Pronunciation Skills Research Articles

Enhancing Pronunciation Skills through the Eclectic Method in University-Level English Teaching

Enhancing Pronunciation Skills through the Eclectic Method in University-Level English Teaching

Enhancing Pronunciation Skills of Diploma Students at Bangladesh University of Business and Technology through Oral Drilling: A Comparative Study of Pre- and Post-Exposure to Accurate English Sounds among ESL Learners

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of oral drilling activities for improving phonetic skills at the diploma level at the Bangladesh University of Business and Technology. Data were gathered from 200 Bangladeshi students who were purposefully chosen, who speak Bangla as their first language, and who utilize English as a second or foreign language for academic purposes using qualitative methodology. A self-developed Likert-scale structured questionnaire was used to analyse students’ understanding of their learning experience, and pre- and post-usage pronunciation tests were conducted in conjunction with reading exercise tests for phonetic improvement. This study provides important insights into ESL pedagogy in Bangladesh and has the potential to shed light on ODA as a didactic approach used in EFL contexts, which offers more appropriate curriculum-based implications for oral practice that may improve the Pronunciation skills of students.

CHALLENGES IN PRONOUNCING THE LETTER "R" IN THE INTERNATIONAL PHONETIC ALPHABET

This research aims to explore the challenges faced by students in pronouncing the letter "r" in English words. A descriptive quantitative research design was used, incorporating pronunciation tests to gather data. The study focused on eighth-grade students at SMP Islam An Nizam Medan, with a sample of 15 students selected through simple random sampling from a total of 30 students. The students' pronunciation was recorded as they read aloud from three different texts, and their performance was analyzed for errors in pronouncing the "r" sound. The results revealed significant difficulties, with a total of 79 errors across all three texts. Specifically, Text 1 contained 21 errors (26.5%), Text 2 had 39 errors (49.3%), and Text 3 accounted for 19 errors (24%). The findings highlight the widespread difficulties students face in pronouncing the "r" sound, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and teaching strategies to help improve pronunciation skills. This study contributes valuable insights into the specific pronunciation challenges encountered by non-native English learners.

Modern Technology: A Potential Tool to Impart English Language Skills

The present paper discusses the Lingua Franca of the world ‘English language’ and the role of technology in learning and teaching the English language effectively. The 21st-century modern technology has enabled learning and teaching of English very simple. We have a lot to choose from in the world of technology both hardware and software tools: Radio, TV, C.A.L.L, M.A.L.L, CD Rom, Computers, OHP, iPods, the Internet, Electronic Dictionary, Email, Blogs and Audio Cassettes, PPT’s, Videos, DVDs or VCD’s. Technology has brought a revolution in the life of people and completely changed their interaction and work dynamics. Industries were also greatly influenced and couldn’t escape the technical revolution. As a result, technology plays a vital role in teaching and learning. Using technology to teach English has a lot of advantages. Learners can get benefit from traditional educational institutions and also from online education. At the English lessons online we can unite to do the desired task. Different software programs, applications are available in learning Vocabulary, Pronunciation skills, Grammar, and LSRW skills. Many students in developed countries are making use of technology to learn the English language. But many more in underdeveloped countries fail to use tech tools for learning purposes due to inadequate tech facilities.

THE ROLE OF AMERICAN STORIES IN TEACHING ENGLISH

This study examines the effectiveness of using American stories in ESL education to enhance cultural understanding, vocabulary, listening, and pronunciation skills. By engaging with American folktales and literature, students gain exposure to idiomatic expressions, cultural nuances, and diverse language structures within meaningful contexts. Storytelling reduces language anxiety, promotes critical thinking, and provides practical language use models. Suggested classroom applications include storytelling circles, role-playing, and thematic discussions, which collectively foster cultural literacy, engagement, and language proficiency.

