English Phonetics and Phonology
2024-2025 Semester 1 Lesson 1/CC
1. Objectives
This course will focus on articulatory phonetics and the classification of sounds in
English. It will explain how English is pronounced in the context of a general theory
about speech sounds and how they are organized in languages. Topics will include the
speech production mechanism, the description of sound qualities and their
representations. There will be many exercises in ear training, sound production and
their written representations.
2. Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, students should be able to:
1) describe, compare and classify speech sounds according to their production with
reference to the articulatory organs, and their distribution in the syllable;
2) transcribe English phonemes, words and sentences according to standard British
English pronunciation using symbols based on IPA;
3) explain the concept of a phoneme as a group of allophones;
4) identify different phonological processes in connected speech; and
5) analyse the structure of an English syllable and its phonological constraints.
3. Teaching and Learning Methods
Each session will comprise two 1.5-hour classes and will be devoted to the following
modes of teaching:
1) lecture presentation.
2) self-learning by reading, completing worksheets, ear training and other designated
exercises, and discussion.
3) Recorded lecture on detailed guidelines on how to write the individual research
report with e-learning exercise
4) Online revision quizzes
4. Assessment
The course grade is based on continuous assessment only.
Assessment Items Percentage
Test 1 (Lesson 6) 30%
- Vowels Transcription
- Concept Check Short Answer Questions (L1-4)
Test 2 (Lesson 12) 30%
- Consonants Transcription
- Connected Speech Transcription
- Concept Check Short Answer Questions (L6-10)
Individual Research Project (Deadline: 20 Dec 2024)
- Report (1000-1500 words) 30%
Class Participation
- Online Revision Quizzes 10%
* NOTES:
1. Students must attend their own class for each test. They will receive 0 mark if they are
absent for reasons other than medical or on compassionate grounds. All make-up tests will
be arranged within one week of the original test date.
2
English Phonetics and Phonology
2024-2025 Semester 1 Lesson 1/CC
Class Work and Participation
Students are expected to participate actively in class activities and discussions.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all lessons. Students who have not attended 70% of the
lessons without acceptable reasons will get 0% in Individual Research Project.
5. Textbook and References
Course Textbook
Roach, P. (2009). English phonetics and phonology: A practical course. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
Other References
Collins, B., & Mees, I. M. (2008). Practical phonetics and phonology: A resource book
for students. London: Routledge.
Kreidler, C. W. (2002). Describing spoken English: An introduction. London:
Routledge.
Ladefoged, P., & Johnson, K. (2011). A course in phonetics. Boston, MA:
Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.
6. Class Timetable
IEC
CL01 Tuesday 0830 – 1130 IEC 602
CL02 Monday 1300 – 1600 IEC 1202
CL03 Monday 0830 – 1130 IEC 602
KEC
CL04 Thursday 1130 – 1430 KEC 608
CL05 Friday 1430 – 1730 KEC 709
3
English Phonetics and Phonology
2024-2025 Semester 1 Lesson 1/CC
7. Schedule
Lecture Content CL01 CL02 CL03 CL04 CL05
Phonetics and phonology – an 17 Sept 16 Sept 16 Sept 19 Sept 13 Sept
1 introduction
- Reading: Roach, Chapter 1
Organs of speech 24 Sept 23 Sept 23 Sept 26 Sept 20 Sept
- Reading: Roach, Chapters 2.1,
2.2
2
The larynx
- Reading: Roach, Chapters 4.1,
4.2
Cardinal vowels 8 Oct 30 Sept 30 Sept 3 Oct 27 Sept
- Reading: Roach, Chapter 2.2
3
The phoneme
- Reading: Roach, Chapter 5
Pure vowels 15 Oct 7 Oct 7 Oct 10 Oct 4 Oct
- Reading: Roach, Chapters 2.3,
3.1, 9.1, 9.2
4
Gliding vowels
- Reading: Roach, Chapters 3.2,
3.3, 13.2
22 Oct 14 Oct 14 Oct 17 Oct 18 Oct
Revision
5
Consultation
Test 1 (30%) 29 Oct 21 Oct 21 Oct 24 Oct 25 Oct
Plosives
6
- Reading: Roach, Chapters 4.3-
4.5, 13.4
Fricatives and affricates 5 Nov 28 Oct 28 Oct 7 Nov 8 Nov
7 - Reading: Roach, Chapters 6,
13.1
Nasals and approximants 12 Nov 11 Nov 11 Nov 14 Nov 15 Nov
8 - Reading: Roach, Chapters 7,
9.4, 13.3
19 Nov 18 Nov 18 Nov 21 Nov 22 Nov
The syllable
9
- Reading: Roach, Chapter 8
Phonological processes in connected 26 Nov 25 Nov 25 Nov 28 Nov 29 Nov
speech
10
- Reading: Roach, Chapters 12,
14.2-14.4
3 Dec 2 Dec 2 Dec 5 Dec 6 Dec
Revision
11
Consultation
10 Dec 9 Dec 9 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec
End of Term Test (30%)
12
Consultation
4
