Note from Bill Acton

Check out the latest development, the English Speaking, Pronunciation, Clarity and Confidence Course (ESPCC)!

The development of Haptic Pronunciation and the KINETIK Method™ was inspired in part by classroom teachers who not only had little or no background in pronunciation teaching but also were given no space for it in their lessons—and, in many cases, had been “ordered” not to waste time on it. Given the generally disembodied (lacking involvement of the body) and “out of context” nature of much of what passes for pronunciation work today, it can, understandably, be difficult to justify carving out the time and resources for it.

The innovation of the KINETIK Method™: Aspects of what is traditionally thought of as pronunciation, such as rhythm patterns and focus on stressed words, when “delivered” more through the body, primarily with gesture and touch, actually become more immediately valuable, memorable and relevant to the learner by:

• Greatly enhancing memory for vocabulary, and the text as it is spoken

• Allowing more expressiveness and providing for better emphasis on places of interest in a text

• Improving clarity—what is normally thought of as pronunciation or articulation

• Strengthening confidence of the learner in giving an oral report or speaking in conversation

• (For instructors) Developing general awareness and management of movement in the classroom.

KINETIK Method™ employs the “Movement, Tone and Touch Techniques” (MT3s) developed by Haptic Pronunciation Teaching earlier, in working with texts, stories, narratives, dialogues, word lists, instructions (and even drills!) Any time or place one of those functions is needed during a lesson or homework, the KINETIK Method™ . . . delivers, through MT3s serves as a “handy,” integrated “complement” to your lesson content. 

Bill