The Impact of Functional Load on the English Pronunciation Instruction

Abstract

In China, the English pronunciation instruction is increasingly emphasized and plays a more and more significant role. Almost all students desire authentic and native-like English pronunciation, close to the level of native speakers, or want to be able to communicate freely with foreigners in English. However, due to environmental constraints, students have limited classroom time yet expect effective learning outcomes. Hence, the concept of Functional Load can be leveraged in English teaching to achieve more efficient results. Functional load in English phonetic teaching emphasizes prioritizing phonemes that distinguish a large number of words in the language. A focus on phonemes with a high functional load can significantly enhance the effectiveness of pronunciation instruction. This approach enables learners to rapidly acquire the phonemes that are most critical to communication, thereby improving their overall speaking ability and reducing potential misunderstandings. Through the employment of quantitative research method, comparative analysis and literature method, this paper focuses on analyzing the impact of functional load on the teaching of English phonetics, so as to provide suggestions and methods for improving the teaching of English pronunciation. In essence, functional load can serve to inform educators of the phonemic distinctions that are of paramount importance for learners to master at an early stage, ensuring that teaching efforts are both highly effective and directly impactful on learners communication skills.