respond to the Student Blog Post question on Fairy Tales in The
Student Blog Spot and please include your word list.

Sunday: Your Audacity Audio is due from Listening & Speaking Audios
13, 14, and 15.
Monday: Synchronous meeting for practicing pronunciation.
Assignment Descriptions:
Synchronous Meetings:
Note Regarding Synchronous Meetings: With the exception of the first
Meeting, these are not mandatory but they are highly recommended. If you
are unable to make the first scheduled meeting, we can arrange a time that
is good for you and the teacher; however, this meeting must take place in
the week of Module 1 or Module 2. Please contact the teacher via email if
the currently scheduled mandatory synchronous meeting time will not be
possible for you.
Video Lectures:
Watch the Video Lessons and Answer the Questions in the Attached
Google Forms.

Module 1: Learn Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 1 - Introduction

Module 2: Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 2 Front Vowels, Part 1

Module 3: Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 2 Front Vowels, Part 2

Module 4: Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 3 Back Vowels, Part 1

Module 5: Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 3 Back Vowels, Part 2

Module 6:Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 4Central Vowels, Part

1

Module 7:Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 4Central Vowels, Part

2

Module 8: Pronunciation of English Vowel Sounds 5 - Diphthongs

Audacity Audio Recordings:

After you have become comfortable with the new phonetic symbols, I would
like you to place two of the words from each recording in separate
sentences. Then, I would like you to do a speaking exercise where you
record yourself using the Audacity software. After you have selected the
recordings you are comfortable with, send them as an attach file to my e
mail in MP3 format. You will be graded on making the correct number of
contributions; however, I will not grade you on the pronunciation itself.
Learning how to pronounce sounds properly is a process and I will support
that learning during our synchronous meetings. Refer to the syllabus for
the due dates on submitting the recordings and the synchronous meetings
that follow.

Readings:
Module 1: Mobile News
Module 2: Space Station
Module 3: Coral Reef
Module 4: Basic Income
Module 5: Dubai Airport
Module 6: Vogue Magazine
Module 7: Heritage Sites
Module 8: Fairy Tales

Grammar and Writing:

In week two you will receive a review of both sentence grammar and
paragraph writing, to prepare you with structures that will help you create
clear and well-structured blog post contributions.

Blog Assignments: After doing the readings please do

the following:
Answer the required questions for The Student Blog Post:

Responses to Questions: The student blog post questions are written at

the bottom of the page in each weeks readings. The questions are also
written in the blog space itself and these responses to the questions are
due on Fridays.

Words Containing the Weeks Phonetic Symbols: After you have

answered the question that relates to the reading exercise. Please list four
(4) words from the reading exercise that contain the type of vowels that
were in the lecture and in your listening exercises: They will be the same.
These are also due on Friday.

Responses: Respond to two peers on Sunday.

Vocabulary: Vocabulary contributions from the weeks reading are due on

Sunday.

Late work policies: In general, I expect work to be handed in at the due

date; however, late work may be accommodated if the reason has been
shared with the teacher at dnbehr@gmail.com and the teacher has
approved a late submission for another specified date.

Where to go for help:

Technology: A page has been provided with the tutorial resources that you
will need for this course. One synchronous meeting will also be scheduled
with the teacher and small groups of students for the purpose of setting up
the necessary software. If you need further assistance, please contact the
teacher at her email to schedule a synchronous Skype meeting.

Phonetics: There are four synchronous meetings that have been

scheduled for the purpose of assisting your development and providing you
with the teachers feedback on the pronunciation exercises.
Please send additional questions to the professor via e mail at
dnbehr@gmail.com.

Netiquette: Guidelines for Online Participation

What is netiquette?
Just as one would expect others to practice etiquette when meeting an
elder or dining, there are rules that support proper interactions over the
internet.

When is it necessary to use netiquette?

I would like you to be aware that this is an academic environment that
demands that each student is polite with their habits and words when
interacting with both the teacher and the other students. The following list
provides standards for general communication in this class, emails, and
online discussions.
Netiquette for General Communication in an Academic Setting:

1. Everyone is human. We all have feelings and we all make mistakes. If

you are not likely to be rude to someone if you with them in a face to face
interaction, do not use such words when writing!

2. This is an academic setting and publicly insulting people is

inappropriate. If you have a problem with the other students, explain how
you have been affected by the misunderstanding and ask how you can
work together to solve the problem. If this does not work or you feel it is
not possible, contact the teacher to request that she gives help to improve
the communication process or the situation.

3. Be ethical. Do not plagiarize (steal work from others without giving

them credit for their ideas) or say hurtful things about another student or
the teacher. Again, be honest about your point of view, but politely address
the person with whom you have a conflict, if you have a
conflict. Cyberbullying (bullying someone through using the internet) is
entirely unacceptable.

4. For this class, academic writing is appropriate in emails and class

discussions. Please do not transfer abbreviated writing habits that are
acceptable in texting to the classroom. When you make your blog
contributions, try your best. You will not be graded on your writing;
however, I would like to see what you are capable of.

