Unit 4: Communicating Across Difference

Unit four focuses on the praxis of listening across difference; peer tutors will build an awareness of some uniquely challenging features of American English and learn some techniques for communicating effectively across Englishes as both a listener and speaker.

Prework

To prepare for our forth session, please:

Review our Goals and Essential Questions
Take about 15 minutes to complete the New York Times dialect survey to create your own personal dialect map. Try to go with your first instinct and don’t overthink the questions.
Consider these questions once you’ve completed the survey and generated your personal dialect map.

Training Materials

Homework

As a follow-up to this session, please complete the following activities:

Take 15 or so minutes and test your listening skills by listening to a couple of dialect samples here; try to pick at least one that you are not especially familiar with.
Once you have covered that material, please post in the general reflection and unit 4 discussion forums.
Don't forget to look at the prework for unit 5.

Go Further

American English Dialects

"Do You Speak American?" Episodes one, two, and three. This PBS documentary examines the dialects of American English and the attitudes and cultures around them. There is also a companion website and book.
American English - Wikipedia. Linguists love updating Wikipedia for some reason, so have fun exploring.

American English Pronunciation

Teaching Pronunciation: A Course Book and Reference Guide by Marianne Celce-Murcia, Donna M. Brinton, and Janet M. Goodwin. This text provides information on teaching American English pronunciation to English language learners.

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