Matt's Initial Web Pick

I am recommending a terrific website that allows you to click on an IPA symbol and hear its pronunciation. It is an interactive chart of the International Phonetic Alphabet. For those that are less familiar with IPA, it is basically a set of symbols that have a one-to-one correspondence between sound and symbol. This will allow you to see the place, manner, and voicing of each sound and how that sound is realized. It will make the sound followed by the sound between two vowels for the pulmonic (made with air from the lungs) consonants. To be fair, this site will be less useful without knowledge of the IPA system. This is a minor obstacle, however, because it will probably be required information at some point in your TESOL career. The chart includes most IPA symbols, not just English, so be warned if many symbols are unfamiliar. Remember that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Matt J

As far as being a language learner, I have spent years attempting to learn Spanish and still feel like I have a long way to go. I would not say that I have tried to learn any other languages, but am constantly fascinated by them.
I would have to say that I have been a language teacher since I learned English grammar. To be fair, I have unwittingly ascribed to the Prescriptive Linguist school of thought from the beginning. When I began taking linguistic classes, however, I have tried to reduce my inappropriate interruptions. In more recent history, I assisted in teaching adults English during my internship (LING 4395) last semester. This was my first experience of teaching a group of with which I do not share a common language.