Piferrer natural methods: a pioneer in the teaching of English pronunciation

This paper, a historical descriptive study, is part of a ambitious research project that aims to know and analyse the methodology displayed in the teaching and learning process of English in the Spanish educational system from its origin up to the present time. It is carried out through textbooks that were used in the classrooms. We consider them a fundamental source to know the history of Education, in our case the history of the teaching of English pronunciation in Spain. These materials have been scarcely used in research, and our pourpose is to make the most of the potential they held. To carry out this study we use the work of the catalan teacher of languages Francisco Piferrer and analyse his transcription techniques, phonetic design and the methodology he used to teach the English pronunciation.