The American Pronunciation Song introduces a creative, musical approach to teaching. Music. It is presented through the character of Mr. Johnson, an enthusiastic young teacher eager to help his students adopt American pronunciation speaking habits. The song highlights the differences between traditional British English and American English, the latter preferred by students in America as they have chosen the USA as their new home.
Mr. Johnson’s method cleverly introduces his students to phrases commonly reduced in informal American speech. The song walks the students through familiar WH- question phrases like “What do you want to do?”, which, in American English, becomes “Whaddaya wanna do?” “Wheredaya wanna go?”, etc. Each phrase is shortened and slightly changed which is essential for mastering American English.
The class begins with Mr. Johnson excitedly guiding his students through a chart, on which one sides shows British or standard English while the other side shows its American Pronunciation counterpart. The students repeat after their teacher, trying out themselves the differences between British and American pronunciation. As they improve their grasp of the subject matter, their interest in this method of language learning grows.
Encouraged by his students’ progress, Mr. Johnson praises them, “You sound so very good,” to which the students respond proudly, “We sound like we were born here.” By the end of the song, Mr. Johnson’s class has been successfully introduced to one of the more nuanced lessons of English language learning, which is quite useful for daily life in America, namely American Pronunciation.
The song itself is not only a language lesson but an affirmation of the students’ efforts and development in their studies. The delightful and cheerful chorus sums up the class’s positive view of the American system of education which allows students to get out as much from their education as they puts into it.
MR. JOHNSON
IT’S ALL IN A DAY
WHATEVER YOU DO
WHATEVER YOU SAY
TO HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY
MR. JOHNSON STUDENTS
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO? (WHADDAYA WANNA DO?)
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO? (WHEREDAYA WANNA GO?)
MR. JOHNSON & STUDENTS
AS LONG AS YOU TRY
YOU CAN GROW!
