The Rap on Stress: Teaching Stress Patterns to English Language Learners Through Rap Music
2009
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The Rap on Stress: Teaching Stress Patterns to English Language Learners Through Rap Music
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2009
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Minnesota and Wisconsin Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
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Article
Abstract
Many English language learners who have attained advanced English proficiency levels are
still having difficulty in communicating, due to low intelligibility. Word and sentence stress
are components that contribute greatly to intelligibility. This study was designed to explore
the effectiveness of teaching English word and sentence stress patterns through the recitation
of rap music and related activities. Six secondary English language learners from various
primary language backgrounds voluntarily participated in a four-week intensive summer
pronunciation course. Appropriate allocation of word and sentence stress was measured in
speech samples obtained before and after completion of the course. The results of this study
indicate improvement in stress placement by the end of the four weeks. The students also
reported substantial gains in their confidence levels when communicating with others. The
study includes specific methodology that may be useful and easily incorporated into
programs with pre-set curricula and assessments.
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