Acquisition Of Pronunciation Research Articles

Embracing Opportunities and Navigating Challenges: Teaching Pronunciation in the EFL Context of Nepal

English is a vital medium for international communication and academic progress in Nepal, making the mastery of pronunciation crucial for students aiming to thrive in a globalized world. This study explores the intricate landscape of pronunciation instruction in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings, examining various perspectives, challenges and effective teaching methods. Factors influencing pronunciation acquisition include learners’ native language, exposure to the target language, motivation and instructional strategies. Pronunciation instruction covers phonemes, intonation, stress, rhythm and connected speech, all essential for effective spoken communication. Challenges in teaching pronunciation involve neglect, first language interference and reception issues, highlighting the need for innovative teaching strategies. Effective methods include minimal pairs, modeling and imitation, audio recordings, phonetic symbols, pronunciation drills, visual aids, error correction, contextualization and integration with other language skills. This study emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to pronunciation instruction, raising awareness of its role in language education, and promoting continuous professional development for educators. Future research should explore innovative pronunciation teaching methods, considering new trends in language education and pedagogical advancements. By prioritizing pronunciation instruction and using evidence-based practices, educators can help learners achieve greater fluency, accuracy and confidence in spoken communication within diverse linguistic and cultural contexts.

Comparison Between English and Mandarin Vowel Systems and the Challenges for Chinese Learners of English

In contemporary China, learning English has been considered as a must for almost all students, with the pronunciation acquisition usually being the initial focus. Among the phonetic elements, the mastery of vowel pronunciation is particularly crucial in that vowels are an essential element of language. Due to its great importance, numerous studies have comparatively analyzed the English and Mandarin vowel systems and experimentally listed the challenges Chinese English learners may face. Based on these analysis, feasible measures to handle the problems posed for Chinese learners are proposed. This paper collects and concludes logically the main discoveries and theories that have been raised by former scholars, with the aim of clearly presenting the disparities between the vowel systems of the two languages, illustrating the difficulties those differences may bring about, and sharing some approaches in which teachers can help their students to get out of the way. Despite the similarities and differences between the two vowel systems, which can lead to pronunciation errors, strategies such as meticulous comparison and immediate correction can aid students in getting rid of these obstacles. Therefore, this paper is of significant value in elucidating the difficulties encountered by Chinese students in learning English pronunciation and in outlining effective pedagogical strategies for teaching pronunciation.

Comparison Between English and Mandarin Vowel Systems and the Challenges for Chinese Learners of English

In contemporary China, learning English has been considered as a must for almost all students, with the pronunciation acquisition usually being the initial focus. Among the phonetic elements, the mastery of vowel pronunciation is particularly crucial in that vowels are an essential element of language. Due to its great importance, numerous studies have comparatively analyzed the English and Mandarin vowel systems and experimentally listed the challenges Chinese English learners may face. Based on these analysis, feasible measures to handle the problems posed for Chinese learners are proposed. This paper collects and concludes logically the main discoveries and theories that have been raised by former scholars, with the aim of clearly presenting the disparities between the vowel systems of the two languages, illustrating the difficulties those differences may bring about, and sharing some approaches in which teachers can help their students to get out of the way. Despite the similarities and differences between the two vowel systems, which can lead to pronunciation errors, strategies such as meticulous comparison and immediate correction can aid students in getting rid of these obstacles. Therefore, this paper is of significant value in elucidating the difficulties encountered by Chinese students in learning English pronunciation and in outlining effective pedagogical strategies for teaching pronunciation.

Language Teaching Optimization: Enhancing the Distinction Between /i:/ and // for Second Language Learners

One of the biggest challenges encountered by second language learners is to accurately differentiate between the two vowels in English: /i:/ and //, which play an important role in everyday communication and are crucial for clear transmission of information and effective communication due to their high functional load (FL). Therefore, the paper aims to gain a more profound understanding of the difficulties learners encounter in distinguishing these vowels, with the hope of providing them with more effective learning strategies and methods. In this paper, seven English majors and seven non-English majors were selected as the study participants using an empirical research method, and audio data on the participants' pronunciation of words containing /i:/ and // were collected using a recording device and analyzed using Praat. The results indicates that both groups frequently lacked an understanding of the distinctive pronunciation characteristics of these vowels, which resulted in instances of pronunciation confusion or inaccuracy. Moreover, it proposes suggestions for enhancing teaching strategies: the integration of audio and visual teaching resources and the implementation of targeted pronunciation exercises can facilitate the acquisition of English pronunciation, thereby enhancing the accuracy and fluency of their spoken English and their performance in English communication.

Language Teaching Optimization: Enhancing the Distinction Between /i:/ and // for Second Language Learners

One of the biggest challenges encountered by second language learners is to accurately differentiate between the two vowels in English: /i:/ and //, which play an important role in everyday communication and are crucial for clear transmission of information and effective communication due to their high functional load (FL). Therefore, the paper aims to gain a more profound understanding of the difficulties learners encounter in distinguishing these vowels, with the hope of providing them with more effective learning strategies and methods. In this paper, seven English majors and seven non-English majors were selected as the study participants using an empirical research method, and audio data on the participants' pronunciation of words containing /i:/ and // were collected using a recording device and analyzed using Praat. The results indicates that both groups frequently lacked an understanding of the distinctive pronunciation characteristics of these vowels, which resulted in instances of pronunciation confusion or inaccuracy. Moreover, it proposes suggestions for enhancing teaching strategies: the integration of audio and visual teaching resources and the implementation of targeted pronunciation exercises can facilitate the acquisition of English pronunciation, thereby enhancing the accuracy and fluency of their spoken English and their performance in English communication.

Phonetic Transfer of Teochew Dialect to English Pronunciation Acquisition

The transfer of phonological features in the first language to second language pronunciation during the process of second language acquisition has long been attested. A great majority of studies analyze the negative transfer from Chinese to English, yet few focus on Chinese dialects transfer to English. This paper aims to summarize the previous studies on Teochew phonological transfer to English acquisition, including consonant transfer, vowel transfer, and tonal transfer. Under the framework of Language Transfer Theory and Contrastive Analysis Hypotheses, research gaps and possible research directions for future studies will be put forward. This paper shows that phonetic transfer occurs in Teochew-speaking groups learning English, influenced by the dialects consonants, vowels and likely tones. Further research should explore transfer causes across different age groups and test classroom phonetic correction methods for Teochew-speaking English learners.

A Review of the Influence of Wu Dialect on English Pronunciation Acquisition

The Wu dialect is widely spoken in Wu-speaking regions of China, which covers a considerable number of English learners. However, the phonetic system of the Wu dialect differs significantly from that of English, which greatly affects the English learning process of Wu-speaking learners, thus attracting numerous researchers to conduct related studies. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of research on the influence of Wu dialect on English phonological learning over the past two decades and presents a selection of twenty-seven papers to explore the theoretical framework, the research methodology, and the specific impacts encountered by English language learners who speak Wu dialect. Among them, the theoretical discussion centered on language transfer theory, Fleges Speech Learning Model and Bests Perceptual Assimilation Model; the research methodology consisted of qualitative analysis and empirical study; and the focus was placed on positive and negative transfer effects, i.e., the challenges posed by the absence or presence of phonological differences in the Wu dialect to the learners of English. The findings reveal significant segmental and suprasegmental influences in English pronunciation acquisition, with segmental challenges including differentiation of consonants and incomplete articulation of vowels, and suprasegmental challenges including stress placement, intonation patterns, and phonological rhythm. In addition, the discussion highlights the need for more empirical studies to supplement qualitative analyses, the consideration of regional variations within Wu dialect, and the exploration of teaching strategies informed by research findings. Therefore, the paper advocates for future research focusing on regional differences, deeper exploration of suprasegmental influences, integration of research into teaching practices, and diversified research methods.

Student’s Perceptions of Youglish as Instructional Technology and Media for Learning English Pronunciation

Fluency in pronunciation is a crucial aspect of effective verbal communication. Inaccurate pronunciation can result in a misinterpretation of the word's intended meaning. Consequently, it is imperative to have media resources that assist pupils in comprehending pronunciation better. There are numerous media platforms available, one of them being YouGlish. The research aims to investigate students' perception on the the use of Youglish as instructional technology and media for learning English pronunciation. YouGlish is a website that utilizes YouTube videos to enhance English pronunciation. The researchers employed the descriptive qualitative method in this study. This study was carried out for second semester English students. The instruments utilized in this investigation consisted of a questionnaire and an interview. The data indicates that students hold favorable views regarding the utilization of YouGlish. The research findings demonstrated the students' viewpoint regarding the use of YouGlish for enhancing English Pronunciation learning. The survey findings also indicated predominantly favorable and unfavorable feedback. The utilization of both of these instruments is the method to ascertain the students' perspectives on the integration of YouGlish in pronunciation acquisition. Ultimately, YouGlish has the ability to pique students' interest in studying Pronunciation and foster a desire to learn. In conclusion that YouGlish has the ability to generate students' interest in studying by virtue of its online platform, which may actively engage them with a fervent enthusiasm for learning the subject matter.

Common Pronunciation Errors among Vietnamese Learners of English from Phonological Perspectives

This study investigates the phonological challenges encountered by Vietnamese learners of English and explores the strategies employed to address these challenges. A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising a quantitative survey administered to 152 participants and semi-structured interviews conducted with a subset of 7 participants. Quantitative analysis of survey data revealed perceived difficulty levels for various phonological aspects of English pronunciation, with reconciling spelling and pronunciation emerging as the most challenging aspect. Qualitative interviews provided deeper insights into learners' experiences, highlighting additional phonological challenges such as distinguishing between vowel sounds and mastering intonation patterns. Participants reported employing a range of strategies, including regular practice, utilization of resources, and participation in interactive learning experiences, to address pronunciation difficulties. The implications of this research are twofold. Firstly, it contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding English pronunciation learning among Vietnamese learners. Secondly, the identified strategies offer valuable insights for language teaching and support. Educators can tailor their teaching approaches to address the specific phonological challenges highlighted in this study, fostering more effective English pronunciation acquisition among Vietnamese learners. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of providing diverse learning resources and opportunities for interactive practice to enhance pronunciation skills. These implications not only enrich our understanding of language acquisition processes but also have practical implications for educators, curriculum developers, and language learners alike.

Students' Perception of Learning Vashmid Model of Japanese Pronunciation Through Online Mode

Language acquisition is intricately connected to mastering pronunciation. Japanese pronunciation acquisition is mostly implemented through drill techniques and repetition activities. Drill approach is seen suitable for enhancing pronunciation skills due to its emphasis on language skills. Learning using drill techniques has traditionally been conducted in face-to-face or offline settings. Technological progress and the pandemic have led to an increase in online learning. Researchers aim to study Japanese pronunciation acquisition through online methods that had previously been conducted in person. This study aims to identify the students' perceptions and challenges encountered when learning pronunciation using online methods. The research employed a descriptive qualitative method by administering questionnaires to 15 students from the Japanese Language Education Study Program at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. These students had undergone pronunciation instruction utilizing the VASHMID paradigm in an online setting. Most students in the study believe that learning pronunciation effectively is achievable through online methods. The pupils have successfully predicted and prepared for any challenges that may arise during online learning.

Error Analysis of English Pronunciation Acquisition by Chinese Non-English Majors

Chinese non-English majors are a large group of English learners. In the process of English pronunciationacquisition, issues such as incomplete phonological knowledge, transfer of mother tongue, and overgeneralization, lead to confusion of phonemes and stress, misunderstanding of syllable structure, and errors of assimilation, drop, and epenthesis. The accuracy of English pronunciation can only be improved by knowing both English and Chinese phonological systems, strengthening the teaching of English phonological knowledge, and adopting various phonological training activities.

Mobile-assisted language learning and pronunciation instruction: A systematic literature review

AbstractIn recent years, learners worldwide have expressed increasing interest in mobile learning and the utilization of mobile devices for language learning purposes. However, few research synthesis studies have focused on pronunciation development in relation to employing MALL (mobile-assisted language learning). This review article contributes to the discourse on how mobile learning aids in acquiring and practicing EFL (English as a foreign language) pronunciation since it is this language system that is both a crucial and frequently neglected aspect of English language learning. With the emergence of e-generation, it is necessary to investigate the influence of MALL on pronunciation acquisition. This paper provides a systematic literature review of the findings of 15 empirical studies published between 2015 and 2022, which is based on PRISMA 2020. The aim of the review is threefold: to investigate the effect of mobile devices on L2 learners’ pronunciation performance, examine learners’ attitudes toward employing mobile learning for pronunciation practice and development, and identify which mobile devices and apps are present in the process. The results indicate that overall, mobile learning exerts a beneficial impact on L2 pronunciation and that participants in the reviewed studies demonstrate positive attitudes toward MALL. Moreover, smartphones appear to be at the center of attention as the primary mobile device, and it was revealed that a variety of mobile apps and platforms have been employed in the studies. The article concludes with pedagogical implications and recommendations for potential research exploration in the future.

Pedagogical grammar as the framework of TEFL research. Part 15. Age and foreign language acquisition: biological, cognitive and affective factors

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the three groups of factors (biological (neurological), cognitive and affective), which are believed to be related to the impact of the learnersʼ age on the foreign language acquisition. Having analyzed the available research data concerning the possible role of biological aspects the hypothetic critical age may be based on (laterization, puberty, plasticity of specific brain areas, neuronsʼ maturation time, the thalamus hypothesis), the author formulates the preliminary conclusion about the contradictive data on the issue and the need for further research in the area. The same generally applies to the cognitive and affective aspects of the problem. The age differences in the foreign language learning can only partially be explained by different attitudes to language as an object of acquisition of children and adults considering a wide range of varieties within each of the said groups. The difference in adult and child acquisition strategies can be explained by a number of cognitive factors, such as the strong social attitude to the use of the native and foreign languages, as well as the ability of abstract thinking in adults. The cognitive development can explain why teenagers learn the language better than younger children, but it cannot account for the advantage of teenagers in the field of pronunciation acquisition or the childrenʼs better results in speaking over long periods of time. As far as affective aspects are concerned, many adults have problems in passing through the crucial stage (cultural stress) or they do not pass it through at all. In typical cases of language acquisition, most affective factors in the language environment are unfavorable for adults and favorable or neutral for children, creating unequal learning conditions. At the same time, some adults manage (due to individual and other factors) to approach the affective parameters of the childʼs conditions of acquisition. This may be an explanation for cases of adultsʼ rapid and effective acquisition of the foreign language.

The Influence of Stress Position on English Vowel Pronunciation and Its Significance for Phonological Acquisition of Chinese Students

Pronunciation is an important part of English learning. Vowel pronunciation, in particular, is an obstacle that learners often encounter. Various literature and experiments have suggested that when Chinese students learn English, they often make pronunciation deviations or errors because of the differences between their native vowels and English vowel pronunciation. Therefore, it is of far-reaching significance to study the influence of the position of stress in words on the pronunciation of English vowels. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of the position of stress in words on the pronunciation of English vowels, and to apply the results to the acquisition of English pronunciation by Chinese students. Through data and information analysis, a method is expected to be found to improve the quality of English pronunciation acquisition, and provide theoretical and practical support for English teaching. The results of this study show that the stress position in a word has a certain influence on the pronunciation of English vowels, and the pronunciation of vowels in different positions is obviously different, through which practical suggestions for Chinese students' English pronunciation acquisition can be provided, such as more targeted training for different vowel pronunciation.

“Three months on, I still sound like an Anglophone”: Tales of Success and Failure told by English and French Tandem Partners

This paper reports on two ways in which success and failure can be operationalized and quantified in a non-institutional L2 learning context such as language tandem setting. We draw on the SITAF database, where we gathered 25 hours of video-recorded conversations held by 21 pairs, each consisting of a native speaker of English and a native speaker of French. The tandems performed collaborative tasks in both languages, thus giving each participant ample opportunity to be both the ‘expert’ and the ‘novice’ (learner) part of the dialogue. The tandem partners met regularly and autonomously outside of the recording sessions, and making progress in their L2 was one of their declared goals. Two possible measures of success in achieving this goal are: (1) the quality and quantity of learner uptake which followed the expert’s corrective feedback (CF) during the recorded conversations. Significant differences between the two L1 groups were observed: while 52% of the CF given by the native French speakers met with total uptake, over 52% of the English CF generated no uptake at all; (2) the participants’ own narratives of progress, as both the experts and the learners, obtained through questionnaires they filled out at the end of the program. Our study aims to contribute to the discussion on the stakes of successful L2 informal learning (with a focus on the acquisition of L2 pronunciation) by adopting a perspective which combines learners’ spoken output data and learners’ perceptions of their own language learning activity.

The Use of ELSA Speak as a Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) towards EFL Students Pronunciation

This study analyses how students' pronunciation can be improved through the use of the ELSA Speak as a Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL) tool. ELSA stands for English Language Speech Assistant. The speech recognition function of ELSA Speak is powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and it provides users with feedback to help them improve their pronunciation, which improves their ability to speak English. This study investigates the influence and potential of the ELSA Speak application on the acquisition of pronunciation by employing a qualitative research method and a strategy that relies on library research. The findings highlight the significance of having an excellent content design, an efficient pedagogical and instructional design, gamified learning elements, automatic voice recognition technology, a secure learning environment, and individualised digital feedback. The findings of the study indicate that there is considerably significant potential for the ELSA Speak application to help students improve their pronunciation skills. The consequences of this research emphasize the necessity of utilising cutting-edge mobile applications for language learning and highlight the possible benefits for students interested in improving their pronunciation proficiency.
 
 Keywords: Elsa Speak; Mobile-Assisted Language Learning; Students' Pronunciation; Pronunciation Improvement.

