Syllables and word stress are fundamental aspects of English pronunciation. Knowing how to properly stress syllables and words can greatly improve a learner's ability to communicate effectively in spoken English. In this lesson, we will be discussing the basics of syllables and word stress, and how to properly identify and stress them in words. To begin, we will introduce the concept of syllables. A syllable is a unit of sound that is typically made up of one or more vowel sounds, often accompanied by one or more consonant sounds. For example, the word "happy" has two syllables: "hap" and "py". It's important to note that every word has at least one syllable, and some words can have many syllables. Next, we will discuss the importance of word stress in English. Word stress refers to the emphasis placed on a certain syllable or syllables within a word. This emphasis can change the meaning of the word and can also help to differentiate between words that sound similar but have different meanings. For example, the words "record" and "record" have different meanings depending on where the stress is placed. If the stress is on the first syllable, it refers to a document of past events, while if the stress is on the second syllable, it refers to the act of recording something. After introducing syllables and word stress, we will discuss some basic rules for identifying stress in English words. One common rule is that in words with two syllables, the stress is usually placed on the first syllable. For example, the word "happy" is stressed on the first syllable.