Assignment 1: Phonology

English phonology refers to the study of the sounds used in the English
language, including their production, distribution, and variation. English has a
complex phonological system with a variety of consonants, vowels, and
diphthongs. Some key features of English phonology include:

1. Pronunciation
Using the correct sounds when you speak, others can quickly understand what
you're trying to say. Pronunciation is vital to proper
communication because the incorrect use of pronunciation inevitably leads to
the message being misunderstood by the recipient.
English phonology exhibits significant variation across different varieties of
English, such as British English, American English, Australian English, and
others. Each variety may have distinct vowel and consonant sounds, as well as
unique intonation patterns and phonological features.

Phonetics: 44 Phonemes:-
24- Consonant, 12- Vowels/ Monophthongs, 8 –Diphthongs
Consonants: English has a diverse set of consonant sounds, including both
voiced and voiceless sounds. Some common consonants include /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/,
/k/, /g/, /f/, /v/, /s/, /z/, /ʃ/ (sh), /ʒ/ (zh), /h/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/ (ng), /l/, and /r/. These
consonants are articulated in different parts of the mouth and with various
manners of articulation.

Vowels: English has a relatively large vowel inventory compared to some other
languages. There are short and long vowels, as well as diphthongs (vowel
combinations). Some common vowel sounds in English include /iː/ (as in
"beet"), /ɪ/ (as in "bit"), /eɪ/ (as in "bay"), /æ/ (as in "bat"), /ɑː/ (as in "bath"),
/ɔː/ (as in "bought"), /ʊ/ (as in "book"), /uː/ (as in "boot"), /ə/ (schwa, as in
"sofa"), and /ɜː/ (as in "bird").

2. Syllable:
A unit of pronunciation having one vowel sound, with or without surrounding
consonants forming the whole or a part of a word.
In English, a syllable is the basic building block of spoken language. It's a
unit of sound containing a single vowel sound, pronounced as a whole. You
can think of it as a "mini-word" within a larger word.
 1) Monosyllabic words: hat

cut

2) Disyllabic words: e-ffect

So-rry

3) Trisyllabic words: Ci-vi-lize

Re-fresh-ment

4) Four and more than four: pho-to-gra-phic

Lon-gi-tu-di-nal

3. Stress:

English is a stress-timed language, which means that stressed syllables occur at

regular intervals, while unstressed syllables may be shorter and less prominent.
Stress patterns can vary depending on the type of word and its grammatical
function. Intonation, or the rise and fall of pitch in speech, also plays a crucial role
in conveying meaning and expressing emotions in English.
I. Word Stress:
 First Syllable
Stressed- 'beautiful
'Canada
 Second Syllable Stressed-
Im 'portant
Com 'munity
 Other Syllable Stressed
accomo 'dation
acci-dental

o In Monosyllable words, First syllable is stressed:

`man
`all
`he

o In Two Syllabic words ,second syllable is stressed:

re'bel
 con'vert
es'cort

o In Three syllabic words, first/second/third syllable is stressed.

(a) 'article
'character

(b) No'vember
to'morrow

(c) guaran'tee
engin'eer

 The words which has the primary stresses on the first syllable
function as nouns, while the words with the primary stresses on the
second syllable function as verbs and adjectives in a sentence.
Noun/Adjective: Verb
i. 'desert : de' sert
ii. 'rebel : re'bel
iii. 'object : obj'ect
iv. 'convert: convert
v. 'export : ex' port

II. Word Groups Stress:

 Compound words, first syllable stressed
'mealtime
'footprint
'daylight
 Compound words, both syllables are stressed
'half 'way
'old' world
'high' land

III. Sentence Stress :

words, phrases and word groups are components to build a sentence. The
stresses you are going to have in sentences will show the important words
or parts of what you mean to say. They will also indicate the feelings or
emotion of the speaker.
 1. I am not mad, I just cannot understand why you do that!
2. I am not mad, I 'just cannot understand 'why you 'do that!
3. I am 'not 'mad, I just 'cannot understand 'why you 'do that!
4. 'I am 'not 'mad, I just 'cannot understand 'why you 'do ' that!

4. Intonation:
While pitch refers to the degree of high or low a tone on a syllable,
intonation is the
flow, the music, the going up and down of pitch over different syllables
in an utterance.
The three main patterns of intonation in English are:
A) Rising intonation:
It is used to indicate a rise in the pitch of the voice.
1) Yes-No Questions: Is your birthday today?
2) Polite Requests: . Pay attention please
3) Statements: I'm not surprised.

B) Falling intonation:
It is used to indicate when the pitch of the voice falls.
1. Normal, neutral sentences.:
John works hard in school.
2. Giving information or making observations.
3. Asking information/Wh
questions. Why are you not happy?
4. Giving commands:
Leave the door open.
5. Instructions, or orders.

