Understanding Spoken English

Boyer Educational Resources have developed books and audio products for learning English grammar, pronunciation and everyday spoken English. Our resources can be used by students studying independently as answers to exercises are included in all of our student books. View and order your learning and English teaching resources now.

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The 'Understanding Spoken English - a focus on everyday language in context' series is an excellent English teaching resource designed to help students of English understand spoken language as it is encountered in everyday business and social situations in English speaking environments around the world. In addition to helping students to discover the meaning of many widely used everyday expressions, this English teaching resource provides valuable information about the social and business conventions of spoken English such as, changing the topic of conversation, agreeing and disagreeing politely, checking meaning, giving feedback and making 'small talk'. Features of English pronunciation are also examined within the context of complete conversations.

The accompanying audio recordings present speakers with a variety of English accents from around the world, including North America, Australia and South Africa, as well a variety of British English accents. Information about the notable differences in pronunciation between different varieties of spoken English is provided.

This English teaching resource material is recommended for individual study (as answers to all exercises are included), or as a supplementary class text to provide valuable listening practice and analysis of English as it is spoken around the world. The material will also assist students with learning English grammar.

Using this English teaching resource students will:

• Discover the meaning of many everyday expressions that are widely used around the world in business and social situations, as well as the media.
• Gain valuable information about the conventions of spoken English in business and social situations.
• Learn strategies for improving listening skills and overcoming pronunciation problems.
• Feel increasing confidence as communication skills improve.
• Be assisted in learning English grammar through practical situations

 

UNDERSTANDING SPOKEN ENGLISH
BOOK ONE CONTENTS

GLOSSARY OF LANGUAGE TERMS		6 - 7
UNIT 1	STARTING SOMETHING NEW	8 - 18
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	10
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Spoken words and syllables B) Contracted words in spoken English C) Developing awareness of the stress patterns of English D) Names and syllables E) Stress in sentences	15 - 18
Reference Page - Understanding the stress patterns of English		19
UNIT 2	TALKING ABOUT THE FAMILY	20 - 29
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	22
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Question tags in conversational speech B) Hearing and pronouncing syllables correctly C) Hearing and using correct stress in words	27 - 29
UNIT 3	TALKING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE	30 - 39
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	32
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Using pronouns B) Pronouns - pronunciation and spelling C) Changing the topic during a conversation D) Giving an opinion	37 - 39
LANGUAGE REVIEW ONE - Units 1 - 3		40 - 41
UNIT 4	TALKING ABOUT SHOPPING	42 - 52
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	44
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Question tags - revision B) Using intonation to communicate meaning C) Developing awareness of 'weak forms' in spoken English D) The linking of words in connected speech	49 - 52
Reference Page - Connected speech		53
UNIT 5	TALKING ABOUT HEALTH AND SICKNESS	54 - 63
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	56
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Some intonation patterns of English B) Incomplete sentences in spoken English C) Phrasal verbs D) Stages in a medical consultation	61 - 63
UNIT 6	WORRYING ABOUT MONEY	64 - 73
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	66
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Giving feedback B) Giving reasons - Justifying actions and opinions C) Making suggestions D) Agreeing and disagreeing politely	71 - 73
LANGUAGE REVIEW TWO - Units 4 - 6		74 - 75
UNIT 7	TALKING ABOUT PLACES AND PREFERENCES	76 - 85
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	78
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Using intonation to check meaning B) Talking about preferences C) Ellipsis - leaving words out in short replies	83 - 85
UNIT 8	MAKING AN ARRANGEMENT BY TELEPHONE	86 - 95
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	88
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Stages in a phone request for service B) Checking information given on the telephone C) Using polite language when requesting service D) Pronunciation of words ending with 'ed'	93 - 95
UNIT 9	AT A SOCIAL GATHERING	96 - 106
	Conversation with 'everyday' expressions	98
	Focus on Spoken Language: A) Making small talk - appropriate topics B) Starting a conversation and keeping it going C) Revision - Using 'question tags' to begin a conversation D) Phrasal verbs - a note on correct word order	103 -106
LANGUAGE REVIEW THREE - Unit 7 - 9		108 - 109
Reference Lists - everyday expressions with definitions		122 - 130
Reference Page - Some pronunciation differences between varieties of English		131
Phonemic Chart of English Sounds		132