Secret About Stress

Pronunciation is an important aspect of learning English. If you learn the incorrect pronunciation of a word, you may not understand it when someone pronounces the word correctly. Also, when you use the word, the person listening may not understand you.

Let me give you an example. An exchange student from Mexico asked me if we could go to a “boo-fet.” I did not understand where he wanted to go. I asked him for clarification. He then asked if we could go to a “boo-fet” where you eat all you want. Now, I understood. He was trying to pronounce the word buffet (buh-fay). He learned the incorrect pronunciation from his teacher of English.

How many words do you know that start with photo? Let’s make a list:

photograph, photographer, photography, photographic, photographed, photographically, photogenic

Do you know the correct pronunciation of these words? You probably can pronounce some of these words correctly.

In English, one syllable in any word is called the stressed syllable. The stressed syllable is the part of a word that you give the most emphasis to. Stressed syllables are often perceived as being more forceful than non-stressed syllables. Let’s look at some examples. The following underlined syllables are stressed:

sofa, telephone, celebrity, computer

Here are the pronunciation rules. Remember, every rule has an exception or two.

When the word ends in -al (architectural), -crat (democrat), -ist (economist), -meter (thermometer), or -y, -cy, -gy, -fy, -phy, -ry, -try, the stress generally falls on the ante-penultimate syllable. For example, in architectural, “tec” is the ante-penultimate syllable.

architectural

ar chi tec tur al

al – ultimate syllable

tu – penultimate syllable

tec – ante-penultimate syllable

When the word ends in -ian, -ic, ics, -sion, -tion, the stress is usually on the penultimate syllable. For example, politician, “ti” is the penultimate syllable.

Politician

When the word ends in -ee,-eer the stress usually is placed on the last syllable.

Employee

Most other endings, for the most part, do not change the stress of the base word. For example, -able, -ed, -er, –ful, -ing, -ise, ize, -ist, -less, -ly, -ment, -ness, -ous, -ure.

architecture, employed, useless

Prefixes usally do not change the stress of the base word. Here are some examples.

generate / degenerate

believe / disbelieve

national / international

action / transaction

In the list below, underline the stressed syllable in the word families.

photograph, photographer, photography, photographic, photographed, photographically, photogenic

economy, economic, economist, economics, economical, economically

architect, architecture, architectural, architecturally

industry, industrial, industrially, industrious, industrialize, industrialization, industrialist, industrialism

democrat, democracy, democratic, democratically, democratize, democratization

employ, employer, employee, employing, employed, employment

use, used, user, useless, uselessly, uselessness, useful, usefully, usefulness, usable

As people from all walks of life cope with the hustle and bustle of life in Singapore, school children are not spared with the academic stress either. This passage therefore serves to highlight some of the things students can do to cope with their stresses in school.

The most important element of doing well in school is to be consistent with the school work. Students who do last minute school work or prepare for their exams at the very last minute are the ones who will most likely suffer from academic stress. Therefore, one should always revise consistently, finish all assignments on time, ask and clear all questions when in doubt. In this way, by keeping up with the school work, students will less likely suffer from stress during the examinations.

As the saying goes, all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. The purpose of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) therefore serves to ensure a balance between academic studies as well as play. One should never undermine the importance of CCAs. CCAs create an avenue for students to learn new things of their personal interest aside from academic studies. This in the process can allow students to distress and not think of their school work. In addition, CCA can help to build one’s leadership qualities, which can be very useful in life later. All outstanding students too excel in their CCAs. All students should therefore study hard as well as participate actively in a CCA.

One of the ways students can cope with academic stress is to study in group. Studying in groups allow students to clear their doubts with their peers quickly. In addition, the presence of their friends helps to give students a psychological boost in times of stress.

However, the most important way to cope with academic stress is not to study hard but to study smart. Students who memorize diligently without understanding will find it very stressful to digest such a huge amount of information. Drawing mind maps can be a very effective way to help students see the big picture in a particular chapter, and in the process help them to grasp fundamental concepts easily. Students who have difficulty understanding certain topics should try to employ the use of mind maps to help them get a clearer picture.

As we can see, there are numerous ways to alleviate academic stresses. Students who feel stressed up with their studies can employ one of the above methods. Last but not least, if academic stress becomes too overwhelming, one must seek professional help immediately to contain the situation.

Reducing teacher stress is perhaps one objective of any mentors out there. It is evident that a classroom and a school is truly one stressful place to be. And being a teacher involves more stress if we are to compare with other professions.

Stress is one thing that must be avoided by any person. As such it is a serious health issue. If ever you won’t be able to counter it and experience it for a long time, your body would be the one who will suffer most. It can actually change your brain chemistry and can lower your resistance to diseases. Hence expect that you will be easily sick and irritated. Much more it is not only your system that will be affected but also your interpersonal aspect. Hence in order to reduce teacher stress here are some key suggestions you might want to apply.

Suggestion 1: Locate a support group or a colleague. The best way to relieve stress and release it is to talk it over with someone you trust. Hence it is very effective to have a close colleague and share the concern with. In addition, you might find having a support group very effective in coping with your stress. It is also in here you can get information and several solutions as to how did they address it.

Suggestion 2: Have a creative outlet. It is suggested that you have another thing to do aside from teaching that can somehow elevate your current stress status. In order for this to be achieved, one might consider pursuing some hobbies and any creative outlets that might be of interest to them. Thus, better search for a venue where you can relax and be productive at the same time. You might want to consider resurrecting your hobbies before or just about anything that you would love to do.

Suggestion 3: Take a break. Another suggestion in order to somehow reduce and even eliminate stress is to take a break and get out from the situation. It would prove really harmful on your end if you would prefer to stay in a spot where your stress can only be maintained and increase. Hence as much as possible excuse yourself and take a breather away from it. It is with this technique you can be able to recover back your normal emotion flow and also reduce teacher stress.

Stress as stated is truly dangerous. Hence it is advisable to reduce teacher stress the moment it begins so it won’t amplify in the long run affecting your emotion and your physique. Stress can be found everywhere. It is with your techniques you can be able to counter it.