The Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology is offering a course next fall for foreign students wishing to enhance their English pronunciation skills.

The English Voice and Pronunciation Skills course, SPHP 101, helps prepare foreign language students better pronunciate, which helps them in job interviews and in interpersonal conversation.

Students from Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Viet Nam and Yugoslavia have taken the course and enjoyed it, said professor Celeste Roseberry McKibbin of the Speech Pathology and Audiology department.

“The students felt supported by each other in the class,” Roseberry McKibbin said.

Students majoring in math, criminal justice, business, fashion design, and engineering, among others have taken the course, Roseberry-McKibbin said.

When one student was struggling in one area, other students would step in and help them, Roseberry-McKibbin said.

“The students felt more comfortable speaking in front of groups,” Roseberry-McKibbin said. “The class is not just a boring drill, and the students have fun.”

At the beginning of the course the students are tape recorded individually and an their speech analyzed Roseberry McKibbin said.

Last fall was the first time a course like was offered on Sacramento State campus, and there are few others like it in the California State University system.

Last fall, the class was offered once a week, but because of student feedback, it will meet on Monday and Wednesday, Roseberry McKibbin said.

After the course has ended and students still feel they need lessons, they can get intensive one-on-one instruction from the speech and hearing clinic, Roseberry-McKibbin said.

Students who complete the course but still feel they need more work can get one-on-one instruction from the speech and hearing clinic, she said.

Last semester students were encouraged to give feedback, and one student wrote, “This class is really helping me to correct my pronunciation. It also has helped me to relax and encouraged me to speak in front of people.”

For further information regarding the course, Roseberry McKibbin can be contacted through her e-mail at [email protected].

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