Methodological Principles of Teaching English Phonology in Listening

Abstract

Background: The research of principles of teaching English phonology in listening is a topical scientific problem since learners of English often have difficulties with recognition of familiar words while listening to authentic audio texts. Solution of this problem makes an important contribution to improving methodology of teaching listening in the foreign language. Purpose: The purpose of the analysis is to determine the main principles of teaching English phonology in listening on the basis of functions of the main psycho physiological mechanisms of speech perception. Results: Methodological principles are the background of the teaching and learning process. They create order of this process and set up the target. Methodological principles of teaching phonology in listening are based on psycho physiological laws of speech perception in order to follow the natural process of language acquisition. The main methodological principles are the following: focusing learners’ attention on the sound form of a word before introducing its meaning; exposing learners to a variety of audio materials in the process of teaching the foreign language; considering the speed of oral speech while teaching phonology in listening; varying conditions of listening; involving learners in imitation activities, in synchronous articulation and in loud reading while listening; arranging a wellbalanced practice of phonological and oral comprehension skills. Discussion: Establishing effective methodological principles of teaching phonology in listening requires data from different scientific fields. Findings of methodology alone are not sufficient since they do not provide necessary information about psychology of perception and linguistic mechanisms. Розроблено методичні принципи навчання фонологічного аспекту англійського мовлення під час слухання. Науковою основою для визначення зазначених принципів є висновки психоакустичних досліджень, які пояснюють психофізіологічну природу механізму сприйняття мовлення. Визначені методичні принципи базуються на ідеї слідування психофізіологічним законам сприйняття при навчанні іншомовного аудіювання. Разработаны методические принципы обучения фонологического аспекта английской речи во время слушания. Научной основой для определения указанных принципов выводы психоакустических исследований, объясняющих психофизиологическую природу механизма восприятия речи. Определены методические принципы базируются на идее следования психофизиологическим законам восприятия при обучении иноязычного аудирования.