FLE 400: American English Pronunciation

Course Syllabus Spring 2014

Course Description

This course provides intensive pronunciation practice for non-native speakers of English who want to
improve the clarity of their English speech. The primary focus of the course is improvement in the
areas that are most important in making speech more understandable and native-like: word stress
and phrase-stress, intonation, and the rhythm of English speech. In addition, there will be individual
and class work on vowel and consonant sounds throughout the semester. Pronunciation practice will
include individual, large group and small group work during class, recorded and written homework
assignments, and practice at home.

Instructor

Carolyn Quarterman -Instructor

Phone: 515-9278
Office Location: 422 Withers Hall

Course Materials

Textbooks
Well Said: Pronunciation for Clear Communication - Linda Grant
Edition: Third
ISBN: 978-14240-0625-0
Cost: Available at NCSU bookstore
This textbook is required.

Other Materials

FLE400 Course Pack (Available at Sir Speedy at 2526 Hillsborough St.) – approximately $8
This material is required.

Grading
Grade Components

Component Weight Details

Pronunciation Midterm 20%

Presentations (2) 20%

Quizzes 20%

Class participation 10%

Homework Recordings 10%
Final Exam 20%
Letter Grades

This Course uses Standard NCSU Letter Grading:

97 ≤ A+ ≤ 100
93 ≤ A < 97
90 ≤ A- < 93
87 ≤ B+ < 90
83 ≤ B < 87
80 ≤ B- < 83
77 ≤ C+ < 80
73 ≤ C < 77
70 ≤ C- < 73
67 ≤ D+ < 70
63 ≤ D < 67
60 ≤ D- < 63
0 ≤ F < 60

Requirements for Credit-Only (S/U) Grading

In order to receive a grade of S, students are required to take all exams and quizzes, complete all
assignments, and earn a grade of C- or better. Conversion from letter grading to credit only (S/U)
grading is subject to university deadlines. Refer to the Registration and Records calendar for
deadlines related to grading. For more details refer to
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/courses_undergrad/REG02.20.15.php.

Requirements for Auditors (AU)

Information about and requirements for auditing a course can be found at
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.5.php.
In order to receive an AU (Audited) for the course on their transcript, students are required to take
all exams and quizzes, complete all assignments, and earn a grade of C- or better. If they receive
below a C-, they will receive an NR (No Recognition given for an audit).

Policies on Incomplete Grades

If an extended deadline is not authorized by the instructor or department, an unfinished incomplete
grade will automatically change to an F after either (a) the end of the next regular semester in
which the student is enrolled (not including summer sessions), or (b) the end of 12 months if the
student is not enrolled, whichever is shorter. Incompletes that change to F will count as an
attempted course on transcripts. The burden of fulfilling an incomplete grade is the responsibility of
the student. The university policy on incomplete grades is located at
http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/grades_undergrad/REG02.50.3.php.

Late Assignments
If an assignment is late, the teacher may deduct points for each day the assignment is late.

Attendance Policy
Attendance
Your preparation for class by doing the assignments and your participation in class are crucial
for your own improvement and for a good learning environment in the class. Therefore
attendance is mandatory. Your course grade will drop if you have more than two full
absences. If you must miss part of the class, come to as much of it as you can. Missing part
of a class counts as a partial absence.

Absences
Students will be allowed to make up a quiz or exam that was missed due to an excused absence
(documentation will be requested). If absence was unexcused, the teacher is not obligated to
provide a makeup opportunity.
Course Schedule for Sections 002 and 003
Week 1 — 01/6/2014 - 01/10/2014
Introducing yourself (packet)
Well Said: Introduction to consonants & vowels
Identifying difficulties (website)
"He Sounds Like He's Bored" (packet)

Week 2 — 01/13/2014 - 01/17/2014

Well Said: Chapter 2
Review of phonetic symbols
Well Said: /θ/ (and /ð/)
Recording 1 due (Identifying Difficulties)

Week 3 — 01/20/2014 - 01/24/2014

Well Said: Chapter 7
Social Problems--word stress (packet)
Quiz 1

Week 4 — 01/27/2014 - 01/31/2014

Well Said: Chapter 7, continued
Humorous Definitions (packet)
Well Said: / ɑ-ɔ / & / ʌ /
Recording 2 due

Week 5 — 02/03/2014 - 02/07/2014

Well Said: /ʃ/, /ʒ/, /ʤ/ ,/ʧ/
Educational Television (packet)
Focus on Linking
Quiz 2

Week 6 — 02/10/2014 - 02/14/2014

Well Said: Chapter 4 (-s endings)
Opens and Closes (packet)
Cultural Values (packet)
Recording 3 due

Week 7 — 02/17/2014- 02/21/2014

Well Said: Chapter 4 (–ed endings)
Well Said: Appendix C - /ɪ/
Quiz 3
Review for midterm exam

Week 8 — 02/24/2014 - 02/28/2014

Midterm Oral Exam (individual appointments)
Well Said: /r/, /l/ & /n/
Well Said: Chapter 5

Week 9 — 03/03/2014 - 03/07/2014

Graph description recording due (and Self-critique)
Well Said: /r/, /l/ & /n/ continued
Well Said: Chapter 5 continued
Note: March 3rd is the last day to withdraw or drop a course without a grade at the all levels.
Last day to change from credit to audit at all levels. Last day to change to credit only.
Week 10 — 03/10/2014 - 03/14/2014
Spring Break—no class

Week 11 — 03/17/2014 - 03/21/2014

Well Said: Chapter 8
Well Said: /ɛ/

Week 12 — 03/24/2014 - 03/28/2014

Well Said:/v/, /b/, /w/
Word Stress 4 (packet)
Recording 4 due

Week 13 — 03/31/2014 - 04/04/2014

Well Said: Chapter 9
Word Stress 5 (packet)

Week 14 — 04/07/2014 - 04/11/2014

Well Said: Chapter 9, continued
Quiz 4
Recording 5 due

Week 15 — 04/14/2014 - 04/16/2014

Oral Presentations (half of class)
vowel review (packet)
April 17 and 18 – Spring Holiday

Week 16 — 04/21/2014 - 04/23/2014

Oral Presentations (other half of class)
Final exam review
Oral presentation self-critique due

Finals Week — 04/28/2014 - 05/06/2014

Final Oral Exam
Section 001: Tuesday, April 29th from 1:00-4:00 pm.
Section 002: Tuesday, April 29th from 6:00-9:00 pm.
Each student will take the exam by individual appointment—15 minutes in length--during this time.