This module provides students with a basic knowledge of:

the practical and theoretical study of speech sounds (phonetics)
 the study of articulatory phonetics (i.e. how speech sounds are produced) and the scientific bases of speech production
 the systematic use of speech sounds in language (phonology)
 the practical and theoretical study of variation in speech (e.g., accent variation, multilingualism)
This module is relevant to the HCPC standards of proficiency for speech and language therapists relating to knowledge and understanding of phonetics and phonology, and the skills required for the application of this knowledge in clinical practice.

Aims:

To familiarise students with phonetic and phonological levels of linguistic description, covering the analysis, articulation and classification of speech sounds and prosodic patterns (phonetics), and their systematic use in spoken language (phonology).
 To develop practical phonetic skills of speech sound perception, production and representation, using symbolic transcription.
 To provide opportunities for students to practise the phonetic transcription of normal, pseudo-disordered and disordered speech (e.g., speech of people with hearing impairment, speech production impairment).
 To develop awareness of how acoustic phonetic approaches to the analysis of speech sounds can support articulatory and auditory analysis through hands-on lab sessions.
 To familiarize students with the study of speech production, in particular the structure and function of the vocal tract and respiration, voice quality.
 To develop an understanding of the sources of variation in speech and how these might affect clinical assessment of speech and language pathology.
LEARNING OUTCOMES

Knowledge and understanding

At the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

the principles underlying the classification and description of speech sounds and prosodic patterns
 the difference between phonetic and phonological descriptions of both normal and disordered speech, with emphasis on patterns of contrast and sequencing, and the skills involved in transcription
 the basic sound system and structure of English
 regional and social variation in English, including multilingualism
 the articulation of speech sounds in relation to the structure and function of the vocal tract
 The acoustic-phonetic characteristics of speech sounds and how these relate to phonetic and phonological levels of linguistic description.
Skills

At the end of the course students will have learned to:

listen analytically to speech, so as to identify and discriminate between a wide range of speech sounds and prosodic patterns, both English and non-English
 perform (i.e., produce) a wide range of speech sounds and prosodic patterns
 use symbolic and other means (i.e., phonetically transcribe) to represent speech sounds and prosodic patterns in normal, pseudo-clinical and clinical speech
use specialist software for the acoustic analysis of speech sounds
 integrate knowledge about the classification and description of speech sounds with acoustic phonetic approaches to the study of speech
 apply knowledge about articulatory phonetics, including knowledge of the structure and function of the vocal tract, when considering impairments of speech and hearing
 apply knowledge of variability in speech to clinical speech and language therapy practice
Students will also have further developed the following transferable skills:

essay/assignment writing
 applying theoretical knowledge to the interpretation of clinical data
These outcomes will be achieved through:

teaching of the syllabus outlined below
 immediate feedback in ear-training/practical sessions
 guidance and formative feedback from tutors and peers in labs and small-group tutorials
 Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (for Practical Phonetics)
 guided use of recorded listening materials
 formative feedback on exercises, transcriptions and data analyses performed both in class and at home
 guidance and feedback from tutors on assessed work
 web-based and written exercises for independent study
 students’ management of their own learning