Phonetics is a branch of linguistics, and it is a science which deals with speech sounds' production. In ESL (English as a second language) and EFL (English as a foreign language) contexts, phonetics has received much attention due to spread of English all over the world by the 20th century, and people‘s desire to be a part of its community.

    In ESL and EFL learning context, phonetics helps learners to develop their target language primary skills; especially oracy ones. The lesson which is entitled “Phonetics” allows ESP (English for Specific Purposes) learners to be familiar with English speech sounds –relevant notions /concepts, including speech production systems and mechanisms involved within. These notions/concepts have been differently developed through a number of researchers including, Daniel Jones (1881, 1967) and Peter Roach (1983, 1989, 1993, 1998), their works have been considered as the seeds of English phonetics which provide insights to other studies. 

    The present course is entitled "Phonetics', and it is divided into two chapters; the first chapter "Phonetics Scope" deals with phonetics as a science and identifies its branches in the light of speech production process. However, the second one "Production of Speech Sounds" is divided into two sections; the first section describes speech mechanisms while the second one deals with English speech sounds'articulation and classification.

    By dealing with this course, ESP learners are required to acquire competences that serve their target language leaning at its basis i.e. language basic sounds and basic form (oral form), this on the one hand.  On the other hand, learners are allowed to enrich their knowledge in terms of theory and practice, since the course  provides concepts/ notions that describe systems and processes involved in speech sounds’ production , then their appliance (activating of speech organs/mechanisms) in the relevant context (English Speech sounds articulation).

Target audience: First year (1st ) Science of Matter (Common Core).

General objectives of the course : at the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  •  Identify the different categories of English sounds.
  • Describe the processes of English sounds' production.
  • Recongize mechanisms involved in English sounds' articulation process.
  • Produce English sounds' patterns accurately.
  • Compare between English sounds production processes.
  • Differenciate  between English sounds' pattern.