Pronunciation Contrasts in English

Teachers of English to speakers of other languages face many challenges, not the least of which is the linguistic diversity of their students. Each student faces difficulties with different English sounds depending on those sounds and distinctions of his or her native language. To help minimize the time spent tailoring classroom materials to the needs of each student, Nilsen and Nilsen have compiled a comprehensive volume on those sound contrasts distinguished in English. They provide extensive lists of both vowel and consonant contrasts, each with phonetic diagrams and descriptions, minimal pairs (both isolated and in sentences), and specific languages for which the contrast may be problematic. Both prospective and practicing teachers will appreciate the freedom of not having to compile these materials themselves. Instead, they can focus on their primary goal the teaching of English.