Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module introduces students to the field of phonetics, focusing on the human vocal mechanism and the sounds it produces, as well as how speech sounds form the phonological systems of various languages. Students will explore variations in English and how different groups of speakers use sounds differently in diverse social contexts. A key focus is the application of phonetics in assessing and treating individuals with communication difficulties. The module provides comprehensive online resources, enabling students to revisit and refine their transcription skills throughout their programme and beyond, ensuring these skills are up-to-date.

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*Objectives*:

1. To explore the principles of speech sound production and perception, providing a foundation for understanding how humans create and process speech.
2. To develop practical skills in identifying, producing, and transcribing a wide range of speech sounds, including those found in typical and atypical speech, both in isolation and in connected speech.
3. To introduce the structure of the English sound system as well as its phonotactic patterns and key phonological rules.
4. To raise awareness of sociolinguistic variation across English varieties and equip students to transcribe these differences using narrow phonetic transcription.

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*Alignment with HCPC Standards of Proficiency*:

This module addresses aspects of the following HCPC standards, in some cases alongside other modules:
- 7.3 understand the characteristics and consequences of verbal and non-verbal communication and recognise how these can be affected by difference of any kind, including, but not limited to, protected characteristics, intersectional experiences and cultural differences.
- 12.1 understand the structure and function of the human body, together with knowledge of physical and mental health, disease, impairment and dysfunction relevant to their profession.
- 12.7 understand linguistics and phonetics, psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics and all levels of typical processing and the differences for individuals whose home language is not English.
- 12.10 understand sociology in relation to the practice of speech and language therapy, including its application to educational, health and workplace settings and within multi-cultural contexts.
- 13.13 administer, record, score and interpret a range of published and self generated assessment tools to describe and analyse service users’ abilities and needs using, where appropriate, phonetic transcription, linguistic analysis, instrumental analysis and psycholinguistic assessment.
- 13.14 apply knowledge of communication impairment, linguistics, phonetics, psychology and biomedical sciences to the identification, assessment and differential diagnosis of a range of communication and swallowing impairments.

Outline Of Syllabus

*Semester 1*:

Most of the Semester 1 is devoted to learning about the human vocal mechanism, the sounds it can produce, & how those sounds can be classified. In tutorials you will learn to distinguish & produce most the sounds of the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), using examples from a wide range of languages and varieties of English.

- Introduction to phonetics: The IPA and transcription;
- Consonants: place of articulation;
- Consonants: manner of articulation;
- Consonants: complex articulations
- Phonation, aspiration and VOT;
- Initiation: airstream mechanisms, non-pulmonic consonants;
- Cardinal vowels and vowel quadrilateral;
- Connected speech processes;
- Sound system of English;
- Phonology I;
- Phonology II.

*Semester 2*:

Semester 2 work builds on the articulatory foundations of Semester 1, focusing on how speech sounds are used in fluent speech, & how different groups of speakers use sounds differently.

- Sociophonetics I;
- Sociophonetics II;
- Prosody and Intonation I;
- Prosody and Intonation II;
- Phonological assessment of disordered speech;
- Phonological cases I;
- Phonological cases II;
- Phonological cases III;
- Ear training on consonants;
- Ear training on vowels;
- Ear training on non-pulmonic consonants.

In relation to the RCSLT curriculum guidance, the module covers aspects related to phonetics and linguistics (4.4.1) including phonetics and clinical application, general linguistics and clinical applications (phonology) and sociolinguistics.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

- Develop an understanding of the fundamental processes involved in the production of speech sounds, including but not limited to those found in English.
- Accurately define key technical terms in the fields of phonetics and phonology.
- Identify and explain the conventions used for classifying and transcribing speech sounds.
- Recognise the factors influencing variability in speech production, including contextual effects, inter- and intra-speaker differences, and connected speech processes.
- Analyse spoken utterances by detailing the laryngeal and supralaryngeal articulations involved, while accounting for variability.
- Perform quantitative analyses of phonological variation in a small corpus of spoken English.
- Compare phonetic and phonological analyses of speech, and discuss how phonetic analyses can inform phonological explanations.
- Discuss the implications of both phonetic and phonological analyses for assessing atypical speech.

Intended Skill Outcomes

- Develop the ability to listen objectively to speech and transcribe speech sounds accurately using IPA transcription conventions.
- Develop the ability to distinguish and produce a wide range of IPA sounds, including those specific to different varieties of English.
- Recognise aspects of variability that are significant across English varieties.
- Design materials for effective data elicitation.
- Record, observe, and analyse both natural and experimental speech.
- Collaborate effectively with a team on a project that involves analysing linguistic data and reporting the findings.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

- *Lectures* serve as the foundation for introducing key concepts in phonetics and phonology. These sessions not only define theoretical frameworks but also encourage active student participation through collaborative tasks and discussions. Students are expected to engage with additional self-study materials provided on Canvas, as well as relevant literature to enhance their understanding and expand their knowledge base.

- *Practicals* are designed to bridge theory with application, allowing students to apply their knowledge in realistic contexts. Through IPA ear training and transcription practice, students gain hands-on experience in identifying and producing speech sounds. These sessions also allow students to explore the variability in typical and atypical speech production. The primary focus of these practicals is to maximise student engagement, fostering their transcription and production skills to enhance their command of the IPA system.

- *Workshops* focus on phonological analysis, particularly in the context of children’s speech. These sessions provide students with an opportunity to apply phonological theory in real-world scenarios and refine their analytical skills.

- *Assessment preparation* provide students with the opportunity to consolidate their learning. Preparing for quizzes and projects encourages active review and deepening of their understanding.

- *Independent study* further supports their ability to apply knowledge autonomously, ensuring students have the necessary skills to succeed in assessments.

This blended approach, combining lectures, practical sessions, and independent study, is aligned with the learning outcomes by supporting both theoretical knowledge and practical skill development in phonetics and phonology.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

*Summative assessments*:

- *Digital Examination 1* evaluates students' understanding of the key principles of phonetic analysis.
- *Digital Examination 2* assesses both the theoretical principles of phonetic analysis and students' ability to accurately transcribe isolated and connected speech using IPA conventions.

*Zero Weighted Pass/Fail*:

- The *oral presentation* provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate objective listening skills and to explore their understanding of the factors influencing variability in speech.

As all assessments in this module are integral to developing the key skills required for both the theoretical and applied aspects of the course, all components of this module must be passed and no compensation is available.

General Notes

All components of this module must be passed and no compensation is available.

In relation to the RCSLT curriculum guidelines, this modules covers aspects related to 4.4.1 with a focus on phonetics and clinical applications, general linguistics and clinical applications and psycholinguistics.