What it is about

This book offers an entirely fresh approach on how to improve the clarity and quality of English pronunciation.  Written by a speech pathologist, rather than a language specialist, it provides a quite different perspective to any other book on the market.  It is therefore genuinely new and different.

The book outlines a total training model based on principles and techniques developed independently by the author over many years.  The approach is holistic, or multi-sensory, in nature.  It recognises that changing a sound pattern, or accent, involves not only analytical mental processes but also more primitive, intuitive parts of the brain.  The learning of new sound patterns is greatly enhanced if these ‘other’ areas in the brain are tapped.

The training approach is called the ClearSpeak Method and is based on the ClearSpeak Model of Pronunciation Change ©.  The book covers all stages of the training process from the assessment of sounds that require change, to the drawing up of a training plan, to a series of 33 Sound Guides for training each sound (a total of 620 pages with over 240 illustrations).  Around 85 detailed techniques are provided.   Background information on phonetics and speech melody has been deliberately simplified for non-expert readers.  However, even those working in the pronunciation field may appreciate this no-frills explanation of these potentially complex subjects.

Each Sound Guide includes TROUBLE SHOOTER tips on how to change the speaker from typical error postures to the correct posture.  You simply identify the nature of the error and follow the corrective instructions.  There are shaded boxes called TECHNICAL TALK spread throughout the text, aimed mainly at trainers.  These give further insights into the topic being discussed and can be ignored by readers if they wish.  The book also gives comments on hot chestnuts like ‘Am I too old to change accent?’ and ‘Should I focus on speech melody or on changing individual sounds?’, ‘Which sounds do I change if I want to improve clarity but not change accent?’.  Arguments are provided and opinions offered.

All training techniques are aimed at producing Standard Neutral English which, as the name implies, does not represent any particular, identifiable accent.  It is the variety most speakers would regard as ‘good English’ anywhere in the world.  Self-help students will find it the most neutral model against which to train; whereas trainers working within a native English speaking country will have no difficulty in adjusting the techniques to suit local accent.  Guidance is provided on major English varieties for this purpose (‘Queen’s English’, General American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African English).

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Who it is for

The book is written in simple language and deliberately avoids the use of technical terms and jargon.  Descriptions are kept simple to provide essential information and there is no unnecessary detail.   The layout is clear with many headings, illustrations and short paragraphs.  Techniques have been given catchy names so they can be remembered easily e.g. Divide-and-conquer, Say-it-again-Sam, Smile-awhile.

The book’s easy-to-use writing style makes it accessible to a wide audience but this in no way reduces the value of its innovative techniques for even the most experienced teachers and trainers.  Those who will benefit are:

*        ESL language and pronunciation teachers as well as teachers of the severely hearing impaired.

*        Speech trainers, drama specialists and speech pathologists aiming to bring about high-level accent/pronunciation change.

*        Any person who wishes to improve their own English pronunciation, in particular those who speak English as their second language (ESL) and those who are severely hard of hearing.

The book will be invaluable for student teachers, speech pathologists and trainers as it provides comprehensive coverage of the entire training process. 

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Product details

The book is 620 pages in length and is printed in black print on high quality paper.  It is produced in plastic coated soft cover and is of larger than average size.  The book dimensions are 196mm by 267mm by 36mm.  The book contains over 240 line illustrations.

 Published in 2001 by ClearSpeak Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia. 

The ISBN is 0 9577970 0 1.

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Book outline

There are 21 Chapters arranged in nine Parts.

PART ONE:  THE ISSUES
PART TWO:  SOUNDS IN MOTION
PART THREE:  TRAINING APPROACH 
PART FOUR:  THE MODEL
PART FIVE:  ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING
PART SIX:  CREATING ENGLISH SOUNDS
PART SEVEN:  SOUND TRAINING GUIDES
PART EIGHT:  SPEECH MELODY
PART NINE:  CHANGING SPEECH MELODY

PART ONE:  THE ISSUES

CHAPTER 1             Exploring the boundaries

What the word pronunciation means and why the word ‘accent’ is a dirty word.  Considers whether all varieties of English are equal and the issues involved in deciding to change one’s sound system.

CHAPTER 2            All about end results

What to expect from pronunciation training and when to start (simultaneous with or following basic language training).  A brief discussion of issues that will influence the final training outcome.

CHAPTER 3            Choosing a sound system model

The criteria for selecting a training model and why Standard Neutral English has been chosen.

Back to Book Outline

PART TWO:  SOUNDS IN MOTION

CHAPTER 4            Coming to grips with phonetics

A simple, non-technical outline of speech sounds and their properties.  Introduces the IPA transcription ‘alphabet’ and explains key differences between vowels and consonants.

CHAPTER 5            Producing vowels

Describes features of English vowels and gives a simple explanation of single vowels, diphthongs and extended combinations (triphthongs).  Covers the use of ‘intrusive’ vowels in speech.

CHAPTER 6            Producing consonants

Describes features of English consonants in simple terms and presents the basic types of consonant.

