Within a word

Sometimes, students will stress the wrong syllable within a word.

Example: tel e phone      instead of tel e phone

You can assist your learner by clapping as you say the word. The clap you use for the stressed syllable should be louder than the clap you use for the unstressed syllable.

Some rules:

Learners may even break the word up incorrectly by adding too many syllables to it or by reducing it to fewer syllables than it actually is. Clapping while stating each syllable may be useful in situations like this as well.

  • Accent most two syllable words on the first syllable (paper).
  • Accent compound nouns on the first part (sunshine, oatmeal, railroad).
  • Accent compound verbs on the second part (overcome, undertake).
  • With words that have a noun and verb form:
    • Accent the noun on the first syllable.
    • Accent the verb on the second syllable.

Within a sentence

1. CATS DRINK MILK.
2. The CATS DRINK MILK.
3. The CATS DRINK the MILK.
4. The CATS will DRINK the MILK.
5. The CATS will have DRUNK the MILK.

You will notice that the time it takes to say a sentence depends on the number of syllables that receive stress, not necessarily the number of words there are in a sentence. The length of time it takes to say each of these sentences does not change despite the fact there are more words in the later sentences.

Points to Consider 3:

Generally, words and syllables that carry meaning are spoken at a louder volume and held for a longer length of time than the other syllables. These words include:

  • Nouns (Bill, Regina, toy)
  • Main verbs (read, write)

3 Dodson, Margaret et al. The English as a Second Language Tutor Training Manual (Regina: The Regina Public Library, 1988.)