Phonetics L2   The focus of this course is improved pronunciation. This essentially involves using the IPA, and familiarity with some technical terms that are used in basic linguistics. We will be using a variety of quizzes and games as well as exercises. Your first exam will consist of transcription from IPA into English: in the final exam you will be expected to also use the IPA to transcribe English words. The final exam will also include a test on common linguistic terms that have been studied in class.  Unfortunately, there is no set book for the course but I will provide you with the material in the form of booklets for classwork and homework.If you are interested in the study and theory of language, then you might look at these books which are aimed at a wide audience:Steven Pinker, The Language Instinct. The New Science of Language and Mind (London: Penguin, 1994)P. H. Matthews, Linguistics: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003)