Cambridge Syllabus Notes

Speaking: Pronunciation & Intonation

Why Pronunciation Matters 🎤

Good pronunciation helps listeners understand you without guessing. Think of it as the key that unlocks a conversation. If the key is wrong, the door stays closed.

Key Pronunciation Features

Vowel length: beat vs. bit – a short vs. long sound.
Consonant clarity: th in think vs. t in tink.
Word stress: PREsent vs. present.
Connected speech: linking and to the → and the sounds like an-dthe.

Intonation: The Musical Voice 🎶

Intonation is the rise and fall of your voice, like a melody. It tells the listener whether you’re asking a question, making a statement, or showing excitement.

Pattern	What It Means
Rising intonation	Yes/no question (e.g., Are you coming?)
Falling intonation	Statement or wh‑question (e.g., Where are you going?)
Mixed (rise then fall)	Emphasis or surprise (e.g., What a surprise!)

Practice Activities

Record yourself reading a short paragraph. Listen for stress and intonation.
Shadow a native speaker: repeat after them, matching rhythm and pitch.
Play the “intonation game”: give a sentence and change its meaning by altering the pitch.
Use a mirror to check mouth shape for tricky sounds like /θ/ and /ð/.

Exam Tips for Speaking

Speak slowly and clearly; avoid rushing.
Use natural pauses after each idea.
Show confidence by keeping a steady tone.
Practice common question patterns to master rising/falling intonation.
Remember: “Pronunciation is the bridge” – if the bridge is shaky, the conversation may fail.

communicate showing control of pronunciation and intonation