Ask Marti:
Accent Reduction

Out of Order? Theme Pictures Accent Reduction Rhythm Home Page

uestion: What is so important about CLAP THE STRESS? I don't have any sense of rhythm, so can I just skip that section of the lesson? answer: Please don't skip it! Accent reduction is the major purpose of this segment. It's very important for many students, especially those who depend on their musical intelligence for learning new things. This exercise teaches only the primary stress on a word, and if the primary stresses are correct, students will be understood.

Stress the Rhythm It is essential to use stress, rhythm, and intonation patterns throughout the exercise. If you don't possess it, there is a built-in way that you can make CLAP THE STRESS work for you. Instead of trying to set the rhythm yourself, use the recorded version of CLAP THE STRESS in your class session. It's on the audiotapes that come with Passport to the World of English Just cue it up ahead of time and you're all set.

How it Works Each dot stands for a syllable. The large dot marks the primary stress. Clap loudly for large dots and softly for small dots. For example, clap the rhythm like this: clap CLAP clap. Once you have set the rhythm, have students join you in clapping the rhythm.

clap CLAP clap

boy girl friend

woman baby mother

family addresses opposites

More Questions

• Is it ever okay to teach lessons out of order?
  
• Why do you start each lesson with a theme picture?
  
• What's so important about "Clap the Stress?"
  
• Do I have to clap "Clap the Stress,"or can I do something else?
  

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ESL Ministry

Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church

1801 Lacassie Avenue  Walnut Creek  California 94596   925-935-1574

Joanne Rae Meads  jrmeads@worldnet.att.net

September 16, 1999