The Significance of Supra-Segmental Units in First Language Education and The Teaching of Supra-Segmental Units through Technology-Aided Instruction

Abstract

Studies on teaching speaking do not focus adequately on skills concerning supra-segmental units, which constitute the basis of communication. Speaking, one of the basic language skills, consists in the communication of feelings and thoughts while observing the relationship between phonetics and syntax. During speech, the accurate reflection of the relationship between phonetics and syntax depends primarily on the ability to perceive the emotional meaning of the words and phrases constituting the syntax. In order to utter sound strings appropriate to expressing the intended thoughts and emotions and to convey the rhythm of the utterances, it is necessary to have skills in perceiving and producing supra-segmental units such as stress, tone, and pause. Considered in this respect, the relationship between phonetics and syntax and the skills required for the production of supra-segmental units are major issues to be emphasized in first language education.