This postgraduate course, EDE 831 – Advanced Studies on Phonetics and Phonology of English, provides Masters-level students with a deep, applied understanding of the sound systems of English, bridging linguistic theory with advanced pedagogical practice in Language Education.
The course begins by differentiating between Phonetics (the physical study of speech sounds) and Phonology (the functional patterning of sounds), establishing the theoretical foundation across articulatory, acoustic, and auditory levels. Students will conduct an in-depth analysis of the English Sound System, focusing on the production of consonants, monophthongs, and diphthongs, with a special emphasis on diagnosing and remedying common pronunciation challenges faced by Nigerian learners.
A core component is dedicated to the study of Suprasegmental Features—Stress, Rhythm, and Intonation—exploring how these features contribute to fluency, comprehension, and communicative effectiveness in English as a stress-timed language. The module then examines various Pronunciation Models (RP, GA, Nigerian English), advocating for an intelligibility-focused approach suitable for teaching English as a global Lingua Franca (ELF).
Crucially, the course integrates the latest Digital Tools and Technology in the field, training students to utilize resources like CAPT software (e.g., PRAAT), mobile apps, and virtual classrooms for personalized and interactive pronunciation instruction. The final modules on Applied Phonetics and Advanced Issues focus on practical classroom applications, including detailed Error Analysis, remedial teaching techniques, and the exploration of new research in Sociophoneticsand the use of Artificial Intelligence in language teaching.
Ultimately, this course prepares future educators to be adaptable, research-informed, and technologically proficient in diagnosing, correcting, and promoting highly intelligible English pronunciation in diverse learning environments.
- Lecturer : Torty Ogbonne