What in the world do we know about word stress?

Abstract

Word stress is an imperative part of English language learning, both in terms of comprehending spoken English and increasing oral intelligibility. However, it can often be a difficult area for learners of English to master successfully and one which is problematic for teachers of pronunciation to embrace in their teaching. This literature review presents an overview of what word stress is, its importance in intelligibility, and specific issues which certain language background groups encounter. Additionally, the review discusses and critiques the teaching methods of word stress found in commercially-produced textbooks and thus provides theoretical knowledge for teachers to incorporate into their classroom teaching. Recommendations for further research into word stress acquisition are outlined.