ELF Warmer Game | Pronunciation Phone Number | TEENS and ADULTS

Pronunciation is one of the most difficult details of English for speakers of other languages. You may think it's not crucial for them to pronounce things like a native speaker until you have words like:

WE'RE/ WERE
BOAT/ BOUGHT
EAT/ IT
SHEET/ SHIT

Pronouncing these wrong can cause some confusion in communication. 

Today's activity is a fun way for students to practice the details in the differences in these words. Essentially, you will make a PowerPoint with a grid like a telephone keyboard. Below each number, write a word that your students typically confuse. Have their similar sounding word under another number. (Look at the example below)

Lesson Plan

LESSON: Use as a class opener or to start a speaking lesson
OBJECTIVES: a. Speak with precise pronunciation b. Tune your ear for listening
LEVEL: Can be appropriate for most levels and ages.
TIME: 8-10 minutes

ESL Pronunciation Game: Pronunciation Phone Number

Activity: Pronunciation Phone

·      Preview and practice the pronunciation for each word on the grid.
·      Tell students to get something to write on and something to write with.
·      I tell them my phone number by saying the words. They write down the number.
·      I ask them to take out their phones and call me. - I ask something like, "Did you get them all?" or "Who feels brave."
·      Find a partner and share phone numbers (the numbers can be fake if they prefer)

Download the Lesson Plan
​and Material

Pro Tips:

· Write down your phone number for yourself before the activity so you don't get confused with the words and numbers.
· Change the words on the slide for different sounds
- If you don't feel comfortable, don't use their real phone numbers.

Share any other activities you could use this pronunciation slide for.

Good luck! Let me know how it worksfor you and if you have any special touches that I can try in my classes:

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