Continuous Improvement in EMI: Refining Academic English Pronunciation and Intonation

【持續精進：EMI 全英語授課與學術溝通的修煉】

在科學傳播與學術交流的道路上，如何清晰、精準地用英語表達複雜的科學概念，一直是我持續努力的目標。特別是在推廣 English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) 全英語授課的過程中，我深刻體會到「發音 (Pronunciation)」與「語調 (Intonation)」對於知識傳遞效率的巨大影響。

為此，在 2026 年 4 月 9 日的上午 10:00 至 11:00，我預約了國立臺灣師範大學英語學術素養中心 (NTNU CAL) 的線上諮詢服務，並非常幸運地能與顧問高雅 (Kaiva Hinkle) 進行一對一的深度指導。

🎓 專業的語言學指導

Kaiva 擁有麻薩諸塞大學阿默斯特分校 (UMass Amherst) 的語言學學士學位，目前為臺師大英語系語言學組碩士生。她具備神經語言學與心理語言學的深厚背景，在學術英文寫作與口說、口頭報告輔導上非常專業。

🗣️ 語調與音高的實戰練習

在這次諮詢中，我們不再只是探討文法或單字，而是將焦點放在非常細緻的「聲音表情」上。如同諮詢畫面中所示，我們透過語音學練習文本來拆解句子的結構：

• 停頓時機 (Pauses)： 標記如 [pause]，學習在長句中適當換氣，讓聽眾有時間吸收資訊。
• 音高變化 (Pitch Contours)： 顧問帶領我分析句中音高的起伏，例如標記 [small rise in pitch/level pitch]（微升/平調）、[second, slightly larger rise in pitch]（第二次較大的升調），以及找到句子的最高音 [Highest] 與最低音 [Lowest]。

透過這樣將語調「視覺化」並反覆練習，我更能掌握英文母語人士在口語表達時的自然韻律。這對我未來在進行國際研討會報告或 EMI 課堂教學時，將能更有效地引導學生的注意力，減少因為語調平淡而造成的聽覺疲勞。

持續學習是一條沒有終點的道路。感謝 NTNU CAL 提供這麼棒的資源，讓我能在學術研究之外，也能將學術英語的口說能力打磨得更加鋒利！

#NTNUCAL #EMI #AcademicEnglish #Pronunciation #Intonation #YingChuChen #LifelongLearning

(影片說明：Kaiva 個人簡介影片片段)

[Continuous Improvement in EMI: Refining Academic English Pronunciation and Intonation]

In the pursuit of effective scientific communication, delivering complex concepts clearly in English is a goal I constantly strive for. As I continue to explore English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) methodologies, I’ve realized that pronunciation and intonation profoundly impact how knowledge is received and processed by the audience.

To further refine my skills, I scheduled an online consultation with the Center for Academic Literacy (CAL) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on April 9, 2026. I had the privilege of working with Kaiva Hinkle (高雅), an Academic English Tutor with a strong background in linguistics.

Kaiva, who holds a B.A. in Linguistics from UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Linguistics at NTNU, brought invaluable expertise in psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics to our session.

Focus on Pitch and Intonation

During this specific session, we moved beyond basic vocabulary and grammar to focus intensely on the mechanics of speech. Using structured textual practices, we meticulously analyzed sentence structures:

• Strategic Pausing: Identifying the exact moments to [pause] to allow the audience to digest the information.
• Mastering Pitch Contours: We visually mapped out the intonation of sentences, practicing specific vocal techniques such as [small rise in pitch], [slightly larger rise in pitch], and identifying the [Highest] and [Lowest] pitch points in a statement.

Visualizing these pitch changes has significantly helped me grasp the natural rhythm of native English speech. This continuous practice is crucial for my EMI teaching and international presentations, ensuring that I can engage my students and audience effectively without the monotony of flat intonation.

Lifelong learning is essential. I am incredibly grateful for the resources provided by NTNU CAL, which empower me to sharpen my academic English speaking skills alongside my daily research routines!

#AcademicCommunication #SportsScience #NTNUCAL #EnglishSpeaking #YingChuChen