The idea of using this classic film to illustrate that English pronunciation is a big jungle even for native speakers, came from a conversation with one of my students. A good example of how students impact our teaching. Every class is a source of inspiration.
“Why can’t the English learn to speak?“
Read & Think
- What is the status of the English language according to the following text?
“Anyone can spot an Irishman or a Yorkshireman by his brogue, but I can place a man within six miles in London. Sometimes within two streets. (…)
Why can’t the English teach their children how to speak?
This verbal class distinction by now should be antique
If you spoke as she does, sir,
instead of the way you do
you might be selling flowers too.
An Englishman of speaking
absolutely classifies him.
The moment he talks makes other Englishmen despise him
One common language
I’m afraid we‘ll never get
Oh, why can’t the English learn to…
set a good example to people
whose English is painful to your ears.
The Scotch and the Irish
leave you close to tears.
There even are places
where English completely disappears.
Why, in America
they haven’t used it for years!
Why can’t the English teach their children how to speak?
Norwegians learn Norwegian
the Greeks are taught in Greek,
In France every Frenchman
knows his language from “A“ to “Z“,
– The French don’t care what they do actually
as long as they pronounce it properly. –
Arabians learn Arabian with the speed of summer lightening
The Hebrews learn it backwards
which is absolutely frightening.
Use proper English
you’re regarded as a freak
Why can’t the English
Why can’t the English learn to speak?“
Watch the video
Practice
“The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plane“
“In Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire hurricanes hardly ever happen.“
“How kind of you to let me come.“
Watch the film without sound from 0.52 to 2.18
- What do you think they are doing?
- What do you think the difference is between the man and the girl’s way of blowing into the glass ball?
- Which sound do you think they are practicing?
“Every time you pronounce the letter “H“ correctly the flame will waver, every time you drop your “H“ the flame will remain stationary. That’s how you’ll know you have done correctly by the time your ear will hear the difference. See it better in the mirror.“
Watch the film with sound from 3.07 to 4.23.
- What is the problem with the way the girl says the sentence “How kind of you to let me come.“
- What is the similarity between: cup of tea / kind of you
Enjoy
You can watch the result of Professor Higgins training sessions here.
You can watch the full movie of My Fair Lady (1964) directed by George Cukor with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. The film is based on G.B. Shaw’s play Pygmalion.
Download the Worksheet
Filed under: Advanced, General, Intermediate, Listening, Video Tagged: pronunciation
