Meaning is made with more than words

This blog post provides an activity that can be used in the classroom to help learners use intonation to show attitude.
Nov 2
It can be easy in a crowded curriculum to overlook pronunciation.  And often when we do focus on it, the emphasis is on correctly pronouncing sounds and words.

But meaning is conveyed with more than just words.  The way we say something can change the meaning.   We use intonation patterns to show our emotion or attitude.

So, here’s a quick activity you can do in your class that helps your learners understand that the same words can have a very different meaning depending on how they are said.

Task set up:

Tell learners that they can only reply with the words ‘thank you’.

Then say: ‘Happy birthday.  Here’s your present.  It’s $1,000,000’ (or a similar amount in the local currency)

Students will probably reply with a very genuinely happy ‘thank you’.

Now say: ‘Happy birthday.  Here’s your present.  It’s an old piece of chewed gum’ (or something equally as disgusting)

Students will probably reply with a hesitant ‘thank you’.

Point out how the response differed even though the words were the same.

Next, ask your students to try.  Get them moving around the classroom offering different birthday presents to each other (you can prepare prompt cards if you like).  Remind them they can only respond with ‘thank you’.

In feedback, ask if anyone had any funny presents and responses, and highlight again how the intonation changes depending on our reaction.

Do you have any other tasks you use to practice intonation? Why not share with the community. Or take one of our courses on pronunciation.