Purpose:

To show and practice stress on the correct syllable in multi-syllable words.

Description:

This involves using a clapping pattern to show word stress. Decide on a clapping pattern. For example, snap your fingers on weak syllables and clap on the stressed syllable.

            Example:

            Cathedral = snap  clap   snap

                                  Ca -  THE – dral

Procedure:

1. Demonstrate this with a word the learners have learned by modeling correct word stress (try not to exaggerate the stressed syllable) and clapping the stress pattern.
2. Have the learners clap the stress pattern a few times.
3. Have them clap and say the word at the same time. Correct pronunciation through modeling and repetition if necessary.
4. Write the word on the board, marking the stress. Check that learners understand by having them clap out the stress of a few other known words.
5. In the future, when teaching new words, have learners predict the stress by clapping it out. Then model correct stress through the clapping pattern.