Universidad de Jaén

1. Phonetics and phonology. Accents of current English.

1.1. Phonology. Phonemes. Segmental features. Suprasegmental features.

1.2. Phonetics. Allophones. Articulatory, acoustic and auditory phonetics.

1.3. English in the British Isles. General features.

1.4. English in North America. General features.

1.5. English in Australia and New Zealand. General features.

1.6. English as a Second or Foreign Language. General features.

2. The English vocalic system.

2.1. The distinctive features of vowels, phonetically and phonologically.

2.2. Pure vowels: British, American and International English.

2.3. Compound vowels: British, American and International English.

3. The English consonantal system.

3.1. Distinctive features of consonants, phonetically and phonologically.

3.2. Basic differences between consonants: British, American and International English.

3.3. Main kinds of consonants. Basic features.

4. Accentuation, rhythm and connected speech.

4.1. The syllable from a phonological perspective.

4.2. Accentuation in words. The notion of prominence.

4.3. Accentuation across words. The notion of rhythm.

4.4. Features of connected speech: assimilation, elision and associated phenomena.

5. Intonation.

5.1. The tone unit. Elements and basic definition.

5.2. Basic types of tones in English.

5.3. The functions of intonation

The theory sessions will deal with the contents of the syllabus, through the explanation, illustration and exemplification of concepts. They will be supported by the electronic material that students will find in the virtual teaching space for the subject (presentations, classnotes and exercises). The interest and active role taken by the students will be appreciated.

The practical sessions will centre on the students' work around phonological transcription and the obligatory end-of-term group presentations. This transcription practice will have both a passive and an active nature, as the students will be asked to analyse transcribed texts and also to transcribe texts autonomously. The group presentations will be organised during the semester, through group composition, topic selection and orientations by the teacher.

Students with special educational needs should contact the Student Attention Service (Servicio de Atención y Ayudas al Estudiante) in order to receive the appropriate academic support

The assessment process will take into account the following basic elements:

1. Active attendance and participation, both in the theory and practical sessions, and delivery of the obligatory texts in transcription, which will be done in class. The total value of this part will be 20% of the final mark.

2. Final written exam. A mock exam will be placed in the virtual teaching space, for the students' orientation. The areas covered in the exam will be the answer to theory- and practice-orientated issues and the transcription of a brand-new written text. The total value of this part will be 60% of the final mark.

3. Group presentations at the end of term. Both a global and an individual assessment will be given, where the quality of the group's work and the student's use of English and communication abilities will be taken into account. The total value of this part will be 20% of the final mark.

Those students who cannot comply with element 1 above for academic or personal reasons can have an alternative assessment plan. These students will have to tell the teachers about this circumstance in the first four weeks of the course.