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We are currently not accepting external recordings during testing, we apologise, but feel free to use all the free materials - including recording yourself!! Enjoy!

volume_upOn SOME mobile devices control browser VOLUME with "Call volume"
(not "Media").

Prosody Levels

The 5 levels of prosody

What level are you?


Bad-Prosody...

When Prosody goes wrong...

Bad Prosody

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lightbulb_outline Did you know...? On some mobile devices, browser audio VOLUME might be controlled by "CALL VOLUME" (and not "MEDIA")
lessonAudio/audio_badProsody.mp3

useful?
Prosody
call_made call_missed_outgoing
arrow_upward haaad tiiime
broken_image Thanks. a WONderful
arrow_downward I
call_madecall_missed_outgoing
haaadtiiime
Thanks.aWONderful
I

Key Features

Impact

Strange chunking|pausing
Pausing is a key method to communicate a complete idea/concept to the listener. However, poor chunking means that incomplete ideas are signaled as ready to be 'processed'. These incomplete ideas can easily confuse the listener.
Confusing intonation
Strange intonation will confuse the listener as to what your actual message is.
Inappropriate pitch
By focusing on some words and 'hiding' others the listener is left feeling unsure as to what was meant, or even be completely confused.
Misleading expression
Poor choice of volume or length is another way to confuse the listener about the actual message.



Non-Prosody...

Robotic & Unnatural

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lightbulb_outline Did you know...? On some mobile devices, browser audio VOLUME might be controlled by "CALL VOLUME" (and not "MEDIA")
lessonAudio/audio_robotic.mp3

useful?
Prosody
arrow_upward
broken_image Thanks. I had a WONderful time.
arrow_downward
Sounds
thanks i had a wonderful time
Thanks.IhadaWONderfultime.
thanksihadawonderfultime

Key Features

Impact

Flat pitch
The voice remains at the same pitch, this means the listener does not know what is important in what is being said.
Syllable timed
English is a stress-timed language, perfectly measured syllables make the person seem like a robot and can be very confusing unless the listener concentrates.
Flat intonation
A flat intonation implies boredom (normal intonation is downward).



Basic Prosody

Clear & Interesting

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lightbulb_outline Did you know...? On some mobile devices, browser audio VOLUME might be controlled by "CALL VOLUME" (and not "MEDIA")
lessonAudio/audio_clear.mp3

useful?
Prosody
arrow_upward Thanks! WONderful
broken_image I had a time.
arrow_downward
Sounds
thanks i had a wonderful time
Thanks!WONderful
Ihadatime.
thanksihadawonderfultime

Key Features

Impact

Use of HIGH pitch
A high pitch focuses the listener's attention on what is important. It really helps understanding.
Words are isolated
This is not very natural - but in situations where we want to be very clear we will separate the words.
Chunking|Pausing
In order to be clear the speaker will group words into chunks, or ideas, with slight pauses. This really helps understanding.



Good Prosody

Natural Prosody

Natural Prosody

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lightbulb_outline Did you know...? On some mobile devices, browser audio VOLUME might be controlled by "CALL VOLUME" (and not "MEDIA")
lessonAudio/audio_natural.mp3

useful?
Prosody
call_received
arrow_upward Thanks! WONderful
broken_image I had time.
arrow_downward a
Sounds
thanks i /j/- h/ə/ d- /ə/ wonder ful- time
call_received
Thanks!WONderful
Ihadtime.
a
thanksi/j/-h/ə/d-/ə/wonderful-time

Key Features

Impact

Stress timed
In English in order to sound natural the speaker must use stress timing. Basically the chunks of language (the separate key ideas) have a rhythm - the opposite to stress timed is where the rhythm is created by the number of syllables (syllable timed).
Weak sounds
In order to squeeze all these sounds into a limited space the speaker will start to use weak forms (which are easier / faster to say)
Use of LOW pitch
The use of LOW pitch is the opposite of HIGH pitch, using low pitch allows the spekaer to move even more smoothly. This makes it much eaiser to achieve stress timing.
Linking sounds
Again, once we start speaking naturally we need to move between words much quicker. A key method is to link one word to the next word if possible.
Down intonation
Down intonation, which is basically letting the 'energy' of the word fall, is the default for words in English. A flat intonation shows disinterest - at best.



Great Prosody

Expressive Prosody

Expressive Prosody

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lightbulb_outline Did you know...? On some mobile devices, browser audio VOLUME might be controlled by "CALL VOLUME" (and not "MEDIA")
lessonAudio/audio_expressive.mp3

useful?
Prosody
call_missed_outgoing
arrow_upward Thanks! WOooNderful
broken_image I had time.
arrow_downward a
Sounds
thanks i /j/- h/ə/ d- /ə/ wonder ful- time
call_missed_outgoing
Thanks!WOooNderful
Ihadtime.
a
thanksi/j/-h/ə/d-/ə/wonderful-time

Key Features

Impact

Range of word intonation
By modulating the 'energy' when we say a word we can express questions, doubt, sarcasm, interest etc
Use of volume
Volume allows us to really focus the listener on a key point.
Use of length
Length is a great way to focus attention and to keep a word in the listener's mind.
Creative pausing
Pausing is a great way to add emphasis because it can allow an idea to really 'sink in' to the listener.

Try For Free

Time to get some feedback!

Your Turn

Listen:
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play_arrow
pause
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Listen:
volume_up
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x0.5
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x1.0
lightbulb_outline Did you know...? On some mobile devices, browser audio VOLUME might be controlled by "CALL VOLUME" (and not "MEDIA")
lessonAudio/audio_expressive.mp3

useful?
Prosody
call_missed_outgoing
arrow_upward Thanks! WOooNderful
broken_image I had time.
arrow_downward a
Sounds
thanks i /j/- h/ə/ d- /ə/ wonder ful- time
call_missed_outgoing
Thanks!WOooNderful
Ihadtime.
a
thanksi/j/-h/ə/d-/ə/wonderful-time
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/lessonAudio/audio_initHolding.mp3