Publication: Pronunication Contrasts in English

• Nilsen, Don L.F
• Nilsen, Alleen Pace

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.