Learning Alliterations.

Around the ragged rock the ragged rascal ran.

Alliterations are simply small pieces of poetry, generally nonsensical that sound funny to say. As a teaching tool they force the muscles in the mouth and tongue to practice the movements needed to speak a different language. The way the mouth forms the sounds is crucial for good language and the term used is how we enunciate our words. Many years ago one of my students was stressed due to a speech lisp she had.

She had the speech impediment for many years but some of her friends had started to tease her. I listened to her speech and felt if she gave the muscles of the mouth and tongue specific exercise it would help her problem. Four weeks later

after praciticing her sheets of alliterations twice a day her lisp had disappeared. I have noticed a rapid improvement in Thai students with the difficult "L" and "R" sounds. If I can get them to practice the alliterations, their enunciation of the "L" and "R" sounds, improves dramatically.

www.dictionary.com

e·nun·ci·ate

verb (used with object)

to utter or pronounce (words, sentences, etc.),especially in an articulate or a particular manner: He enunciates his words distinctly.

There are thousands of illiterations on the internet for students to practice, here are just a few to get you started.

"Surely Sylvia swims!"

"Surely Sylvia swims!" shrieked Sammy, surprised.
"Someone should show Sylvia some strokes
so she shall not sink."

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Wow, race winners

Wow, race winners really want red wine right away!

Which witch

Which witch wished which wicked wish?

These six sheep

These six sheep shouldn't sleep in a shack;
sheep should sleep in a shed.

The two-twenty-two train

The two-twenty-two train tore through the tunnel.

The great Greek grape growers

The great Greek grape growers grow great Greek grapes.

The big black bug

The big black bug bit the big black bear,
but the big black bear bit the big black bug back!

Ruby Rugby's brother

Ruby Rugby's brother bought and brought her back
some rubber baby-buggy bumpers.

Round the rugged rock

Round the rugged rock, the ragged rascal ran.

Rory the warrior

Rory the warrior and Roger the worrier
were reared wrongly in a rural brewery.

Rhys watched Ross

Rhys watched Ross switch his Irish wristwatch for a Swiss wristwatch.

Peter Piper

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

Listen

Listen to the local yokel yodel.

Lily ladles

Lily ladles little Letty's lentil soup.

If you stick a stock of liquor

If you stick a stock of liquor in your locker,
It's slick to stick a lock upon your stock,
Or some stickler who is slicker
Will stick you of your liquor
If you fail to lock your liquor
With a lock!