C) Fall-rise intonation:

Fall-rise intonation, also known as rising-falling intonation or

circumflex intonation, is a type of pitch pattern used in spoken language.
It involves a downward movement of pitch followed by an upward
movement within the same intonation unit.

This type of intonation pattern can convey various meanings depending

on the context and the linguistic elements involved. In general, it often
indicates a complex or nuanced attitude or emotion, such as uncertainty,
surprise, skepticism, or a combination of these. It can also be used to
signal that more information is coming, to seek clarification, or to
express a tentative statement.

For example, in the sentence "You're going to the store?" the pitch starts
low, rises slightly, then falls at the end, indicating a question with a hint
of surprise or confirmation-seeking.

Fall-rise intonation is commonly observed in interrogative sentences,

particularly those that are seeking confirmation or expressing surprise,
but it can also occur in declarative or imperative sentences for various
pragmatic purposes.
 Assignment 2: Presentation Skills
1. Content Structuring
 Introduction
-Attention getting statement -
-Thesis statement –State the specific purpose of your presentation here.
-Preview statement – Overview of all of your main points .
o “I want to start by…”
o “The topic I intend to discuss is …..”
o “First , I am going to present….Then I’ll share with
you…Finally, I’ll ask you to…”
o “The next thing I’ll share with you is……”
o “In the next section. I’ll show you…”
o “This time I’ll be covering 3 or 4 key points…”
o By the end of this presentation, you’ll be able to….

 Main body:
Chronological
Categorical
Cause and effect
Problem-solution

 Introduction of main point:

“The crux of matter is…..”
“The next point is crucial…”
“Fundamentally…”

 Rephrasing the main points:

“That is to say ….”
“So now what we have is….”
“The point I am making is…..”
“Let me put that another way…”
 “In other words…..”
“As I have been saying …”

 Introducing an example:
“Let me illustrate this by referring to….”
“A care in point is….”
“Take the care of……”
“A good example of this is….”
“I’d like to give an example to illustrate my point.”

 A digression:
“I might just mention ......”
“Incidentally ...... ”
“That reminds me of ...... ”

 Moving on to another main point:

“Let’s now consider…”
“I’d like to move on to..... ”
“Now let’s have a look at.....”
“The next aspect of the topic I wish to consider is….”

 Handing over to another speaker: I

will now insist [NAME] to…
I will now handover to [NAME] who will…
The next section relates to ,and this will be presented by
[NAME].

 Summing up main points:

“To recapitulate… ”
“To sum up ....”
“Therefore… ”
 “As a result…..”
“If I can just sum up …..”
“Thus we can see ….”

 Insisting questions:
That concludes our presentation. However, I am/we are happy to
answer any question.
“Are there any question?”
“Please feel free to ask questions.”
“I am/ We are happy to take questions.”

 Use appropriate charts:

“Pie charts- to show percentages.”
“Vertical bar charts-to show changes in quality over time.”
“Horizontal bar charts –to compare quantities .”
“Line charts- to demonstrates trends.”

 Conclusion
o You can give proverb or a quotation which is relevant.
o In case of general topic give your opinion first and how you
feel about it.
o Then give a solution what can be done to make the present
situation even better or as a person or organization how did
you contribute to the topic,etc.

2. Preparation and Planning

I. Analyze your audience
 What are their interests, likes and likes?
 Are they familiar with the topic?
 Is their attitude hostile or friendly?
 What’s the size of the group?
  Age range and gender distribution?
II. Select a topic
III. Define the objectives of the presentation
IV. Prepare body of the presentation
 Present data and facts
 Read quotes from experts
 Relate personal experiences
 Provide vivid descriptions
V. Prepare the introduction and conclusion
 Make the introduction relevant to the listeners ‘ goals, values and
needs.
 Ask questions to stimulate thinking
 Share a personal experience
 Begin with a joke or humorous story
 Project colourful visual
 Make a stimulating or inspirational statement
 Give a unique demonstration
VI. Practicing and delivering the presentation
 Speaking from memory
 Speaking from notes
 Speaking from texts

3. Welcome Note
 Why do you need a welcome speech?
A welcome speech is a speech given by the host at the beginning of a
ceremony or to show warmth and gratitude to those who have taken pains to
mark their presence. It is a statement that marks the beginning of any event,
meeting, gathering or celebration.
Start your speech by greeting the audience, before giving an overview of the
event and end the speech by introducing the next speaker, then thanks to the
audience again for attending the program.

In simple terms, welcome speech is given to start any special occasion or event,
and it is given to welcome an individual into a function.

