IPA & Phonics

Feb, 9^th, 2024

Did you know that the spoken form of language is primary and should be taught first? It's essential to prioritize spoken language in the initial stages of learning because it forms the foundation for all other language skills. Applying the findings of phonetics to language teaching is crucial, and this starts with teachers who have a solid understanding of phonetics.

To classify phonemes accurately, we need to analyze them systematically. First, we examine the manner of articulation, which refers to how the sound is produced. Next, we determine if the phoneme is voiced or voiceless, indicating whether the vocal cords vibrate during the production of the sound. Lastly, we identify the place of articulation, which pinpoints where in the vocal tract the sound is formed. The image below illustrates these concepts in more detail:

By familiarizing with the basics of phoneme classification, we can enhance the understanding of language sounds and improve our teaching and learning strategies.