Pronunciation Diagnostic - Identifying Oral Communication Difficulties

EXERCISE 1: Record each pair of words two times. Read both words from each pair, then read both words again.

EXAMPLE: "beat----bit" "beat----bit"

beat----bit

deed----did

fees----fizz

bid-----bed

miss----mess

lift----left

luck----lurk

bird---bud  met-----mat

bed-----bad

beck----back

boot----book

Luke----look

late----let

mate----met

fade----fed

caught--coat

lawn----loan

cot----cut

mod----mud

lock----luck

cop----cup

nice----noise

bite----bout
 

EXERCISE 2: Record each of the dialogues below:
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A: Would you rather have coffee or tea?
B: I'll have coffee, thanks.
A: Would you like any cream or sugar?
B: No thanks, just black.
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A: What would you like on your sandwich?
B: I'll have mustard, lettuce, tomato and pickles.
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A: It's time for our project meeting, Mr. Johnson.
B: Oh, right. What room is it in?
A: In the usual place, room 105.
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A: May I help you?
B: Yes, I'd like a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
A: Sorry, what kind of ice cream?
B: Vanilla.
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A: We're going to the zoo. Won't you join us?
B: Oh, no thanks. It's too hot and humid. I'm going swimming!
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EXERCISE 3: First read the following paragraph silently so you understand the information, then read it aloud and record it.. Try to read smoothly and clearly.

Have you ever wached young children practice the sounds of the language they are learning? They imitate, repeat, and sing consonant and vowel combinations without effort. For young children, learning to speak a language is natural and automatic. No one would suspect that complex learning is occurring. For adult learners, however, pronunciation of a new language is not automatic. It presents an unusual challenge. Why is pronunciation progress in adults more limited? Some researchers say the reasons are biological or physical. Others say they are social or cultural. Although many questions are still unanswered, it is important to realize two things about clear speaking. First, pronunciation improvement might be difficult, but it is possible. Second, adults can learn to communicate clearly in English without losing their accents or their identification with their native cultures.

* from Well Said, 2nd Edition, by Linda Grant, p. 1 (Heinle & Heinle, 2000).