As you may already know, each word in English has a preferred stress. The stress is the part of the word that usually has more emphasis than the rest of the word.

computer = comPUtar football = FOOTball reply = rePLY

With regards to pronunciation, we treat the whole compound noun as a single word and usually put the stress on the first syllable.

MOtor + CYcle = MOtorcycle PUBlic + SPEAKing = PUBlic speaking SCHOOL + TEAcher = SCHOOL teacher

There is good reason to put the stress in the right place. It allows us to express ourself clearly and without confusion. Here is an example of what happens when we don’t alter the stress in the word: