Handling global and local english pronunciation errors

Abstract

This paper discusses the issue of global and local errors in EFL pronunciation of Polish learners. It is argued that in school conditions explicit instruction and drawing the learner's attention to language patterns can save time and enhance progress. Since presenting patterns and rules can help the students handle the problems with global errors but not with local ones, it is worthwhile looking for patterns among the phenomena which are seemingly erratic and unpredictable. Classroom practice tells us that certain kinds of errors reappear, which makes it possible for the teacher to formulate useful hints for the students and even prevent many word-specific, local errors. In the main part of the paper, a list of frequent Polglish pronunciation mistakes (Sobkowiak, 2001) is used to elaborate a set of practical tips for Polish learners of English. The tips refer to English phonotactics and spelling-phonology relations.