Effects on the Listening Comprehension of Different Non-native English Accents of Chinese Learners of English

Kaniz Fatema,Wu Jidong,Joyce Yeboah

doi:10.47631/mejress.v2i1.129

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed the effects on the Listening Comprehension of Different Non-native English Accents on Chinese Learners of English. The study aimed to determine, first of all, the reaction of Chinese learners of English to different non-native English accents. Second, it sought to investigate the differences in the difficulties that Chinese learners of English face while listening to English spoken with accents native (Chinese English accent) or non-native. Third, the study attempted to find out the relationship between English spoken with the native Chinese accent and/or non-native English accents and listening comprehension. Methodology/Approach/Design: The sample included 16 participants majoring in International Education of Chinese Language. They were selected randomly for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed to collect and analyze data. Results: The findings revealed that non-native English accent plays a more important role than the native English accents in listening and comprehension. The findings also revealed a listening comprehension advantage for test-takers who are familiar with accents, in this case, the Chinese non-native English accent. Practical Implications: For a better understanding of the teaching and learning process of English as a foreign language, learners or listeners need to assess the influence of non-native accents on their listening comprehension to find better ways in improving their listening skills. This study contributes significantly to this field. Originality/Value: This study employed multi non-native accent including African English accents. It attempted to contribute significant value in this field as most of the teachers who teach English globally are non-native English Speakers and they, in essence, have considerable influence on the learners’ listening comprehension.

Highlights

Yildiz(2017) in his early works posited that linguistic theory has traditionally considered native speakers as the only reliable source of linguistic data, non-native speakers of English already outnumber the native ones
The results revealed that the students scored higher when they listened to the Canadian speaker, which suggests that familiarity with the accent facilitates listening comprehension
When the participants listened to the audios, their reaction varied from one audio to another non-native accent and it is assumed that they answered the questions based on their understanding or comprehension

Summary

Introduction

Yildiz(2017) in his early works posited that linguistic theory has traditionally considered native speakers as the only reliable source of linguistic data, non-native speakers of English already outnumber the native ones. With regards to pronunciation in particular, there exists an inseparable link between a person’s identity and his or her accent This is to say that keeping an accent, in essence, is a way of displaying one’s identity. The English accent of an Australian is different from an American or a British; again, the English accent of an Indian is different from that of a Ghanaian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or a Chinese. This is a clearly evident; these different accents attract different reactions from different listeners and these reactions one way or the other may, in turn, influence the listener's comprehensibility

Methods

Results

Conclusion