Artificial intelligence for language learning and teaching: A narrative literature study

The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' beliefs, the factors that influence the use of AI tools, and the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, and threats of artificial intelligence in language learning and teaching. To accomplish this, the study used a narrative literature review and ATLAS.ti 9 to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that teachers believed that Artificial Intelligence in Language Learning and Teaching (AILLT) included assessing student needs, developing appropriate learning resources, promoting collaboration among resources, providing real-time assessment tools to improve the educational process, and increasing teaching efficiency and effectiveness. Second, AI tools for writing tools, including Paperpal, Quillbot, Jenni AI, ChatGPT, Elicit, as well as in applications to improve speaking skills, such as Speeko and Vocaroo, and "Siri and Say It" for listening and pronunciation skills. Third, factors that may influence students' use of AI-based language learning tools include adaptability, engagement, motivation, autonomy, immediate or direct feedback, accessibility and inclusivity, and teacher and parent support. This research found that AI enhances accessibility, adaptability, personalization, and immediate feedback, but it also has limitations, such as dependence on technology, inadequate human interaction, limited contextual understanding, and algorithmic biases. In addition, AILLT faces potential threats such as quality control, privacy concerns, and job or task displacement. Narrative literature studies provide theoretical insights, and it is expected that future studies at different levels of language learning will incorporate empirical evidence from experimental and case study-based research.

Using Songs to Enhance Thai EFL Primary Learners’ Pronunciation of Verb With the /ing/ Ending Sound

Pronunciation is a crucial component of language acquisition, vital for achieving clarity and fluency in communication. This study, utilizing cycles of action research, aimed to evaluate the impact of songs on the pronunciation skills of Thai EFL learners. Additionally, this study explored the participants’ perceptions of using songs in their English class and employing a cyclical action research process. The study involved 25 third-grade students with poor pronunciation skills. Data was collected through song-based lessons, pronunciation pretest and posttest, and a semi-structured interview. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including means, standard deviations, and paired-sample t-tests. Qualitative data were examined using content analysis. The findings revealed that songs significantly enhanced the pronunciation skills of the participants at the 0.05 significance level, with a mean score of 76%. Participants viewed song-based lessons positively, noting improved learning environments and emotional and functional benefits. These lessons made the classroom more engaging and enjoyable while helping reduce anxiety and boost motivation. Functionally, songs aided in improving pronunciation through repetitive and rhythmic practice. The study’s findings suggest that incorporating songs into the curriculum can be an effective strategy for enhancing pronunciation skills in Thai EFL learners, providing significant pedagogical advantages and fostering a more dynamic and supportive classroom atmosphere.

The Effectiveness of Using Shadowing Technique Towards Students’ Pronunciation Skill

This study investigates the efficacy of the shadowing technique in enhancing students' pronunciation skills. The shadowing technique involves learners mimicking a native speaker in real-time to improve pronunciation accuracy and fluency. Through a controlled experiment with 31 students and 30 students as experimental group, the study evaluates the impact of shadowing on students' pronunciation proficiency compared to traditional teaching methods. The technique of collecting data was taken directly when the students said the words. Results indicate a significant improvement in pronunciation accuracy and fluency among participants who engaged in shadowing exercises, suggesting its effectiveness as a pedagogical tool for enhancing pronunciation skills. Implications for language teaching and learning are discussed.

ESL learners' perceptions of using High-Variability Phonetic Training (HVPT) through YouGlish to improve pronunciation skills

This study explores ESL learners' perceptions of using high-variability phonetic training (HVPT) through YouGlish to improve pronunciation skills. Data were collected through an online questionnaire completed by 70 upper-intermediate level ESL learners and semi-structured interviews with 20 learners. The collected data were analyzed statistically and thematically. The results revealed that the majority of learners had significantly positive attitudes towards using this online tool. They reported that YouGlish assisted them in accurately learning how to pronounce words and phrases from a variety of accents, including Australian, British, and American. Additionally, while learners had positive perceptions of using HVPT and YouGlish for pronunciation improvement, they emphasized the critical role of teachers in providing explicit corrective feedback and additional clarifications. Furthermore, the participants also reported some drawbacks of YouGlish. This study offers both theoretical and pedagogical implications for language learning and teaching.