 Welcome Speech For The Chief Guest:

Good Morning to all of you.

Today, on behalf of the Academy, I welcome you all to this annual

sports day, year . Sports is an integral part of our life which gives us
health and vitality.

Along with studying in schools, it is very important to have sports as well;

therefore, in our school, students are given facilities of education as well as
sports.
Physical education brings confidence and inspiration in the lives of children
that is why every year we organize an annual sports day in our school so that
children can further develop their sportsmanship.

Another great pleasure is that this year our school has been given the status
of the best institution and our effort will always be such that our institute can
get precious status here every year.
I would like to thank my school teachers as well as the parents who encouraged
their children to progress in education as well as sports.
So welcome with respect our chief guest, sports minister of our state Mr.
who has won three gold medals and two bronze medals for our
country in the first Olympics.
Thanks!
4. Vote of thanks

1. A Vote of Thanks is a well-prepared speech given formally and

publicly to thank the host, the organizer and other participants for their
presence and contribution to an event. It is an important part of every
event.
2. It is very important that you do not miss out to include any of the
esteemed guests, the host and the dignitaries in your speech. You
should also take care to thank the participants and the people who
would be a part of the event.
3. A Vote of Thanks is probably the last item for any event - be it
Teacher's Day, Annual Day, Birthday Party, the list goes on. Make sure
that you do not write long unwinding sentences. Keep it short and
simple. You can start your vote of thanks speech by greeting everyone
present or with a good quote on gratitude, followed by the list of guests
you have to extend your thanks on behalf of the organization or the
party that is hosting the event. It is then that you thank the participants
and everyone who has been there for the event. Finally, you can end by
thanking the hosts for having given you the opportunity to represent
them.

Vote of Thanks Speech for Teachers’ Day

A very good morning to all. On behalf of all students and staff, I am
glad to be standing here to express my vote of thanks. A special thanks
to our Chief Guest, Ms Sandhya, for accepting our invitation and for
being here with us today. Your thoughts have truly inspired us. I thank
our Headmistress, Ms. Karishma, for always supporting and guiding us.
Our Teachers, the superstars of today, always put in a lot of effort and
love into making each one of us good students and wonderful human
beings. You have always been generous with your time when your
students need you no matter what. Thank you dear Teachers. I would
be failing in my duty if I did not thank my fellow
students who have made this day possible. I would also like to thank
each and every one of you for being here and making this day a
wonderful and memorable one for our dear teachers. Thank you once
again.
 Assignment 3: Facing Interview
1. Competencies the employer is looking for:
 Enthusiasm
 Decision making
 Leadership
 Personal attributes
 Team building
 Flexibility
 Communication
 Knowledge/Skills

2. Personal Introduction
 Thanking the interviewer
 Name
 Place
 Educational Qualification
 Reason for choosing the profession
 Work experience
 Strengths and weakness
 Family
 Hobbies
 Life’s aim
 Conclusion

 Draft (Personal Introduction):

My name is Tushar Panole and I am currently living in Lonavala, Pune. I

completed my schooling and graduation from Gujrat.
The stories I heard from my friend regarding his adventures while
roaming around the world with his father, a former Merchant Navy
 Captain, really amazed me. This was back in 2011, when I decided that
this will be my career path moving forward.
My biggest strengths are honesty and capacity of learning things.
Procrastination is one of my biggest weakness and one of the toughest
ones to conquer. However, I keep working on it tirelessly every day.
My family comprises of my Mother, father and a younger sister. I
live in a nuclear family.
My hobbies include reading ,writing ,sketching and amongst these
things. I also Like to play volley ball. As I sell my decade old dream of
getting into merchant Navy coming true. I am confident that I will be
successful in life; however I aim to be a good person and someone people
look up to and get inspired. Thank You.

3. Attitude:
1. Work ethic,
2. respectfulness,
3. initiative,
4. honesty,
5. self-confidence
6. cheerful outlook.
7. Positive and confident,
8. a helpful team player with a positive outlook
9. courteous to others,
10. being optimistic about situations, interactions, and yourself.

4. Etiquette:
1. Timing is everything- Don’t be late, Don’t be too early
2. Dress to Impress-Formal dress and accessories
3. Practice Your handshake
4. Turn your Mobile Phone off
5. Body Language
6. Always Be Prepared
7. Don’t over share
8. Show Gratitude
5. Body Language:

1. Do sit up straight and look genuinely interested.

2. Do keep good eye contact.
3. Don’t slouch.
4. Don’t lean forward, towards the interviewer.
5. Don’t point.
6. Don’t cross your arms.
7. Don’t stare for too long.
8. Don’t fidget.
9. Don’t keep looking around the room.
10. sit straight
11. Stay calm. Avoid being nervous during interviews.

