[etni] Question re: phonetic symbols

I have an adult student and we are working on dictionary skills.  I have been 
teaching him the phonetic symbols that I learned in America as a student, and 
which are found in most American dictionaries (smiley face over short vowels, 
straight line over long vowels, etc).  Lately I've been exposed to phonetic 
symbols from other countries and now I'm really confused. How many phonetic 
symbol systems are there?  What are we supposed to teach students? I'm running 
into phonetic symbols I've never seen before and would not be able to use 
myself.  I have told my student that he will need to check the front of 
whatever dictionary he uses in order to familiarize himself with the guide. Is 
this the best I can do?   
       
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