Diploma in English Phonetics and Pronunciation
English Language / Arts — Novera International University
1. Program Overview:
An accredited professional and applied program extending over 6 months (96 accredited hours), aimed at enabling English-language teachers, translators, and those interested in phonetics to achieve practical and analytical mastery of articulation and correct English pronunciation. The program covers the English sound system (vowels and consonants), the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), phonetic differences among global accents (British, American, and others), training in phonetic transcription, auditory discrimination, mechanisms for correcting common pronunciation errors, methods of teaching pronunciation to non-native speakers of English, the use of technological tools in phonetic training, and the rules of Connected Speech, stress, intonation, and Weak Forms.
2. Key Objectives:
- Understanding the English sound system: understanding and applying the mechanisms for producing consonants and vowels and their precise places and points of articulation.
- Mastering the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): reading and writing phonetic symbols and mastering Phonetic Transcription skills for texts and words.
- Distinguishing among global English accents: understanding pronunciation and phonetic differences between British (RP), General American, and common global accents.
- Diagnosing and correcting pronunciation errors: acquiring systematic techniques for identifying and correcting common difficulties and errors among English-language learners, especially Arabic speakers.
- Improving connected-speech fluency: mastering Connected Speech phenomena such as assimilation, elision, linking, Stress, Intonation, and Weak Forms.
- Employing modern technologies and teaching pronunciation: using digital applications, phonetic software, and effective teaching strategies for teaching pronunciation to non-native speakers of English.
3. Target Audience:
- Male and female English-language teachers in schools, universities, and language institutes.
- Simultaneous and consecutive interpreters, media professionals, and English-language presenters.
- Students and graduates of Faculties of Arts, Languages and Translation, and Education (English-language and linguistics departments).
- Trainers and professionals wishing to improve articulation, eliminate inaccurate accents, and acquire a high level of phonetic fluency.
- Speech and articulation specialists.
4. Study Plan and Courses (9 Modules — 31 Interactive Lectures):
|
No. |
Educational Module / Course |
Number of Lectures |
Total Teaching Hours
|
|
1 |
The English Sound System: Vowels and Consonants |
3 |
6 hours |
|
2 |
The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) |
3 |
6 hours |
|
3 |
Varieties of English Accents: British, American, and Global |
4 |
8 hours |
|
4 |
Common Pronunciation Errors and Techniques for Correcting Them |
4 |
8 hours |
|
5 |
Listening and Auditory Discrimination Skills |
3 |
6 hours |
|
6 |
Training in Phonetic Representation (Phonetic Transcription) |
3 |
6 hours |
|
7 |
Teaching Pronunciation to Non-Native Speakers of English |
4 |
8 hours |
|
8 |
Technological Tools and Resources for Pronunciation Training |
4 |
8 hours |
|
9 |
Connected Speech and Weak Forms in Phonetics |
3 |
6 hours |
|
|
Total: 9 Integrated Educational Modules |
31 Lectures |
62 Direct Training Hours
|
5. Organizational Structure and Assessment System:
- Duration and sessions: 6 months (evening period), at a rate of two lectures per week, two hours per lecture = 62 direct interactive training hours through 31 lectures.
- Language of study and delivery method: English | fully remote interactive training (Online).
- Distribution of accredited hours (96 hours):
· 62 hours: direct interactive online lectures and practical pronunciation training.
· 20 hours: required and free readings and specialized phonetics guides.
· 10 hours: chapter questions, self-assessment, and auditory discrimination exercises.
· 2 hours: presentations and individual and group pronunciation applications.
· 2 hours: final review and completion examination.
- Attendance and assessment requirements: attendance of no less than 75% of the direct interactive lectures, and submission of audio recordings and periodic assignments.
- Certificate and final project: the graduate is awarded a Diploma in English Phonetics and Pronunciation after passing the comprehensive electronic examination and the approved applied phonetic assessments.
