Feedback on audio recording (4 Articles, Charlie the Brave)

[Torsten]

Hi,

How do you like the audio version of Articles or Charlie the Brave?

Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Regards,
Torsten
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Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Yankee]

Hi Torsten

I'd recommend re-recording this one. The reason is this:

The focus of this lesson is articles -- the definite article (the) and the indefinite article (a/an). In my opinion, if you want to illustrate the use of these articles in an ESL recording, then ideally the recording should reflect the pronunciation that would normally be used in speech. However, in the recording the indefinite article "a" is repeatedly pronounced the same as "ey" rather than the usual schwa ("uh").

As far as I know, in both AmE as well as BE the "ey" pronunciation would only be used emphatically -- i.e. to emphasize that there is really only one of something, for example.
The recording sends a confusing message to the ESL student with regard to the pronunciation of the article "a".

In addition, the very first mention of the word "the" gives the pronunciation as "thee". Last but not least, perhaps a small disturbance for my British cousins might be the pronunciation of the word "Thames".
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Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Molly]

I agree with Amy. Re-record it.

Hey, Amy, what's your take on the underlined part of this?

[Yankee]

Hi Molly

I'd say people in my neck of the woods still use "uh" rather than "ey" for normal conversation. I'd tend to agree with the idea that some newscasters might use the "ey" pronunciation more often -- but would also suggest that this may simply reflect the fact that (1) they are reading and/or (2) they may unconsciously tend to try to emphasize things more often than your everyday, run-of-the-mill talker would.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, and native speaker of American English

[Stew.t.]

Hi Torsten

I must concur that some of the pronunciation for the explanations should be clearer

But that the story could use the more natural way that Brandee says "the" and a/an".

Some of her previous recordings were better.

On a different note, referring back to what you mentioned in a previous thread concerning students exposing themselves and being exposed to a variety of accents. As this site has different versions of writing, maybe you should consider this when creating audio files.

And I was wondering how you wish the stories to sound, easily comprehensible or emotive?
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Please meet Stewart Tunncilff

[Yashomati]

Hello Mr.Tarsten,
Good after noon.It's 1 P.M.now in California, USA.Now I come to know properly abt " Articals".The story" Charlie the Brave" is full of with definite "the" & indefinit "a, an" articles.First of all I'm reading the whole lesson or artical 2-3 times & then i'm listening to the audio lesson sent by u.This time I was able to understand Brandee's speech
John's compnay is going to give a $1000 bonus this year.
The Himalaya is the highest mountain in the world.
The sun gives us energy.
I'm afraid of the roaring lion who is seating under the tree.
Mohan is a boy but Sheela is a girl.
Plz eat an orange.It's a health fruit.
It's a rainy season. take an umbrella when u r out of the house.
i need a few girls 4 help in the kitchen.
An American English is hard to understand.
You are decorated as a bride but where is the groom?
I need an active person for my" Great Clips" shop.
The lady who is standing besides u is my mother.
An animal, an elephant, an apple, an Ink-pot, the Indians, a merchant, a driver, an artist, the moon, the sky etc.
Plez tell me if there is any mistake.
Yashomati