Orthography as a pronunciation resource

ABSTRACT: Of the newest trends in English pronunciation teaching-the emphases on fast-speech phenomena, phrase rhythm, word stress, and the use of orthography as a learning tool-only this last is calculated to produce independent, self-sufficient learners, capable of increasing in oral proficiency outside the classroom, away from textbooks, and beyond the influence of teachers. This article draws together and illustrates the most compelling reasons for teachers to introduce spelling information into their pronunciation work. Highlighted throughout are two points: (1) the significant benefits to students from a systematic exposure to spelling-based prediction patterns, and (2) the nature of learner-orientated rules of pronunciation, often less familiar to teachers than rules of grammar.