The Compton P-ESL (Pronouncing English as a Second Language) method is a structured approach to accent modification developed by Dr. Arthur J. Compton. It is designed to help non-native English speakers improve their pronunciation and intelligibility in spoken English. This method emphasizes individualized instruction tailored to each learner’s specific accent patterns and needs.
Key Features
- Assessment and Analysis: The P-ESL method begins with a comprehensive assessment of the learner’s current pronunciation patterns. This involves analyzing the individual’s speech to identify specific sounds or intonation patterns that may differ from standard American English. The analysis provides a detailed profile of the learner’s pronunciation strengths and areas for improvement.
- Customized Instruction: Based on the assessment, a personalized curriculum is developed for each learner. The instruction focuses on the specific sounds and patterns that the individual needs to work on, making it highly efficient and targeted. The method employs a range of exercises and practice materials designed to address these specific areas, helping learners make noticeable improvements in a relatively short period.
- Practice and Feedback: The P-ESL method incorporates regular practice sessions, both during instruction and independently. Learners receive immediate feedback on their pronunciation, allowing them to make adjustments and improvements in real-time. This hands-on approach ensures that learners are actively engaged in the process and can track their progress over time.
- Use of Technology: A richly-featured web-based application supplements instruction and practice with tools that provide learners with additional resources to practice outside of formal lessons, reinforcing what they have learned and helping them achieve greater mastery.
Benefits
The P-ESL method is known for its effectiveness in helping learners achieve clearer, more understandable English pronunciation. By focusing on individual needs and providing targeted instruction, it helps learners gain confidence in their spoken English, which can be beneficial in both personal and professional settings. The method’s structured yet flexible approach allows learners to progress at their own pace while ensuring that they receive the guidance and support necessary for success.
The P-ESL method is a comprehensive and effective approach to accent modification that combines assessment, personalized instruction, practice, and technology to help learners achieve their pronunciation goals.
How Is the P-ESL Different From Conventional English Language Programs?
Few English as a Second Language (ESL) programs provide the necessary help and training required to establish adequate pronunciation skills. In most cases, the emphasis is on learning the vocabulary and grammatical forms, often with reading and speaking being taught at the same time. The result is that most people learn the vocabulary and grammar of English but still remain poorly prepared to speak and be understood in their newly acquired language. The Compton P-ESL Program begins where conventional English programs end. This program, based on over fifteen years of linguistic research and teaching, has been designed specifically to aid people with foreign accents to improve their spoken English. While the program is intended primarily for individuals who already have a basic command of English, the materials can be incorporated into almost any level ESL course to provide specialized pronunciation practice.
How Was the P-ESL Method Developed?
Dr. Arthur Compton, the author and creator of the program, analyzed the varying forms of English pronunciation used by hundreds of people from over 100 different language backgrounds. The results of this research demonstrated that the accented sounds of English are not simply a random collection of speech errors but, instead, constitute a system of interrelated pronunciation patterns which are determined largely by the speaker’s native language.
Consequently, the problems faced in learning English as a second language are not the same for all persons. Each language has its own particular sounds and patterns of pronunciation and intonation. These are learned in childhood and are used easily and without thinking. When a person learns another language, these sounds and speech patterns act as barriers to the perception and pronunciation of new language. The end result is one of the characteristic types of English, such as the “Spanish accent” or the “Japanese accent”, etc.
The Compton P-ESL Program was developed at the Institute of Language and Phonology in San Francisco. The Institute conducts linguistic research in spoken communication of children and adults and has offered individual tutoring, small classes and workshops in English pronunciation since 1978. The Compton P-ESL program is based on the author’s experimental studies and teaching experience with hundreds of students from over a 100 different languages. Recordings and detailed speech analyses were made of participants accent patterns. These analyses made it possible to determine the major areas of pronunciation difficulty for individuals who speak English as a second language. The areas of pronunciation are taken up in the order in which they can be learned with maximum effectiveness and minimal effort. This order of presentation is based on a “principle of linguistic generalization” which initially evolved from the author’s research with young children.
This research was later extended to adults learning English as a second language. These studies revealed that even though a large number of sounds may be affected by the native language of these errors are identical in type and constitute a small number of errors patterns which are the actual case of the pronunciation difficulty. Consequently, when an individual corrects specific sounds, the correction effect will often carryover (generalize) to other sounds following the same error pattern i.e. “principle of linguistic generalization.
Summary
The P-ESL method and system offers:
- a comprehensive program that includes pre- and post- training analysis,
- a customized training program for each individual client,
- a step-by-step structure and roadmap to follow, with every client,
- a program that can and should be complimented by your own unique teaching style,
- a program that can be conducted from start to finish in a tele-training or web-based environment, or conducted on-site and in-person
Use of the P-ESL assessment and training tools requires certification status, which tells everyone you are an expert. The certification course can be completed on right here at this website.