Phonemic symbols

They can be used to help learners with pronunciation.

Example
The following are examples in English:
/p/ as in pet /k/ as in cat /ei/ as in pay /i:/ as in beat

In the classroom
Activities which can help learners include phonemic bingo, phonemic hangman, practice with dictionaries, class posters and looking at homophones. There is much discussion about how useful phonemic symbols are to learners, and some teachers choose never to teach them, especially if learner do not feel they are useful.

See also:

• Phonemes
• Phonemic chart for English teachers
• Phonemic script
• Phonetics
• Phonology

Related articles:

• Connected speech – part 1
• Connected speech – part 2
• Evaluating speaking – part 1
• Global English – teaching pronunciation
• Pronunciation – the poor relation?
• Pros and cons of using phonemic chart
• Rhythm
• Speech and language impairment
• Teaching the schwa
• Young learners and the phonemic chart