New user? Register as member

Harnessing Phonetics to Speak More Clearly and Accurately

Phonetics is the foundation of English speech yet it was never taught in mainstream schools in Singapore and other countries where English is not a native language. In its place, schools teach English speech by roe, ie. teachers say the word and students repeat after them. This meant that we learn to speak more accurately only when we got good teachers. Conversely, when we learnt from a teacher who spoke badly, we take that mistake with us through life.

Everybody knows the importance of effective communication in just about everything. When it comes to being effective, however, the choice narrows down to who can engage the audience the most clearly and consistently. So, phonetics is crucial in developing that accuracy.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most courses on phonetics are academic in nature, and this makes learning it unappealing. Until now. This course Harnessing Phonetics to Speak More Clearly and Accurately uses phonetics as a tool while learning it as symbols of speech. Joseph Wong has over 40 years’ teaching experience in phonetics and is adept at using it the IPA both as a tool for effective communication as well as an academic lesson in learning its sounds.

Objective

Upon completing this training, participants will:

• Learn all 49 sounds of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
• Know how to read and write/decipher phonetic transcriptions.
• Learn other speech rules that require use of the IPA.
• Understand how to articulate words more accurately and blend its use into everyday conversations.

Outline

Introducing the IPA

• How each symbol sounds
• Vowels
  • Monophthongs
  • Diphthongs
  • Triphthongs
• Consonants
  • The missing English consonants in phonetics and why
  • Special uses (d, t, s, z)
• How to write phonetic transcriptions using the symbols
• Learn exceptions to the rule

Received Pronunciation and American English

• Knowing the differences between Standard English and American English
• A short study of Singapore English and Singlish

Voice and Voiceless

• How to identify these words and use these rules

Stress & Modulation

• Purpose of stress
• Usefulness of modulation in communication

Common Speech Rules

• Rules attached to spelling
• Linking

Deciphering phonetic transcriptions

• Read and write phonetic transcriptions
• Game to bed down the lessons

Who should attend

Professionals, executives, admin and support staff, secretaries, sales managers, supervisors, and those who need and desire to deliver clear and articulated speech daily through accurate and articulated communication by enforcing International Pronunciation Alphabet (IPA) standards.

This workshop is also excellent for those who want to finally learn a subject that was never taught in school but is so much a part of our lives.

Profile of Joseph Wong

Corporate Storyteller, Presentation Specialist, Speaker, and Coach specializing in Communications, Leadership, and Phonetics

Joseph spent 36 years at Standard Chartered Bank managing traditional and innovative banking spanning Retail, Wholesale, Commercial banking, Marketing, Business Re-engineering, ISO9001 accreditation, Process Management, Sales Management, Communication, Micro-learning not just in Singapore but globally.

When he left his banking career in 2015, he was Director of the Wholesale Banking Proposal Management team that responded to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in Cash Management, Trade Management and Securities Services businesses and developing training programmes in Digital Learning. He planned, designed and created bite-sized (micro) learning to complement classroom learning on sales effectiveness, business writing, storytelling, the art of asking why, and creating powerful presentations which are still being used by employees at Standard Chartered Bank globally.

Joseph is now a Communications and Leadership coach and is one of only a handful of Phonetics coaches in Singapore who has delivered close to 400 Phonetics training publicly since 1985. He also developed more exhaustive and far-reaching communications programmes such as Corporate Storytelling, Reasoning Skills for Children and is currently the anchor coach in a WSQ-certified Phonics and Phonetics course in Early Childhood Intervention for Pre-School teachers under Chelsea Academia. Joseph is also the author of two books - I’m So Ready For Life, that helps children hone their critical and creative thinking, and The Three Monsters that Destroy Your Career, a must-have set of qualities and expectations for graduates starting on their first job.

Today, his focus on leadership and business communication helps individuals and organisations improve their communication, selling and leadership skills. He co-developed a sales app called Delapitch and launched it at the 2022 Singapore Business Show in September 2022, under a selling philosophy FOSTER Method that he developed. He has delivered lectures and training programmes to local and regional participants, both work teams and executive levels since 2015. He is both ACTA and TESOL certified.