Backchaining is a drilling technique intended to help learners pronounce difficult sound groups, words or phrases.

A teacher sitting on a table with a group of students in Bahrain

The teacher begins with the last sound, which the learners repeat, and then gradually builds up the word or phrase by going 'back' to the beginning.

Example
The following sequence is an example of a backchaining drill:
Teacher: Known
Learners: Known
Teacher: I'd known
Learners: I'd known
Teacher: If only I'd known
Learners: If only I'd known etc

In the classroom
Backchaining is one of many drilling techniques which can be used to focus on pronunciation problems. It is particularly useful to help learners pronounce weak, elided or intrusive sounds. In addition to helping learners say difficult phrases, it is also fun.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/rhythm

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/teaching-schwa

Research and insight

Browse fascinating case studies, research papers, publications and books by researchers and ELT experts from around the world.

See our publications, research and insight