Talk about it
Word stress is very important for comprehensibility (for understanding and for being understood)!
How difficult is word stress for you?
Think about your language(s). Does your language have word stress?
When you are learning words, do you try to remember how the word is pronounced, including the word stress? How do you do that?
Look at the examples in the image to the right. Do you use any of these?
I use a dot • over the stressed syllable.
I underline the stressed syllable.
I put an áccent mark on the stressed syllable.
I put an ‘accent mark be’fore the stressed ‘syllable.
I do something else. (explain)
I don’t do anything now, but I’m going to!
Here are some other expressions you can use:
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Giving your opinion |
So I think… It seems to me… In my language… |
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Checking |
Do you mean….? Are you asking…? Are you talking about…? |
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Thinking time |
Hmmmmm… Let me think (about that). I’m not really sure… I haven’t really thought about that before. |
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Complimenting |
That’s a good question. Good point. |
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Choosing not to answer |
(change the subject) I could use a cup of coffee! I’d rather not talk about that. |
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Involving other people |
What do you think? How about you? |