The PRO-VOC method: Combining pronunciation and vocabulary teaching

Abstract

This paper proposes a new method for the combined teaching of pronunciation and vocabulary to learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). While there is commonly strong emphasis on the teaching of vocabulary, pronunciation teaching is frequently neglected in the EFL classroom. The proposed method aims to address such imbalance which may affect learners' general fluency skills, degree of intelligibility and communicative competence. The paper provides a detailed account of the new method which argues in favour of organising new vocabulary according to some aspect of the phonological form of the word. It discusses the major principles the method is founded upon (i.e., categorisation and selected learning strategies) and presents two examples to illustrate its application. Finally, it elaborates on the potential advantages this method may have for the acquisition of pronunciation and vocabulary and presents the major procedural steps the teacher can follow when implementing this method.