What is the relevance of learning phonetics and phonology for English teachers?

While I was doing my assignment, I tried to find some information about the topic above, I seem cannot find something that might satisfied me. Although there were some opinion but it was very hard to understand, so I think I want to share my friends and my own opinion about  What is the relevance of learning phonetics and phonology for English teachers?

Yana's opinion

In my opinion, I think the relevance of studying phonetics and phonology especially for an English teacher is to master the sound of English language well. It is because English language sound is differing with other languages including L1. Thus, it is important for English teacher to know the phonetics since the phonology is about study of the sound. Plus, phonology also will help English teacher to have better pronunciation as well as will have strong grasp on intonation, accent and dialect in English language. This is because when the teacher know the language well he or she can make differentiate how American and British dialect and accent better.

Besides that, learning phonetics and phonology would also help English teacher in term of their skill and knowledge on the way of how to produce the sound correctly using the correct articulators. Plus, the study of this also calls as “articulatory phonetics”. It is very crucial for English to master this since there are so many English words and sounds that require different way of produce it. Thus, if we produce it in wrong way articulators it would probably be heard in different way and the listener will get different meaning which may lead to misunderstanding.

Lastly, I think phonetics and phonology also would help English teacher in term of self motivation and self esteem. This is because when we want to talk in English language the most important thing that we require is confident. Thus, if the English teacher master how words are produce and how to pronoun it well it would rise their confident to speak in English more. Besides, it would help the teacher to develop their confident level in front of their students while they are teaching and speaking in English. This is important, since the teacher is the role model or good exemplar to their students. 

Nur's opinion

In broadly speaking, phonology means the sound of language. What is the relevance to studying phonetics and phonology for an English teacher? There are numerous reasons for that statement.  Nevertheless, pronunciation is the key of that reason.

It is important for the English teachers to studying phonology since it is crucial for both teacher and his or her students. By pronouncing English words correctly, it will boost up students confidence in the teacher. For example, if your students have a good command in English and you the teacher pronounces one of the English words incorrectly, the students might be doubt and confused with the teaching. He or she might be discouraged in learning with you. In worst, the students might end up by making fun of you because of your mistakes.  

Phonetics will help an English teacher on how to pronounce English words correctly. Regardless from where the teachers are coming from and what accents does she or he used, by studying phonology, he or she will not be having difficulties in pronouncing English words correctly. It gives the correct pronunciation of words in British and American English too.

My opinion 

Phonology and phonetic are two elements that cannot be separated from the English language. It is very important because it dealing with the systems. For those who are trying to learn English as their new language, they need to be familiarizing with the English sound systems because it is different from other language sound. This phonetic and phonology element not only important because it deal with the pronunciations but by learning phonetic and phonology it may avoid some misunderstanding while communicating with each other. Learning phonetic and phonology may avoid miscommunication between teacher and students or between teacher and teacher because when learning these two elements we will know how to pronounce something correctly, whether it should be long or short. Thus, we may communicate more effectively and avoid any miscommunication.