Errors in Pronouncing English in the English Department Students

The aim of this study was to find out students’ errors in pronouncing vowel sounds which consisted of twelve sounds. The researcher used fourth-semester students of English Department at the University of Bengkulu. The method used in this research was descriptive qualitative because the researcher described about the students’ errors. Four students taken from three classes of English Department in academic year 2021/2022 WERE the sample used in this study. To collect the data, the researcher used a pronunciation test as the instrument. In analyzing the data, the researcher transcribed the recording in the form of phonetic transcription. As a result, the researcher found that students made errors in all of the vowel sounds. All of the students made error in pronouncing vocabularies with vowel sound /ɔ:/ and /ʊ/. Those errors are classified into three kinds of errors namely vowel length error, different English vowel sound system from Indonesian Vowel and students’ Wrong Pronunciation Acquisition. First, the students cannot differentiate the vowel length such as vowel /iː/ into vowel /ɪ/ and vice versa, vowel /u:/ to vowel /ʊ/, vowel /ɜː/ into vowel /e/ and vowel sound /Ʌ/ into /ɑ:/. Second, the students substituted the vowel /æ/ into vowel /e/ and vowel sound /ә/ into /e/ or vice versa because there is no vowel sounds such as /æ/ and /ә/ in Indonesian. Last, the students substituted the vowel /ɔː/ into /ɑ:/ and vowel /ʊ/ into vowel /ə/ where they were actually different but the students considered that it was true.

Peningkatan Kemampuan Berbicara Bahasa Arab Siswa Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Melalui Thariqah Mubasyarah

ABSTRACT
 The purpose of this study was to determine the improvement of students' Arabic speaking/muhadatsah skills through the use of the Thariqah Mubasyarah method in learning. This research is a Classroom Action Research (CAR) by taking a sample of class IV A students at the Gulai Bancah State Madrasah Ibtidaiyah (MIN) Bukittinggi City. The data was obtained through two cycles of class action activities. This study found that student learning outcomes through the tariqah mubasyarah method showed a very significant increase, namely; 1) the use of pronunciation increased from 11% to 73%, 2) the use of intonation from 11% to 60% and 3) the use of expression from 15% to 77%. This means that the value of students using the Tariqah Mubasyarah method has increased by an average of 70%. After the implementation of cycle I and cycle II, and the acquisition of pronunciation, intonation and expression values, there is no longer a value of 1. In general, students in muhadatsah are able to use pronunciation, intonation and expression well. This study concluded that learning Arabic using the tariqah mubasyarah method can improve students' Arabic speaking skills (muhadatsah) and have a positive effect on their learning outcomes.
 
 Keywords : Arabic; learning; muhadatsah;thariqah mubasyarah

The efficacy of the type of instruction on second language pronunciation acquisition

This study investigates the efficacy of the type of instruction (i.e., perception-based vs. production-based) on second language (L2) pronunciation acquisition in an English as a foreign language (EFL) context. To achieve this objective, 60 tertiary-level Jordanian learners of English were recruited and put into two groups (30 learners in each group). Group A received 6 weeks of perception-based instruction on both segmental and suprasegmental aspects of English pronunciation, and Group B received production-based instruction over the same period and on the same aspects of pronunciation. Progress in L2 pronunciation was assessed at three time points (i.e., week 1, week 6, and week 14). Pre-, post- and delayed post-tests were run to achieve the study’s objective. A statistical analysis was conducted to analyse the data. The results show that both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in L2 pronunciation accuracy; in particular, Group A which received perception-based instruction demonstrated higher gains in segmental, syllabic, and prosodic aspects while Group B which received production-based instruction demonstrated more improvement in both global (i.e., comprehensibility) and temporal (i.e., fluency) aspects of pronunciation. However, both groups demonstrated similar gains on the delayed post-test. The findings provide implications for L2 pronunciation learners and teachers on the impact of the type of instruction on the addressed aspects of pronunciation.

The Influence of Chinese Dialect on English Pronunciation Acquisition: Evidence from Liaoning Accent as An Example

It is universally known that people are always affected by their mother tongue during the process of second language acquisition (SLA), especially in the aspect of speaking. In the circumstance that there are huge differences between the two languages, the accent of L1 will be transferred into L2 unconsciously by the learners. Chinese EFL learners can be deemed as one of the typical examples. There are varieties of accents in each province or region of China; hence the learners usually speak English in the way of their dialects pronunciation. This article found the following problems by analyzing the questionnaire: the Liaoning learners are prone to adding rhotic sound and pronounce it clearly at each word; they are used to add stress in the end of sentences; also, they are more likely to speak fast so that some vowel may be ignored. And all these phenomena are generated because these features exist in the Liaoning accent itself, and they are negatively transferred into the English speaking.