How to Teach a Learner of English Correct Word Stress

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Listen carefully to recognize the error.

   This kind of error will sound like this: instead of saying beHIND, he will say BEhind, or even BE-HIND.
2. 2

   Step 2: Let him know that this is an error in a kind way.

   He may think he's ok since he says all the right sounds, but the word stress is wrong. , Any dictionary will show the syllables of a word (be.hind) and which one is stressed (be.hind'). ,, You may need to do this several times, and remind him often. , There are no easy rules to memorize for word stress; it's just something he must learn when he learns a new word, like the spelling. , "Am I saying that word right?" would be a good phrase for him to memorize.
3. 3

   Step 3: Show him how this is indicated in a dictionary.

4. 4

   Step 4: Keep a list of some of his most common errors and show it to him.

5. 5

   Step 5: Help him say the word right by saying it slowly and letting him repeat after you.

6. 6

   Step 6: Tell him that we automatically know the correct stress as native speakers

7. 7

   Step 7: but he must learn the stress for every word.

8. 8

   Step 8: Show him how to ask you if he's saying a word with the correct stress.

Detailed Guide

About the Author