Pronunciation, Intelligibility, and Clarity

1. Introduction

Within English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), pronunciation plays an essential role in facilitating successful teaching and learning interactions. However, pronunciation should not be understood merely as perfect articulation or native-like speech. Instead, the primary goal in EMI settings is intelligibility, meaning whether students can understand the lecturer’s spoken output clearly and consistently. In multilingual and multicultural contexts, clarity matters more than accent imitation. Thus, developing practical pronunciation awareness supports more inclusive and accessible EMI classrooms.

2. The Role of Pronunciation in EMI

Lecturers in EMI classrooms often teach complex subject matter to students who may vary widely in English proficiency. Clear pronunciation helps reduce cognitive load and prevents misunderstanding. When speech is unclear, students may struggle not because of the academic concepts but because of linguistic processing barriers. Therefore, pronunciation is deeply connected to academic success.

Common Pronunciation Challenges in EMI Contexts

• Difficulty distinguishing or producing specific sounds (e.g., /θ/ and /ð/, /r/ and /l/)
• Stress placement that alters meaning (e.g., record as a noun vs. verb)
• Intonation patterns that may sound monotonous or abrupt
• Fast speech rate leading to reduced comprehensibility

Pronunciation challenges are not deficiencies but natural outcomes of multilingual communication. The goal is not to eliminate accent but to enhance delivery.

3. Intelligibility vs. Accent

In EMI settings, striving to imitate so-called “native-like” pronunciation is often unrealistic, unnecessary, and potentially discouraging. Instead, research emphasizes focusing on features that significantly affect understanding—stress, rhythm, pausing, and articulation patterning.

Key Features That Improve Intelligibility

1. Pausing and pacing: Strategic pauses help listeners process complex information.
2. Sentence stress: Highlighting important words improves delivery.
3. Articulation: Avoid over-reducing syllables; speak with comfortable clarity.
4. Visual reinforcement: Slides, diagrams, and gestures support listening comprehension.

4. Clarity in Classroom Communication

Clarity goes beyond pronunciation—it involves instructional choices. Lecturers who consciously slow their speech, emphasize keywords, and paraphrase instructions often create more inclusive learning environments. Using multimodal strategies (gestures, board writing, and visuals) ensures comprehension even when linguistic complexity is high.

Practical Classroom Techniques

• Chunk information into smaller units when explaining concepts.
• Repeat critical terminology with varied sentence structures.
• Use signposting phrases (e.g., “The main point is…”, “Let us now compare…”).
• Encourage students to signal when clarification is needed.

A supportive tone communicates openness and reduces learner anxiety. Students who feel safe asking questions are more likely to engage in EMI discussions.

5. Reflection & Application

Consider your own pronunciation patterns. Which features may require adjustment to ensure clearer communication? How do your students respond to your speech? Self-awareness and practice are key to gradual improvement. Recording and reviewing micro-teaching sessions can help identify areas to refine.