Recorded Pronunciation
Pre-tests
To get a record of your current abilities in pronunciation,
record yourself reading the script below. Do not try too hard!
On this attempt, we simply want a baseline measurement of
where you are now. Remember to note the date when you save
your recording.
Evaluation Script
Hello. You asked me how the weather has been. Well, today it
is sunny. Yesterday, it was rainy and windy. I stayed home. In
the afternoon I
watched a movie, washed the dishes and listened to some new
music that my
friend emailed to me. Today, I plan to go for a walk while the
weather is good.
However, work can always change my plans. If my manager calls,
I may need to do
some internet research and go to the office early tomorrow.
I'm trying to do
work that is above and beyond the average, since I am new at
this
workplace. It is not easy to focus on work during spring. The
flowers are in
bloom and many people are walking to the cafes in the
neighborhood. It's always difficult to
balance business and health, not to mention a
social life. My sister
is coming into town next week. I want to take her to the
modern museum of art. I think I'll
take her to the downtown library as well. Her husband is
coming too. He wants to
visit the pubs with expensive beers. I figure I can add one of
those to our touring
agenda. There is also a new music museum. They have a lot of
audio recordings
with really interesting musical sounds. Outside the museum,
there is a fountain where
children often play. The water rises and falls. I think it
must be programmed on
a computer. On a clear day, you can see the mountains in the
distance. It is a
very beautiful downtown center.
Evaluation Questions
Now create a second recording of yourself speaking your
answers to the questions below. If you choose not to record
yourself, you can write answers to these questions.
1. Which languages do you speak? If you speak several
languages, which ones may affect your English the most?
2. How old were you when you began learning English? For how
many years have you studied English?
3.
When an American speaks, how much do you understand? For
example, you
might understand 50%, 75% or 95% of what an American says.
4.
When you do not understand an American, what is the reason or
reasons?
For example, you might not understand because you do not
have experience listening to Americans, because some
Americans
speak quickly, or other reasons.
5. When you speak to an American, how much do you think the
American understands?
6. When an American does not understand you, what may be the
reason or reasons?
7.
What is your pronunciation goal? For example, do you want to
understand
pronunciation rules, speak more clearly without losing your
accent, or
sound as much like a native speaker as possible?
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