A Probe into the Extraversion and L2 Pronunciation Relationship

Zdena Kralova

doi:10.26552/com.c.2012.1.29-36

Abstract

The study assessed the relation between the overall degree of the perceived foreign accent in non-natives' English speech and some personal variables which include global factors (extraversion, anxiety, tough-mindedness, independence, self-control) and contributing primary factors, extraversion being the focus of our attention. Five native speakers of English were asked to auditorily evaluate the samples of free English speech produced by each of 75 non-native speakers using the equal-appearing interval 5-point scale. The 10-point scale was used to rate each of the personality variables for non-native speakers and the interclass correlation coefficients were calculated to identify the relevant predictors of L2 pronunciation quality.

Highlights

In this paper we introduce a project which aims to provide a comprehensive examination of personality variables in the pronunciation of a second language (L2)
We examined how the personality traits are correlated with pronunciation assessment scores, focusing on the global factor Extraversion
Due to the exploratory nature of this preliminary study and the inconsistency of previous research findings, we proposed a null hypothesis for the research question “Which personality factors correlate significantly with L2 pronunciation quality?“ – to the effect that “There is no relationship between the degree of extraversion and L2 pronunciation quality.“ Though L2 teachers and learners widely conceive extraversion/introversion as an obvious factor in L2 acquisition and there is a growing acceptance within the second language learning (SLA) community of learners’ feelings and reflections within the learning process [1], the number of linguistic studies including psychological variables is relatively limited

Summary

A PROBE INTO THE EXTRAVERSION AND L2

The study assessed the relation between the overall degree of the perceived foreign accent in non-natives’ English speech and some personal variables which include global factors (extraversion, anxiety, tough-mindedness, independence, self-control) and contributing primary factors, extraversion being the focus of our attention. Five native speakers of English were asked to auditorily evaluate the samples of free. English speech produced by each of 75 non-native speakers using the equal-appearing interval 5-point scale. The 10-point scale was used to rate each of the personality variables for non-native speakers and the interclass correlation coefficients were calculated to identify the relevant predictors of L2 pronunciation quality

Introduction

Methodology

C Emotional Stability*

Conclusions