QUAN ĐIỄM CỦA GIẢNG VIÊN VỀ VIỆC THỰC HIỆN CHƯƠNG TRÌNH TIẾNG ANH TRỰC TUYẾN ĐỒNG BỘ TẠI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC MỞ TP. HỔ CHÍ MINH

This study investigates lecturers' opinions on the non-major English program level A, which is currently being implemented in a synchronous online mode at Ho Chi Minh City Open University. A survey was conducted with the participation of lecturers who teach online for the program. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires with the participation of all 23 lecturers, and qualitative data were obtained through interviews with 10 lecturers. The findings show that the lecturers believe that the program has prepared students quite well for the course and that both lecturers and students have the capacity and conditions to participate in this type of program. However, they still face various difficulties when teaching Speaking and Pronunciation skills as well as classroom management. These difficulties are due to the nature of synchronous online teaching, poor internet connection from students, technical issues, and most notably, some students’ attitudes that are not suitable for online learning. The lecturers also contributed some opinions on the regulations of the university on students’ behavior and exams for non-major English classes in synchronous online mode. Based on the above results, we propose some solutions to improve the effectiveness of the program.

Development of phonetic skills of students in teaching English in a non-linguistic university

Importance. The topicality of teaching students the right pronunciation is explained by the fact that phonetic aspect is one of the components of the language competence. The problem of necessity of forming a phonetic competence of students studying a foreign language at a non-linguistic institution is considered. The aim of the study is to consider the difficulties of developing students’ phonetic skills when teaching English in a non-linguistic university, as well as the suggestion of measures to eliminate these difficulties.Materials and Methods. Within the framework of the research, referring to modern scientific sources on the problem posed, the basic difficulties have been revealed, the material related to measures on solving the difficulties of students in the development of pronunciation skills has been systematized and generalized, various measures to eliminate errors and improve pronunciation skills have been proposed.Results and Discussion. The examples of traditional phonetic exercises of varying complexity, as well as innovative ones, the use of which is supposed to improve the pronunciation skills of students, are considered; methods for assessing phonetic skills have been defined.Conclusion. Forming of phonetic competence is an important component of the general language competence of students. By means of a variety of teaching materials, active practice and creating a suitable environment, students can improve their phonetic skills and achieve a higher level of English proficiency. The practical application of the results of the research can be used in teaching English at a non-linguistic university.

The Impact of The English Language Speech Assistant (ELSA) Application on Students’ Pronunciation Skills

This study aims to evaluate the impact of the ELSA Speak app on students' pronunciation learning at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar by comparing their performance before and after using the app. This study employed a pre-experimental design, utilizing a post-test and pre-test method with a quantitative approach. The researchers selected 40 students from the English education class A and B of 2023 at the university. A questionnaire was conducted to understand the students' perspectives on their pronunciation skills after undergoing the treatment. The results showed that only 4 students showed a decrease in scores of pre-tests and post-test (negative ranks), whereas 23 participants demonstrated an improvement from the pretest to the posttest. The data from the t-test analysis indicated that most students experienced an increase in pronunciation skills, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving the pronunciation of EFL learners. Additionally, this data shows that the ELSA Speak app has a significant impact on improving pronunciation and also motivation.

Problems and prospects of developing spelling skills in schoolchildren with visual impairments in Uzbekistan

This article addresses issues concerning the development of accurate word pronunciation skills in English among students with visual impairments in Uzbekistan. The challenges include a scarcity of Braille literature, discrepancies in word writing and pronunciation between Uzbek and English, confusion stemming from similarities and differences in the Braille-based English alphabet and the Latin-script Uzbek alphabet, as well as a lack of educational materials and the production of essential and supplementary educational literature. The complexities associated with these issues are examined, with particular focus on psychological obstacles faced by students in the same demographic when learning English. Additionally, practical recommendations for enhancing this field will be formulated based on empirical research findings. Special attention is also given to the needs of consumers requiring educational materials for this demographic, adherence to academic standards, and the promotion of a conducive learning environment for students with visual impairments studying English.In addition, the issue of ensuring communication between schoolchildren with visual disabilities and their teachers, as well as assistants aiding in lesson preparation for the same group of students, in creating child-specific dictionaries and educational literature, is being addressed. There is also a need to coordinate the efforts of both state and non-state organizations on international and local levels to support the development of dictionaries and educational materials for teaching English to visually impaired students in Uzbekistan, along with establishing a system for delivering them and the necessary educational equipment

Driving Digitalization: Action Research to Innovate Pronunciation Pedagogies by Building a Virtual Voice Laboratory

