Lesson overview:
In this pronunciation lesson, students discover how English rhythm highlights important information. Using two short video clips, they notice which words sound strongest, sort content and function words, and experiment with shifting prominence to express contrast, correction, surprise, or certainty.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
- identify content and function words in connected speech;
- recognise how prominence changes a speaker’s intended message;
- use contrastive prominence to correct, clarify, or emphasise information.
Lead-in:
Start with a dramatic coronation clip and ask students what the character is declaring and how certain or powerful she sounds. Rather than introducing terminology immediately, have students react to the delivery first. They then listen again and identify which words stand out most strongly.
Teaching Tips
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