The inability to focus on the rhythmic pattern as a whole is one of the main deficiencies in the teaching of English rhythm, and it is partly responsible for syllabic rhythm in the speech of learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). A technique is proposed that isolates the segmental phones and sequences so that EFL learners recognize them.…

Presents some reasons why more emphasis should be placed on the mastery of the rhythmic features of the target language in foreign language teaching. An account of an important recent theoretical contribution to the description of the principles underlying English speech rhythm is included. (SED)