CHAPTER 7            Connected speech flow

Illustrates the difference between ‘ideal’ and ‘loose’ production of sounds once they are placed within a speech flow.

CHAPTER 8            Voice quality

A brief discussion of voice and how it is influenced by the speaker’s cultural background.

Back to Book Outline

PART THREE:  TRAINING APPROACH 

CHAPTER 9            A practical look at goals and constraints

Helps you identify your training goals and select a training focus.  Provides a set of definitions that describes pronunciation as a behavioural outcome i.e. what is to be achieved.

Back to Book Outline

PART FOUR:  THE MODEL

CHAPTER 10           The ClearSpeak Model of Pronunciation Change

Explains why an integrated, holistic and multi-sensory training approach is necessary.  Outlines the six principles

of the ClearSpeak Model and how these are applied in the training method.

Back to Book Outline

PART FIVE:  ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING

CHAPTER 11           A look at overall needs

Provides a simple test for hearing loss and draws attention to issues to be considered before beginning assessment.  It also gives suggestions on how to record speech samples.

CHAPTER 12           Designing an assessment tool

Offers some practical tips for trainers who wish to develop their own assessment materials.  Suggests areas that should be covered in any assessment process.

CHAPTER 13           ClearSpeak Pronunciation Screening Test

This is a short self-score test that can be used by students to assess their own errors, or by a trainer on their behalf.  This screening test was developed especially for the book and is not available elsewhere.

It leads to a simple summary analysis of test results that effectively doubles as a training plan.

CHAPTER 14           Setting up a training program

Discusses the basic equipment needed for training and how to firm up a training program for yourself or others.  Provides trainers with information on what they can realistically tackle in group versus private tuition.  Highlights the importance of ‘speech minders’, or those who assist the student to achieve carryover of learnt skills into everyday speech.

Back to Book Outline

PART SIX:  CREATING ENGLISH SOUNDS

CHAPTER 15           Learning techniques

Shows how to develop auditory discrimination skills.  Provides eight basic speech training techniques (these underpin the specific techniques for training individual sounds that appear later in the Sound Guides).  Explains the concept and application of holistic training techniques.

CHAPTER 16           Learning specific sounds

Moves into more specific detail about how to train individual sounds.  One section is written as guidance for self-help students while the second focuses on a trainer’s perspective.

CHAPTER 17           Putting it all together

Describes a typical training session and how to practise new speech skills.

Back to Book Outline

PART SEVEN:  SOUND TRAINING GUIDES

Contains 33 Sound Guides in a common layout, one covering each English vowel and consonant (pair).  The following describes the content of each Guide.

 OUTLINE

Lists the nature of the sound and the bare facts on how to produce the sound.

 PRODUCTION TIPS

Provides multi-sensory guidance for producing the sound with many unique tips and techniques that go well beyond standard instructions.  (Note that conventional training books as a rule only provide simple instructions at the ‘bare facts’ level). 

 HOLISTIC HELP

These are holistic images that reinforce the nature of the sound being learnt.  They are a feature of the ClearSpeak Training Method and are described in full within the text:

            * Sound name

            * Holistic sound shape

            * Mirror signal

 SPECIAL CHALLENGES

Discusses problems that many speakers experience when producing the sound and provides special tips for these.  It includes exercises contrasting sounds that are typically confused.

 TRY IT ALL OUT

A series of sentences for practising the sound in all contexts.

 TROUBLE SHOOTING

A set of tips for specific production problems.  Common errors are described and remedies given.

 TECHNICAL TALK

Additional technical information about certain points raised in the Guide.  These short notes are aimed mainly at trainers and can be ignored by self-help students.

 QUICK CHECKLIST

A key-word checklist of critical things to remember when producing the sound.

Back to Book Outline

 PART EIGHT:  SPEECH MELODY

There is no intention to cover this subject in detail as the focus of the book is on sound production.  This Part nevertheless provides a useful overview of this complex subject in non-technical language.

CHAPTER 18           Stress and rhythm

An outline of speech stress and rhythm, with a particular focus on English.  Both word and sentence stress patterns are covered.   

CHAPTER 19           Intonation

Provides a simple outline of the basic tone patterns in English.  

Back to Book Outline

PART NINE:  CHANGING SPEECH MELODY

As with Speech Melody, this subject is not covered in detail but a number of basic techniques are provided.

CHAPTER 20          Tips for learning word stress

Outlines several training tips and offers exercises to improve the use of word stress.

 CHAPTER 21          Tips for learning intonation

Provides training tips and exercises to improve the use of English intonation.

APPENDICES

Five Appendices cover technical data on the IPA symbols and comparative data on major varieties of English i.e. ‘Queen’s English’, American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South African English.  Also, how to make recorded exercises for students’ home practice and marketing considerations for trainers.  There are references, an outline of where to find further resources, and an Index of all 85 techniques.

 Go to How to order for price and ordering details or carry on with the sample training tips below, taken from the book.

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