This paper explores the potential of digitalization in supporting English as a Second Language (ESL) students' development of pronunciation skills through a parallel action research. The author created a Virtual Voice Laboratory (VVL) platform to innovate pronunciation pedagogies in higher education; and simultaneously conducted an ongoing action research study to examine three research questions. The questions examined the efficacy of the VVL in facilitating blended learning, self-directed practice, and self-evaluation within a pronunciation course, and its impact on student engagement, participation, and pronunciation skill development. This VVL as a tailormade digital platform was implemented with undergraduate ESL students in Hong Kong's higher education context. It enabled blended learning, wherein students engaged with the mechanics and articulatory movements essential for improving English pronunciation through self-directed practice using the VVL. Adopting an action research methodology, the study investigated the process of implementing digitalization and blended learning strategies. This was achieved through the analysis of student recordings, sound chart comparisons, and qualitative-quantitative feedback collected during a pilot study. The findings reveal nuances of student experiences, their learning trajectories, and the results from the pilot study, illuminating the impacts and outcomes facilitated by the e-learning approach. The research holds valuable implications for integrating digitalization and blended learning in language education, contributing to the ongoing scholarly dialogue on the transformative potential of technology-mediated approaches in fostering dynamic and impactful learning experiences for diverse student populations.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION BY USING ENGLISH IN MIND TEXTBOOK

Pronunciation is one of the important elements of basic speaking skills. It is related to how human beings produce sounds by using their articulatory organs of speech. Pronunciation plays an important role in communication to avoid pronunciation errors that can lead to misunderstandings in communication between the speaker and the listener. This fact points out that learning pronunciation is very important for English Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. An appropriate English textbook is needed to facilitate learners’ needs as foreign language learners. Indonesia’s Government, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, has appointed English in Mind as one of the main English textbooks for the Independence Curriculum, especially at the Junior High School level. This study aims to analyze the distribution of both consonant and vowel phonemes found in English in Mind, to evaluate the content and to find out whether this book has accommodated all the materials needed by teachers for teaching English pronunciation. In this study, the researcher used a qualitative research methodology that focused on descriptive qualitative. The data is needed by using a literature study and interview. A literature study was used to gather all data required for the analysis of consonant and vowel phoneme distribution. The data are taken from an English in Mind textbook, Students’ Book 1. Meanwhile, the interview was established to get more insight from the English teachers related to the importance of teaching pronunciation, the impact of phoneme differences in Indonesia and English, factors affecting pronunciation learning, pronunciation learning strategies, and the use of English in Mind textbook in teaching English pronunciation. In this research, it was found that some consonant and vowel phonemes in English could not be found at the initial and final of the English in Mind textbook. The consonant and vowel sounds are /ŋ/, /ʒ/, /ʊ/, /u:/, /w/, /j/, /h/, /æ/, /e/, /ɜ:/, /ʌ/, and /ɒ/. Meanwhile, there are all consonant and vowel phoneme sounds found in the middle part. Based on the interview results, all informants agreed that teaching English pronunciation is important to be taught to learners in the classroom. Then, the differences between Indonesian and English phonemes can affect learners’ pronunciation skills. They always include English pronunciation material in every lesson in the classroom. In addition, there are differences from the informants regarding teaching English pronunciation through the English in Mind textbook. Furthermore, all informants shared the same opinion that they had encountered pronunciation mistakes made by learners.

Students Challenges in Learning Public Speaking

This research aims to determine students' challenges in learning public speaking. This research method is descriptive quantitative. The subjects of this research are 5 male and 15 female students from University of Muhammadiyah Semarang in Kedung Mundu. The data collection technique uses questionnaires and interviews by giving a series of written and verbal questions or statements to respondents to then answer. The results show that there is easy learning when using Manuscript and Comunication in learning English. By applying the Manuscript method in learning public speaking, it shows an increase in self-confidence. Meanwhile, conversation can improve English pronunciation skills, habits, and increase English vocabulary which previously was one of the biggest challenges for students. Their tendency was to more easily improve Public Speaking by using the Manuscript model.

