Recommended
Library Journal
"Designed
as a self-teaching fluency-building phonics program, "Master Spoken
English" provides comprehensive training via speech exercises and
drills. Both fluent native speakers of English as well as those with
basic English skills can watch this program to increase resonance,
clarity, fluency, and expressiveness. The program provides a
color-coded phonic system to aid viewers in the exercises. Word lists
precede connected speech, with practice scenes (from actual movies)
comprising the third and final level of training. The producers' skill
and attention to details such as lighting, composition, and camera work
create a program that is useful, informative, and visually pleasing.
This is a fine work. Recommended."
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****Highest
Rating
Video Rating Guide for Libraries
"...
Each video emphasizes the two most important aspects of achieving
success: warm-up exercises to relax and focus the mind and body, and
repetition of the exercises demonstrated. Animated sequences are used
throughout the programs to show how sounds are formed in the mouth,
which will be helpful for students whose native languages do not use
similar sounds. ...This is an effective, useful program for speech
instruction, and not just for speakers with foreign accents. Speakers
with regional American dialects and general bad habits in speech can
benefit as well. Each topic is explained thoroughly, and the animated
sequences are most helpful for understanding how each sound is formed.
The production quality is high, with good pace and sound... Recommended
for academic and other libraries supporting ESL programs."
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***1/2
Stars
Video Librarian
"...'Master
Spoken English' delivers what most language programs don't even come
close to achieving: a primer in American English as it's actually
spoken. This series will be a boon to people who are trying to learn
the speech patterns and intonations of spoken English. Highly
Recommended."
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"...Your series was one of the first items purchased at our
startup as a program. ...Our program was recognized as a winner of the
'Program of Excellence' state award by the California Dept. of
Education last year. One of the criteria for the award was the quality
of the instructional materials used with our students. 'Master Spoken
English' remains the best 'aerobic oral workout' for
English-as-a-Second-Language students that our staff has found." |
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"...The tutors all responded in a positive and enthusiastic
manner. They really enjoyed using techniques developed by speech
coaches to train professional actors. One student learning ESL said
that her whole family watched the tapes and practiced the breathing and
stretching exercises. ...The library recently purchased additional
copies of the series just to keep up with requests to check them
out...I highly recommend their use." |
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"... As a person trained in theoretical linguistics--my
doctoral dissertation in English Language from the University of
Michigan discusses the phonology of a fifteenth-century northeastern
Lancashire dialect--I particularly appreciate the practical way in
which you approach the analysis and production of the specific speech
sounds. Your emphasis on how the sound Feels in the mouth is
just what ESL students need in order to develop the automaticity of
pronunciation that will ensure their success in communicating with
native speakers." |
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