Phonetic games in English lessons

Transcription rules

Explanations for the table:

• [d], [l], [s], [z], [tʃ], [dʒ], [t], [d], [n] are alveolar sounds, i.e. we pronounce them, touching the alveoli with the tip of the tongue.
• [p], [t], [k] - are pronounced with a breath, as if the air "stumbles" when exhaling.
• Interdental  [ð], [θ]  , labial [w] nasal [ŋ], [r]  - [ɜ:]  and [ɔ:]  - these are sounds that do not exist in Russian at all!
  Examples: thick  [θik]  ; - fat, wait [weit] - wait; sing [siŋ]  - sing; river ['rivər]  - river; early ['ɜ:rli]  - early, door [dɔ:]  - saw.

• Diphthongs are double sounds that are indivisible; they are a bit similar to the Russian "oh, hey, ay", but they are pronounced more smoothly. The first part of the sound is pronounced firmly, and the second seems to “slide” towards [i], [ə] or [u].
  Examples: [ei] - day, [ai] - fire, [ɔi] - boy, [iə] - tears,  [eə] - prepare, [uə] - fuel, [au] - now, [əu] - boat, [ou] - soul.

• There are no soft consonants in English - that is, all consonants are pronounced firmly, even if they are followed by a soft vowel.
  For example: sister [ˈsɪstə] we would rather pronounce it as “syiste” than the Russian soft “siste”.
• Tense and lingering articulations - this means that some sounds are pronounced tensely and briefly, while others are drawn out. These include: [i] - [i:], [u] - [u:], [ʌ] -[ɒ:].
  The meaning of the spoken word sometimes depends on the choice of a particular sound. Examples: live [liv] - live, and leave - [li: v] - leave; cut [kʌt]  - cut, and cart [ka:t] - cart.
• Most consonant sounds are pronounced with flat, widely stretched lips, and the tongue is pressed - from this they come out completely different than in Russian.

Intonation

In English, intonation plays an important role. It includes four aspects: tone and tempo of speech, logical pauses and stress.

The intonation can be ascending or descending.

Descending we apply:

• On affirmation: I like?walking.
• In the special question: ?Where are you?
• When pronouncing a command or order: ?Go and?help him.
• In an exclamatory sentence: How?interesting!
• In the second part of the alternative question: Is it?Ann or?Kate?
• In a tag question, when you know the answer but specify the information: You haven't bought any bread,?have you?

Downstream is used:

• On assertion: I like ↘ walking.
• In the special question:  ↘ Where are you?
• When pronouncing a command or order:  ↘ Go and ↗ help him.
• In an exclamatory sentence: How ↘ interesting!
• In the second part of the alternative question: Is it ↗  Ann or ↘ Kate?
• In a tag question, when you know the answer but specify the information: You haven't bought any bread, ↘ have you?

Particular attention should be paid to logical stress, how we highlight the most important words in a sentence by meaning.

For example:

• I went to the shop to buy green apples (not red).
• I went to the shop to buy green apples (not pears).

Phonetic games for preschoolers

It is very difficult for preschoolers to do exercises, so phonetics tasks for them should be as entertaining as possible.

• “Find the sound” The
  teacher distributes cards with pictures or just written words. Each student must find the ones that start with the same sound and put them together.
• "Right-left"
  May be in the definition of "long or short", "broad or narrow" vowel sounds. The teacher says different words. If one sound from the given ones is pronounced, they raise their right hand, if they hear another, they raise their left.
• “Identify the sound”
  Words are written on the cards. The teacher tells you what sound to look for. The task of the children is to find words with this sound as quickly as possible and read them out. The winner is the one who does it the fastest and most correctly. Repeat until the cards run out.
• “Pick up a rhyme”
  The participants are given pictures. They need to find words that can rhyme. For example: dog-frog, doll-ball, mouse-house, song-strong, etc. Whoever is faster, he won.

Phonetic games in elementary school

Game-based tasks are also the most effective for developing speaking skills in elementary school students. Suitable for mastering and memorizing vocabulary, as well as the rules of English pronunciation.

• “Choose a transcription”
  Students are given cards with words. The task of the children is to raise the cards in the appropriate transcription. Or vice versa. The guys have cards with transcription, which they raise when the teacher shows this or that word.
• “Come up with a rhyme” The
  teacher calls the word, the children call the rhyme along the chain. Whoever fails is out. You can also offer to come up with a poem from the words proposed by the teacher.
• "Define the intonation"
  The class is divided into 2 groups. Suggestions are written on the board. Participants should take turns going to the board and placing logical stresses. The team that completes the task with the fewest mistakes wins.
• “Combine the right one”
  This exercise is not only about knowledge of transcriptions, but also about vocabulary (it is possible on a specific topic). Children are given cards where words, transcription and translation are confused. The one who completes it the fastest wins. Next is a check.

Games for high school students and adults

Phonetic games in English are also relevant for students who have been studying this foreign language for a long time. However, now they will already have a slightly different focus.

First, consider the material on which they can be built.