The knowledge of phonetics is useful to English teachers because it

• A. Improves memory
• B. Teaches spelling rules
• C. Provides precise description of articulation of the English sounds
• D. Increases reading speed

Answer: (C)

Phonetics helps teachers describe exactly how English sounds are produced. When you know the precise place and manner of articulation, whether a sound is voiced or voiceless, and how the lips, tongue, and jaw shape the oral cavity, you can model pronunciation clearly and point out where learners differ. This kind of precise description makes it easier to teach pronunciation because you can refer to concrete articulatory features—like whether the tongue tip touches the teeth, or whether the vocal cords vibrate—to explain why one sound is made differently from another. Using this knowledge also supports teaching with the right symbols and patterns from the IPA, helping learners recognize and reproduce unfamiliar sounds more accurately. While memory, spelling rules, and reading speed can be influenced indirectly by a better handle on sounds, the core value of phonetics in teaching is the precise articulation description that guides accurate spoken English.