Leon's Intonation Lessons (English)

THIS is a revolutionary NEW way to learn/teach intonation, which I, Leon of Leon's planet created myself. I hope you like it. I encourage feedback.

Intonation is one of those things best taught by a native speaker, however, I recently decided that it might not be necessary to have a native speaker present. Just follow the technique that I have designed, and you will be able to teach yourself. K?

Step 2. Mark the stress according to the following system ACE=strongest stress, 10=least stress.

(Words that are exceptions receive NO stress). [I suggest you use highlighters].

Leon's Stress System © 2012-present	STRESSED WORDS ACE=most stress 10=least stress	Exceptions to the rule NO STRESS
	ACE = Negative ADVERBS for example: not, never, can't, won't, wouldn't, shouldn't, etc. ALSO: italicized words ALSO: CAPS	no exceptions
	KING = All other ADVERBS Examples: extremely, especially, very, ad-infinitum, even, yes, no	no exceptions
	QUEEN = ADJECTIVES Examples: good, bad, ugly, time-consuming learned, spoken	EXCEPTIONS: Determiners like... that, this, those, these and Articles like... a, an, the and possessive pronouns like... his, her, its, their
	JACK = VERBS Examples: see, hear	EXCEPTIONS: Linking verbs like... BE (the copula) 'THERE BE' (existential verb) get (+adj.), feel (+adj.) And so-called, "helping" verbs (AKA: auxiliary verbs) like... can, will, could, would, should
	TEN = NOUNS Examples: merits, form, study, people, time, language, way	EXCEPTIONS: pronouns like.... I, me, we, us, You, you, you-all, your, He, him, they, them, She, her, it
3. After making your text, practice reading it with the intonation as marked. You may wish to get a native speaker check to see that you've marked it appropriately. But, practice can be done by yourself, without the aid of a native speaker.

WMA audio file		WAV audio file
If this doesn't work, go right ->.	Click on the icon below to download and listen. It should begin playing automatically.	If this doesn't work, go right ->.	Click on the icon below to download and listen. It should begin playing automatically.
Script: I could go on ad-infinitum about the merits of this form of study, but if one doesn't see them by his/herself, he/she never will; even if I point them out. This form of study is time-consuming and most people don't wish to invest the time to learn a language the way it should be learned. AND, yes, this is the way a spoken language should be learned. Can I hear an "amen"?
mp3 (m4a) Click to download and listen to mp3 file.

See how the brighter the word, the stronger the stress.
And then, one should practice reading aloud over and over again.

I, (Leon Priz), have designed this form of study for intonation BY MYSELF. I designed it, taught it, and have been teaching it for years (at least since 1995, when I started teaching EFL to adults). I therefore reserve the right to name this method of study. Also, unless anyone has come up with this idea before me, I reserve all rights to the invention of this technique. I do not know if someone has come up with such an idea until this very day. I publish this idea here for all to use (as learner), to quote (as academic), or to implement (as teacher), however, I would appreciate all persons following the conventions of our modern, global society and give me credit for inventing this technique of study.