5. Please be direct and not long-winded in your email

communications. In your blog posts, write what is necessary and
thoughtful. Make valuable contributions.

6. Ask thoughtful questions that will contribute to collaborative

(people working together as a group) communication.
7. Do not embarrass other students or the teacher publicly. If you
think that a private email is appropriate for a specific communication, use
that option instead of posting to the group.
8. Dont post material that is unrelated to the area of
study. Remember, sharing a music video or recipes on Facebook is social
and appropriate; however, if this material is not related to the area being
studied, do not impose.

Netiquette When Writing Emails:

1. Please always include your name.

2. Include a subject line that indicates the content of the Email

3. Avoid sarcasm and SCREAMING! The person on the other end who is
reading your message can not read your body language.

4. Return messages in a timely fashion.

Rules for Contributions to the Blog:

1. It is required that you contribute each week and respond on the

weeks when you do not have an audio assignment due. These weeks
and due dates have been written into the schedule at the top of the
syllabus.

2. Please inform the teacher if you are experiencing obstacles with

the technology.

3. Feel free to turn to each other to collaborate. If you do not

plagiarize, this is not cheating. A peer may be aware of a resource you
need or be able to help you navigate new technology.
4. Give thoughtful responses to your peers. This can be a long or a
short response; however, your contribution should reflect that you carefully
read what they posted.

5. Cite your sources! Son of Citation and other similar engines can help
you to post your references in the appropriate format.

6. No racist, sexist, ageist, or any other kind of prejudicial statements

should be made. This is entirely inappropriate and likely to be hurtful!
7. Review what you have written before you make a contribution. You
want to present yourself in a studious and professional way. Check for
spelling errors and grammar errors before you make your final submission.
Grading policies:
Attendance: Your attendance will be evaluated based on your blog
contributions and a mandatory synchronous meeting. Please make every
effort to do your reading assignments and make your blog submissions by
the due date.

The final grade: This will be decided based on the calculations in the chart
on the following pages.
Skill Set Exercise Number of Questions/ Value of Each Total
Contributions Question/ Possible
Contribution Score

Listening Lecture A total number of 58 2 points for 116

Response questions in each question
Questions the unit: Points will be answered
received only if the correctly.
answers are correct.

Listening and Speaking Student A total number of 4 4 points for 120

Audacity recordings totaling 3o each sentence
Recording sentences recorded as
Contributions or contributions can instructed on
be made for the the listening
 unit. Points will be and speaking
received for each page.
completed
contribution.

Note: Regarding First recording

Audacity Recording assignment, front
Contributions vowels, should
contain 10 sentences:
This is due in module
3.

Second recording
assignment, back
vowels, should
contain 8 sentences:
This is due in module
5.

Third recording
assignment, central
vowels, should
contain 6 sentences:
This is due in module
7.

Fourth recording
assignment,
Diphthongs, should
contain 6
sentences. This is
due in module 8.
Reading and Writing: Answer to A total number of 8 8 points will be 64
Participation/Attendance Blog Post contributions can be given for each
Grade Question made Points will be contribution. 4
given for each points will be
completed part of the given for
contribution. Points answering the
will be deducted for blog post
plagiarism and for question and 4
cyberbullying. (You points total will
may be dismissed be given for the
from the class if either second part of
practice is serious or the question (in
consistent). module one) or
the required
word list
(module 2 8).

Reading and Writing: Answer to A total number of 4 25 points will be 100

Participation/Attendance Peer Blog completed given for each
Grade Posts on contributions can be module that has
Assigned made. Points will be this assignment
Days given for each (modules 1, 2,
completed 4 and 6). 10
contribution. Points points will be
will be deducted for given for each
plagiarism and for peer you
 cyberbullying. (You respond
may be dismissed to. Two are
from the class if either required for
practice is serious or each week this
consistent). assignment is
given. A total of
5 points will be
given for the
vocabulary
contributions.

Required Synchronous 1 mandatory 50 50

Meeting: (required) meeting.
Participation/Attendance

Grammar and Listening Writing A total number of 10 2.5 points for 25

Sentences questions in each question
the exercise: Points answered
will be received only if correctly.
the answers are
correct.

Writing, Listening, and Paragraph A total number of 10 2.5 points for 25

Reading Structure questions in the each question
exercise: Points will answered
be received only if the correctly.
answers are
contributed.

Total Possible Points 500

Grading Scale:
90% - 100% is an A
80% 89% is a B
70% 79% is a C
60% 69% is a D
0 59% is a F

Additional resources:
Breaking News English - Easier News Lessons. (n.d.). Retrieved
June 9, 2016, from http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/index.html
English Phonetic Transcription. (n.d.). Retrieved July 07, 2016, from
http://upodn.com/
Merriam-Webster Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2016, from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/
 The Easiest Way to Learn English for Free. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9,
2016, from http://easyworldofenglish.com/default.aspx
The sounds of English and the International Phonetic Alphabet. (n.d.).
Retrieved July 07, 2016, from http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-
soundsipa.htm