1. Kinesics: Kinesics is the interpretation of body motion communication

such as facial expressions and gestures, nonverbal behavior related to
movement of any part of the body or the body as a whole.
2. Proxemics: Proxemics is the study of human use of space and the effects
that population density has on behaviour, communication, and social
interaction..
3. Haptics: Haptic communication is a branch of nonverbal
communication that refers to the ways in which people and animals
communicate and interact via the sense of touch. Touch is the most
sophisticated and intimate of the five senses.
4. Chronemics: Chronemics is the study of the use of time in nonverbal
communication. Time perceptions include punctuality, willingness to wait,
and interactions. The use of time can affect lifestyles, daily agendas, speed
of speech, movements and how long people are willing to listen.
5. Paralanguage/vocalics: Paralanguage, also known as vocalics, is a
component of meta-communication that may modify meaning, give
nuanced meaning, or convey emotion, by using techniques such as
prosody, pitch, volume, intonation, etc. the non-lexical component of
 communication by speech, for example intonation, pitch and speed of
speaking, hesitation noises, gesture, and facial expression.
6. Appearance

6. Diction:

1. Slang and one-liners must not be used in interviews.

2. Avoid cracking jokes with the interviewer.

Introduction: Facing an interview can be nerve-wracking, whether it's your first

time or your hundredth. It's the moment where your qualifications, experiences,
and personality are put under the microscope, all with the hope of landing that
dream job or opportunity. However, with proper preparation and mindset, you
can navigate through the interview process with confidence and poise. Here are
some valuable tips to help you master the art of facing an interview.

1. Research the Company: Before stepping into the interview room, it's crucial to
research the company thoroughly. Understand its mission, values,
products/services, recent achievements, and any challenges it might be facing.
This knowledge not only demonstrates your genuine interest but also helps you
tailor your responses to align with the company's goals and culture.
2. Know Your Resume: Your resume serves as a blueprint of your professional
journey. Be prepared to discuss every aspect of it, from your education and work
experience to your skills and accomplishments. Anticipate questions based on the
information provided in your resume and be ready to provide specific examples
that highlight your expertise and suitability for the role.
3. Practice Common Interview Questions: While you can't predict every question
you'll be asked, there are certain common interview questions that frequently
come up, such as "Tell me about yourself," "What are your strengths and
weaknesses?" and "Why do you want to work here?" Take the time to practice
your responses to these questions, ensuring that your answers are concise,
relevant, and showcase your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position.
4. Showcase Your Achievements: Interviews are not just about listing your
qualifications; they're an opportunity to showcase your achievements and how
you've made a tangible impact in your previous roles. Prepare specific examples
of projects you've worked on, challenges you've overcome, and results you've
achieved. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible, as numbers tend to
resonate with interviewers and provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.
5. Dress Appropriately: First impressions matter, and your appearance plays a
significant role in how you're perceived during an interview. Dress appropriately
for the company culture and industry standards, opting for professional attire that
 reflects your seriousness about the opportunity. Pay attention to grooming,
accessories, and overall presentation to ensure a polished look that exudes
confidence and professionalism.
6. Practice Non-Verbal Communication: Communication extends beyond words,
and your body language can speak volumes during an interview. Practice good
posture, maintain eye contact, and offer a firm handshake to convey confidence
and engagement. Be mindful of your facial expressions and gestures, ensuring
they align with your verbal responses and project sincerity and enthusiasm.
7. Ask Thoughtful Questions: An interview is not just an opportunity for the
employer to assess your fit; it's also a chance for you to evaluate whether the
company aligns with your career goals and values. Prepare thoughtful questions
to ask the interviewer about the role, team dynamics, company culture, growth
opportunities, and any concerns you may have. This demonstrates your genuine
interest and engagement in the conversation.
8. Stay Calm and Confident: Interviews can be stressful, but it's essential to stay
calm and composed throughout the process. Take deep breaths, maintain a
positive mind-set, and remember that you've prepared to the best of your abilities.
Focus on showcasing your strengths and qualifications, and trust in your ability
to handle whatever questions or challenges come your way.

Conclusion: Facing an interview may seem daunting, but with the right
preparation and mind-set, you can approach it as an opportunity to shine and
demonstrate your potential value to the employer. By researching the company,
knowing your resume inside and out, practicing common interview questions,
showcasing your achievements, dressing appropriately, practicing non-verbal
communication, asking thoughtful questions, and staying calm and confident,
you'll be well-equipped to tackle any interview with poise and professionalism.
Remember, every interview is a learning experience that brings you one step
closer to your career goals. So, embrace the opportunity, and go ace that
interview!