USING SONGS AND AUDIO MATERIALS TO IMPROVE PRONUNCIATION AND INTONATION
Keywords:
pronunciation, intonation, songs, audio materials, EFL, stress, rhythm, connected speech, speaking skills, listening skills, fluency, English language teaching.Abstract
Pronunciation and intonation are essential components of effective spoken communication in English. However, many English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners experience difficulties producing accurate sounds, appropriate word stress, natural rhythm, and effective intonation. Traditional pronunciation instruction may sometimes focus heavily on repetition and isolated words, which can limit learners’ exposure to natural spoken English. Songs and audio materials provide engaging and authentic resources that can help learners develop both segmental and suprasegmental aspects of pronunciation. This article examines the role of songs and audio materials in improving English pronunciation and intonation. It discusses the benefits of repetition, rhythm, stress, connected speech, pitch variation, and imitation through musical and authentic listening materials. The article also presents practical classroom activities, including lyric analysis, listening and repetition, shadowing, gap-filling, stress identification, and dialogue imitation. The article argues that the systematic integration of songs and audio materials into EFL lessons can increase learners’ pronunciation accuracy, listening awareness, speaking fluency, motivation, and confidence.
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