英語學習者可以通過自拍視頻來提高發音技巧

【來源：易教網 更新時間：2017-11-29】

English learners can improve their pronunciation skills with training exercises used by singers. A smartphone with a camera can help, too.

英語學習者可以通過歌手常用的訓練方法來提高自己的發音技巧。帶相機的智能手機也有這樣的幫助作用哦。

These suggestions come from Michael Berman. He works in the Reading, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Linguistics Department at Montgomery College in the American state of Maryland.

這些建議來自邁克爾·伯曼，他在美國馬里蘭州蒙哥馬利學院閱讀、英語第二語言和語言學系工作。

Many students of a foreign language have trouble with word stress and intonation – raising and lowering the sound of your voice when you speak.

很多外語種學生在單詞重音和語調方面存在學習難題，也就是對人們說話時的聲音的升高和降低把握不準。

Michael Berman believes that such problems are not as serious as some people might think. Up to a third of his students, he says, have increased their ability to be understood by using two simple actions: slowing down and speaking up.

伯曼認為，這類問題沒有想象得那么嚴重。他說，他有三分之一的學生通過兩種簡單途徑就能提升他們被人理解的能力，這就是說慢點和說大聲點。

Common problem:

常見問題：

VOA Learning English's video series Let's Learn English tells about a situation that many English learners have probably experienced:

美國之音英語學習視頻系列 Let's Learn English談到了許多英語學習者可能經歷過的一種情況：

Anna: So, what's wrong? You look sad.

安娜：怎么啦？你看上去不太高興啊。

Pete: I don't have a job.

皮特：我沒有工作。

Anna: Sorry, I can't hear you.

安娜：抱歉，我沒聽清楚。

Pete: I do not have a job.

皮特：我沒有工作。

In the video, Anna asks Pete to repeat his sentence because she did not understand him.

在視頻中，安娜讓皮特再說一次，因為她沒聽懂。

And like many English learners, pronouncing words correctly is not Pete's problem.

和許多英語學習者一樣，正確發音不是皮特遇到的問題。

The reason Anna does not understand Pete is because he is not speaking loudly.

安娜沒聽懂的原因是皮特聲音太小。

In Pete's case, he is not raising his voice because he is sad about not having a job.

對皮特來說，他聲音小是因為他對自己沒有工作很難過。

For some English learners, the problem of speaking softly is that the speaker appears to be showing weakness, says Berman. English learners may want to hide their mistakes by speaking quickly or softly. Or, Berman adds, they are bringing customs from their native language.

伯曼表示，對于一些英語學習者來說，輕聲說話是說話者似乎有點緊張。英語學習者可能想通過說快點或說小聲點來掩飾他們的錯誤，或者他們帶來了自己母語的習慣。

Whatever the reason, the result is this: English learners might not be understandable to a native speaker.

無論是什么原因，結果是，英語學習者可能不能被母語人士聽懂。

Berman says there are several different ways to successfully deal with these problems.

伯曼表示，要成功處理這些問題有幾種不同的方法。

Tip #1 Use strategies that come from vocal music training

建議1 采用出自聲樂培訓的策略

The first is simple: focus on the speed and volume levels of one's voice.

第一點很簡單：注重說話的速度和音量

By thinking about slowing down and speaking louder, you can slowly change your speech over time.

想著說慢點和說大聲點，你就能隨著時間推移慢慢改變自己的語速。

In addition to thinking about how you speak, you can also use strategies from the music industry. In voice training, Berman says, singers will often train by opening their mouth wider than they usually do. This enables them to get a better tone and a better pitch when they perform.

除了想著如何說話，你還可以采用出自聲樂行業的策略。伯曼表示，在聲音訓練中，歌手經常會接受到把嘴巴張得比平常大一點的培訓，這樣他們就能在表演時發出更好的音調和音高。

Singers will often imagine their voice coming up on a string to a target 3 to 5 meters away. When English learners imagine their voices hitting a target at a distance, Berman says, they often improve their ability to speak louder.

歌手們經常會想象把他們的聲音發向三五米外的目標。當英語學習者想象讓自己的聲音擊中遠處的目標時，他們通常就能提高自己的聲音。

Tip #2 Use Selfie Videos

建議2 使用自拍視頻

In an earlier Education story, we discussed the value of self-testing.

在此前的教育新聞中，我們討論了自我測試的價值。

Educational consultant Sarah Lynn said that testing yourself often is one of the best ways to learn. Lynn teaches at Harvard University's Bridge Program in Massachusetts.

教育顧問薩拉·林恩表示，經常自我測試是最好的學習方法之一。林恩在哈佛大學教授銜接課程。

So, how can you take this idea and use it to improve your pronunciation?

那么這要怎么做才能改善發音呢？

One way is by taking a selfie video, says Michael Berman.

伯曼表示，自拍就是其中一種辦法。

All you need to do is place the electronic device 1-2 meters from where you stand. Then, record yourself speaking.

你要做的就是把電子設備放到距你一兩米之外的地方。然后錄下自己說話。

When you listen back to the recording, you can get valuable information about how you sound when you speak. You can share the videos with friends or your teachers. They can give you advice, too.

當你回看視頻時，你就能得到一些關于你說話時如何發音的有價值信息。你可以把這則視頻與朋友或老師分享，他們也能給你建議。

The value of this practice, adds Berman, increases because young people – often called "millennials – place a high value on the idea of posting videos on social media.

伯曼補充說，這種做法的價值在提升，因為年輕人極度重視在社交媒體上發布視頻的想法。

When millennials know their video will appear on social media, he explains, they are likely to repeat the performance many times before filming. "If you're talking about English intelligibility issues, that kind of repetition and practice and focus is amazing", Berman says.

伯曼解釋說，當千禧一代知道他們的視頻將會出現在社交媒體上時，他們就更可能在錄像前重復多次練習。伯曼說，“談到英語清晰度問題，這種重復練習和集中精力是很驚人的。”

So, give the vocal music and selfie video tips a try, and let us know how they work for you!

所以，試試聲樂和自拍視頻這兩條建議，然后告訴我們對你來說效果如何。