The Rhythm & Melody of American English - Part 2

Name: The Rhythm & Melody of American English - Part 2
Rating: 4.6 (190 reviews)

Linking, Thought Groups and Pausing, Non-verbal Communication, Pitch

Created byNicole Kaup

Last updated 11/2018

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Student will speak more understandable English after having mastered the correct use of linking words, thought groups and pausing, non-verbal communication and pitch.

Course content

5 sections • 15 lectures • 1h 52m total length

Linking Part 17:06
Learn to link words like native speakers by using contractions and reductions, making speech smoother and more fluent. Practice connecting content words and reducing function words through drills and examples.
Linking Part 26:12
Explore how to link consonants across word boundaries by blending sounds, not letters. Practice with examples like gas station and part time to smooth pronunciation.
Linking Part 38:13
Learn how linking in American English shapes t, k, and p sounds, with a puff of air at word starts and a softened tongue position behind the upper front teeth.
Linking Part 413:51
Master linking consonants and vowels across word boundaries with practical examples, phrasal verbs, and practice exercises to make speech smooth and natural.

Thought Groups & Pausing - Part 18:57
Master thought groups, pausing, and word stress to clarify meaning, control speed, and emphasize ideas, using punctuation cues to signal pauses and chunk speech into 4–7 word groups.
Thought Groups & Pausing - Part 25:46
Revisit content words and function words, learn to mark thought groups and pauses, and identify the focus word—the last content word said louder—to improve pronunciation of meaningful words in context.
Thought Groups & Pausing - Part 37:09
Identify focus words in thought groups by analyzing adjective noun and verb noun combinations, stress word per last two words, and practice pausing and phrasal verb stress in American English.

Non-Verbal Communication - Part 15:42
Explore how body language, facial expression, and tone drive 93% of communication, align with American culture and values such as honesty, hard work, independence, and self confidence.
Non-Verbal Communication - Part 24:07
Master eye contact to show respect and listening, use expressive facial cues, smiling, and an animated, confident voice to convey honesty, warmth, and approachability in American communication.

Pitch - Part 19:42
Explore pitch and tone as the melody of American English speech, distinguishing dynamic highs and lows from monotone delivery and using pitch to convey emotion.
Speech Analyzer Demo7:34
Discover how to use the speech analyzer desktop app to visualize your pitch in hertz, record samples, and compare them side by side to improve pitch variation.
Pitch - Part 29:03
Explore how pitch signals what's important, marks focus words and content words, and uses rising and falling tones to convey emotion, authority, and sentence meaning.
Pitch - Part 37:09
Explore how pitch signals question type and uncertainty, distinguishing yes or no questions with rising endings from wh questions that rise then fall, with practical practice.
Pitch - Part 410:25
Practice rising and falling pitch to signal continuation or finish, using proverbs and lists; master tone, volume, and eye contact to communicate clearly in American English.

Requirements

Complete Part 1 of this course first. A high intermediate to advanced level of English. Must be proficient at reading, writing, understanding and speaking English to be successful in this course.

Description

This class is the second class in a two part series on American English intonation. The series is designed to help the high-intermediate to advanced English speaker master the key elements for speaking clear, understandable English. The series of courses focuses on the musical and rhythmic aspects of pronunciation, which are the most important aspects of intelligible English speech. Part 2 covers linking, thought groups and pausing, nonverbal communication and pitch.

Who this course is for:

Advanced non-native English speakers who are proficient in the language, but have difficulty being understood when speaking.

The Rhythm & Melody of American English - Part 2

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Linking Words4 lectures • 35min

Thought Groups & Pausing3 lectures • 22min

Non-Verbal Communication2 lectures • 10min

Pitch5 lectures • 44min

Conclusion1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: