The correction of learner’s English pronunciation errors through speech recognition reading program.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine if English pronunciation errors of Korean students could be corrected by using a speech recognition reading program. Twenty-four university students participated in this reading program that can count and show the students’ WCPM (words correct per minute). The results show that Korean students have difficulty pronouncing and differentiating the letters or sounds: l/r, f/th, w, and the vowel such as ou, ea, ai and o when pronounced in the word ‘one’. They started in reading material level of K3 and continued reading of K4.-5 level. Even though the contents, vocabulary and sentence length in level K4-5 were more difficult than the stories in level K3, their fluency showed gradual improvement. Through their fluency improvement it can indirectly be concluded that the student’s incorrect pronunciation had been corrected through the use of the program. And according to students’s reports, the program enabled them to correct themselves through repetition and guidance of the computer (cueing mispronounced sounds, model and repeat.) This speech recognition reading program can be a useful aid for correcting English pronunciation errors when native speaking instructors are not available to teach pronunciation in formal school settings in our country.