Enhancing Discrimination and Production of English Vowels Using Task-Based Training

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of task-based training program on the discrimination and production of English vowels. It also examined the extent to which these two levels of pronunciation performance are correlated. The participants, consisting of 66, were selected from the first year English department students at the Faculty of Education Al Azhar University. A test of vowel discrimination and production, made up of two parts, was constructed for the study. The program, comprising 32 tasks recorded by a native speaker teacher of English, was administered in 10 weeks for the experimental group students, including pre and posttests. Results indicated that task-based training proved effective in the discrimination and production of vowels. Results also indicated that discrimination and production are positively correlated. The study called for adopting task-based training and explicit instruction of pronunciation to help learners be aware of the constituent parts of vowel sounds and develop acute discrimination that relates to enhanced production.