Peer Review

Deutsche Phonetik

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Apr 10, 2007 by World Languages

Bookmark

Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This site provides a comprehensive overview of the sound system of German and a full set of audio files with discrete phonemes (vowels, diphthongs and consonants) in all articulatory positions. Each file is individually clickable, allowing students to compare the pronunciation of similar vowels or of pairs that have been identified as ones problematic for them.
Type of Material:: The site is a series of sound files that can be used as a tutorial (play and repeat). No recording function is included.
Recommended Uses:: Intermediate- and advanced students working on perfecting their pronunciation will find the straightforward materials that can be replayed multiple times useful. Beginning students can also be sent site to work on specfic sounds that are generally included one by one in first-year textbooks.Good for hearing native-accent pronunciation of the sounds of German.
Technical Requirements:: Web browser with plug-in or external media player capable of playing .wav files.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: This site presents sound files of all discrete-point sounds in German in all positions of articulation. As such it can be used by students of all levels of German, but seems especially appropriate for intermediate- and advanced-level learners.
Target Student Population:: The site is valuable to students at all levels.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Any level of learner could use the material, though early intermediate students and up would be less intimidated by the vocabulary used, both in the example words themselves and in the category headings.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The sounds and words are laid out clearly on the page and clearly categorized, while the linked recorded sounds are pronounced distinctly and in a good standard German. The instructions on the page are also exclusively in German.The sound files of phonemes in initial, mid- and final position, as well as the many renditions of German tense and lax vowels, diphthongs, and consonant clusters provide a comprehensive overview of the German sound system.
Concerns:: One missing element that would be helpful to students as they try to recreate the sounds presented would be a diagram of where each vowel is produced in the mouth. If this were provided by the instructor students would be more able to make adjustments in their articulation when comparing their own pronunciation to the models. Also, the site does not contain longer utterances which would allow students to practice intonation over longer sequences.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: This site is effective because it is small and self-contained, yet includes all relevant sounds in multiple syllabic positions. This allows students to peruse the sounds at their own pace and keeps the site from being overwhelming.
Concerns:: The site would be made even stronger if an additional set of utterances of phrase- or sentence-length were included, since intonation is an important element in phonetics instruction. However the material that IS included is highly useful. Further, true interactivity, in the sense that the student gains any feedback to gauge his or her proximity to the example pronunciation, is lacking, and this might not promote long-term interest in the material.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The site is clearly laid out and requires no navigation off the page; clicking the words to hear them pronounced is extremely straightforward. The instructions are minimal, but clear and sufficient.
Concerns:: Aesthetically, this page has little to offer, with rather garish colours; though at least there's nothing to distract from the material.

Other Issues and Comments:: Overall, the site is a valuable resource because it lets students focus on discrete sounds and pronunciation differences in a way that is organized and easily self-directed by the student. Given the fact that there are very few textbook materials for intermediate- and advanced learners of German, and few if any audio resources for these levels which would provide models for pronunciation, the site makes an important contribution to American students who are seeking to develop a native-like pronunciation. However, true interactivity, in the sense that the student gains any feedback to gauge his or her proximity to the example pronunciation, is lacking, and this might not promote long-term interest in the material.
Creative Commons: