The 'Understanding Spoken English' series is a teaching resource designed to help students of English understand spoken language as it is encountered in everyday business and social situations in English speaking environments around the world. In addition to helping students to discover the meaning of many widely used everyday expressions, this resource provides valuable information about the social and business conventions of spoken English. For example, changing the topic of conversation, agreeing and disagreeing politely, checking meaning, giving feedback and making 'small talk'. Features of English pronunciation are also examined within the context of complete conversations. The accompanying audio recordings present speakers with a variety of English accents from around the world, including North America, Australia and South Africa, as well a variety of British English accents. Information about the notable differences in pronunciation between different varieties of spoken English is provided. Table of contents: UNIT 1 STARTING SOMETHING NEW A) Spoken words and syllables B) Contracted words in spoken English C) Developing awareness of the stress patterns of English D) Names and syllables E) Stress in sentences Reference Page - Understanding the stress patterns of English UNIT 2 TALKING ABOUT THE FAMILY A) Question tags in conversational speech B) Hearing and pronouncing syllables correctly C) Hearing and using correct stress in words UNIT 3 TALKING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE A) Using pronouns B) Pronouns - pronunciation and spelling C) Changing the topic during a conversation D) Giving an opinion UNIT 4 TALKING ABOUT SHOPPING A) Question tags - revision B) Using intonation to communicate meaning C) Developing awareness of 'weak forms' in spoken English D) The linking of words in connected speech UNIT 5 TALKING ABOUT HEALTH AND SICKNESS A) Some intonation patterns of English B) Incomplete sentences in spoken English C) Phrasal verbs D) Stages in a medical consultation UNIT 6 WORRYING ABOUT MONEY A) Giving feedback B) Giving reasons - Justifying actions and opinions C) Making suggestions D) Agreeing and disagreeing politely UNIT 7 TALKING ABOUT PLACES AND PREFERENCES A) Using intonation to check meaning B) Talking about preferences C) Ellipsis - leaving words out in short replies UNIT 8 MAKING AN ARRANGEMENT BY TELEPHONE A) Stages in a phone request for service B) Checking information given on the telephone C) Using polite language when requesting service D) Pronunciation of words ending with 'ed' UNIT 9 AT A SOCIAL GATHERING A) Making small talk - appropriate topics B) Starting a conversation and keeping it going C) Revision - Using 'question tags' to begin a conversation D) Phrasal verbs - a note on correct word order Reference Lists - everyday expressions with definitions Reference Page - Some pronunciation differences between varieties of English Phonemic Chart of English Sounds.