English Language Proficiency

Course Syllabus

Course Description
English Language Proficiency (ELP) is a course designed for any Filipino learner of the English language at any grade level, who needs to improve, correct and refine his/her communication skills in the use of the English Language. The course contents focus primarily, on the nature and the whole language system of basic sounds and structural patterns of the English language as distinguished from the native/ mother tongue of the learner.

Course Objectives
The learner is expected to internalize the nature and patterns of the English language as distinguished from his/her mother tongue;

 Master the basic sound and structural systems of the target language to facilitate oral and written competencies in the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Build ones word power in the English language for more effective, accurate and meaningful communication in any situation and context;

 Further develop phonemic and phonetic awareness by recognizing the English spelling and sound correspondence:
Phonemic the knowledge and manipulation of sounds in spoken words

* Phonetic the relationship between written symbols and the sounds they represent.

Course Content
A. Introduction: Facts about the nature of the English language and learning process as distinguished from ones mother tongue. Diagnostic test on native tongue Regional differences

Speech Anatomy
The Biological/Physiological Basis of Phonetics

The Supralaryngeal Speech Organs

Above the larynx, the speech organs are the lips, tongue and velum (soft palate). To these may be added the lower jaw (mandible) which assists with lip positioning and tongue positioning. The organs interrupt the flow of air through the vocal tract in various ways and modify its shape and dimensions.

 The cavities of the vocal tract, the pharynx the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. The posture of the lower part (root) of the tongue modifies the shape of the pharynx (although the pharynx itself has muscular walls) that can alter the shape and size of the pharynx to some extent. The forward part of the tongue in conjunction with the lips and lower jaw, modifies the shape of the oral cavity.

 The position of the velum determines whether the vocal tract forms a single tube or has a side branch through the nasal cavity. (UCLA Phonetics Laboratory 2002 is an
Illustrated guide to the speech production mechanism).

Speech Anatomy
Speech organs: parts of the body involved in the production of sounds. Lips

The Lips
The speakers lips are visible face to face and can provide additional cues to the listener about the identities of speech sounds ( Remember someone telling you: Read my lips.)? Rainbow Passage: Read the following: When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a prism and form a rainbow

The Tongue
The shaping and positioning of the tongue during speech is achieved through the cooperation of extrinsic and intrinsic muscles. Tongue lowering and tongue raising are usually facilitated by the action of the lower jaw. For example, from a position of rest, the oral cavity can be enlarged simply by opening the jaw, without exertion of the tongue muscles.

 The tongue is made up of various kinds of muscles which are flexible; the rear part is not so flexible.

 During speech, speech coordinated movements of the tongue and jaw adjust the size and the shape of the oral cavity and pharynx.

The Lower Jaw (Mandible)

Is a horizontal U-shape which runs vertically in front of each other. Try Bite Block: Clamp pencil by your teeth and read the following: These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above and one end apparently beyond the horizon.

The Human Jawbone

The Velum (Soft palate)

Try saying this sentence with pinched nosed (indicative of a closed velum): There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end.

The Soft Palate

Speech is affected with diseases of the mouth, e.g. tonsilitis

The Vocal Chords

The Diaphragm