120 hr. TEFL Course Module 5-Speaking (Pt.4 Articulatory Phonetics)

Module 5: Speaking

5.1.3 Articulatory phonetics

When your students understand the important phonetic symbols of the English language, determining how to sound out new words will be much easier. What will also help them learn how to sound out words is understanding how to make those sounds. Articulatory phonetics is the study of how sounds are created, and a working understanding of the ideas outlined in articulatory phonetics can really help your students understand the English language.

Understanding the anatomy of speech

So many different parts of your mouth and throat are involved in the production of speech that it can be overwhelming to try to trace sound. Let’s make it a little less overwhelming by looking at each body part that contributes to speech.

• Alveolar ridge: The gums just behind the upper teeth.
• Palate: The hard palate, or the roof of the mouth within the sphere of your teeth.
• Velum: The soft palate, or the roof of your mouth as it extends past the teeth, ending at the uvula.
• Uvula: The appendage that dangles in the back of your mouth before your mouth turns into your throat.
• Pharynx: The back of your throat, behind the uvula.
• Epiglottis: A flap of flesh that rests below your pharynx, at the top of your throat.
• Trachea: The windpipe, which is covered by the epiglottis.