Over-dramatizing stresses for learning?

[UDUT, KENNETH]

Hello again SEELANGers.

I have been looking through the archives of the list - very fastinating,
especially looking at some of the earlier stuff.

I am curious about something - in learning of Russian or other Slavic
languages where placing stress is extremely important to the
determination of the meaning of a word, might it be beneficial to
purposely over-stress or over-dramatize the stresses in words?

In listening comprehension, is it more beneficial to hear the language
spoken at a fast rate (to quicken the brain perhaps), at a 'normal'
rate, or at a slower rate?  Or perhaps learn at a slower rate (ie -
having the words and sentences pronounced at a very slow tempo, making
conscious efforts at over-dramatizing the facial expressions to get the
facial muscles used to such positions), then speed up as time goes on?
Or is speed of the rate of speech something which comes automatically as
ability to speak and comprehend speech improves?

Another question: Might acting classes help in the learning of a
language?  For example - if one is learning Russian, at the same time as
learning the grammar and some vocabulary, perhaps also learn how a
Russian who knows very little English, speaks English.

Is there a book, cassette or videotape program which shows how an
English-speaking actor might reproduce common mistakes of Russians who
know little English, speaking English?  The reason i am thinking along
these lines is that among Russians that I know, whose English is good as
far as vocabulary goes, but whose grammar is more Russian than English,
simply listening to them talk in English has helped me comprehend
Russian sentence structures a little better as I come across them in my
studies.

Resources and opinions, anyone?


-Kenneth
kenneth.udut at spcorp.com