Activity F

Intonation

This activity looks at two concepts to do with intonation. It shows first that intonation is important for forming questions and second that intonation facilitates expressive speech. Even more experienced ESL learners may want to work on the latter area.

Talk, demonstrations

Materials and equipment

Flip chart and markers

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

The following activity is adapted from the Regina Public Library’s English as a Second Language Tutor Training Manual.

  1. Introduce intonation as the pitch or the rising and falling of the voice as we speak. Intonation creates the melody and contour of the language.
  2. English speakers use the following system of intonation. Three tones are involved – normal, high and low. In English, there are two main intonation patterns.
  3. Show the first pattern – Rising-Falling intonation
    • English uses this pattern in statements, in questions beginning with question words and in lists.
    • Use an example like one of the ones below.
    • Write the sentences on the flip chart.
    • Ask someone to try to say the sentence without a rise and fall in their voice. It should be difficult.
    • Diagram the sentence by putting a line over it as in the examples. The line goes up and down with the intonation.
    • Mention how the rise and fall cue the speaker into the meaning of the sentence and how to respond to it.
      Example: The boy is lazy.
      Example: What time will you call me?
      Example: I packed an umbrella, a raincoat, and rain boots.
  4. Show the second pattern – Rising intonation
    • English uses this pattern in questions answered by yes or no and in questions with words in the same order as they are found in statements.
    • Using the flip chart, diagram the questions as in the examples.
    • Suggest to tutors that they practise with their learners, using their hands to show the rising and falling of the voice or using a diagram like the ones you draw on the flip chart.