Workshop on Phonetic Precision: Elevating ESL Pronunciation Pedagogy through Mastery of IPA Held at CCTLT
Sana’a, Yemen – November 9, 2024
Under the auspices of the University Rector, Prof. Al-Kasem Mohammed Abass, the Community Center for Translation & Language Teaching (CCTLT) hosted a workshop aimed at enhancing the teaching ESL skills for teachers at the Department of Language Teaching. The workshop, titled “Phonetic Precision: Elevating ESL Pronunciation Pedagogy through Mastery of IPA,” provided participants with valuable insights and strategies for effective teaching practices of speaking and pronunciation skills according to relevant international standards.
The workshop, facilitated by Mr. Adeeb Al-Qubati, Ms. Hafsa Al-Surmi, and Aisha Al-Shawesh, under the direct supervision of Prof. Ibraheem Tagaddeen, CCTLT Director, featured English language educators with advanced skills and knowledge for leveraging the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as a powerful tool to enhance learners’ pronunciation accuracy. Participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and investigate challenges, learn from their peers, and explore innovative teaching methods. The focus was on the effective integration of IPA into teaching methodologies by the English teachers at CCTLT. The workshop enabled teachers to guide students toward the precise articulation of English sounds as pronounced by native speakers while minimizing common pronunciation errors. Participants were engaged in comprehensive strategies and nuanced approaches designed to elevate the quality and impact of phonetic instruction at the Center.
The workshop was attended by 40 ESL teachers from the Department of Language Teaching at the Center in the presence of Dr. Yahya Obeid the Vice-Director, Mr. Noah Shosha, the Head of the Language Teaching Dept., and Mr. Akram Al-Bukhaiti, the Center Secretary. Participants expressed their appreciation for getting the opportunity to learn from experienced trainers and network with colleagues in the field.
“We’ll host additional workshops in the coming months, focusing on various aspects of language teaching to support teachers in their continuous professional development,” concluded the CCTLT Director.