Development of Digital Phonology Teaching Materials Using Shadowing Techniques for Korean BIPA Learners

This research aims to produce digital phonology teaching materials using the shadowing technique to improve the pronunciation skills of basic-level Korean BIPA learners. The research method employed Research and Development (R&D) with the ADDIE development model, which includes the stages of Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. Data collection techniques involved needs analysis by interviewing BIPA learners and instructors, then conducting pronunciation tests on Korean BIPA learners to identify pronunciation challenges and specific needs for material development. Based on this analysis, the digital teaching materials were designed and developed, then validated by media experts, material experts, and BIPA practitioners. Data analysis techniques in this research included quantitative and qualitative methods. The result showed that the development of digital phonology teaching materials with shadowing techniques for Korean BIPA learners was effective in improving Indonesian pronunciation skills. The evaluation results showed that this teaching material received a very positive response from teachers and learners, with feasibility test scores of 98% and 94% respectively, as well as expert validation that supported the quality of the teaching material. Thus, this digital teaching material not only meets the expected standards, but also offers concrete solutions to the pronunciation challenges faced by Korean BIPA learners, and is ready to be used to improve the effectiveness of Indonesian pronunciation learning.

PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING PRONUNCIATION AND CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH TEXT-BASED APPROACHES

This article is aimed at studying the effectiveness of the textual approach as a method of improving pronunciation skills and popularizing cultural identity among students studying the Kazakh language. It examines the existing literature on various approaches to teaching and learning pronunciation, emphasizing a text-based approach. The article also evaluates the effectiveness of the textual approach based on previous studies and their conclusions. In addition, the potential advantages and limitations of using textual activities to develop students' precise articulation and pronunciation skills are discussed.The authors analyzed, evaluated, and compared the methods in widely recognized scientific papers that explored the textual approach to achieve the research goal. In the subsequent period, a comprehensive study was conducted using scientific articles as a source for adaptation to the Kazakhstan audience.The article provides a comparative assessment of the textual approach and highlights its advantages in areas such as memorizing meanings, recognizing words, and teaching specific skills. The results of this article show that the textual approach has great potential to improve pronunciation skills and strengthen students' cultural identity. Using authentic texts and an interactive learning environment allows students to engage in conversation, improve reading comprehension, and develop precise articulation and pronunciation skills. In addition, additional drilling techniques and communicative actions can further enhance the effectiveness of the textual approach to teaching students.

Needs Analysis in English for Moroccan Applied Mathematics Graduate Students at Ibn Zohr University

This study examined the English academic needs of students in the Applied Mathematics in the Science of Engineering (AMSE) master program at the Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco. It aimed at determining the gap between students' language needs and their actual competencies and identifying learners’ perceptions of their linguistic needs and their linguistic difficulties. The study was conducted based on a mixed-methods design approach with multiple data collection instruments. As a research framework, the Dudley-Evans and St John's (1998) needs analysis model was used. The results showed that participants attach different values to the importance and competence of macro- and micro-language skills. Students and teachers placed a high value on grammatical knowledge. Students valued grammar, speaking, and writing highly, while subject matter teachers valued grammar, speaking, and writing highly, but listening and pronunciation skills were valued as less important. The study showed that learners' English proficiency level is average. Their average English levels then influenced their academic achievement. Based on the aforementioned results, the researchers proposed that syllabus designers should address the macro- and micro-skills regarding academic studies when developing and redesigning course syllabus and its objectives in the ESP context.

Input hypotheses for developing EFL/ESL learners’ listening comprehension skills

The objective of this study is to examine the significance of the input hypothesis in enhancing the listening comprehension abilities of EFL/ESL learners. The methodology employed in this study is a critical literature review. This entailed a comprehensive search for relevant articles and other sources, a meticulous reading of the material, the categorization of data, a thorough analysis, and the synthesis of findings. The findings of this study indicate that the input hypothesis plays an essential role in developing ESL/EFL learners' listening comprehension abilities through the acquisition of comprehensible inputs. The activation of linguistic background knowledge enables EFL/ESL learners to develop pronunciation skills, understanding of grammatical accuracy, lexical resources, and meaning. Optimizing the inputs of the listening strategy (cognitive, metacognitive, socio-affective) assists EFL/ESL learners in activating their memory about listening materials. This is achieved through making inferences, elaborations, summaries, translations, observations, assessments, and becoming involved in the community. Inputs from media, audio (visual), and practices can develop EFL/ESL learners' cognition, motivation, stimulating perception, activating prior knowledge. In conclusion, the components of the comprehensible inputs must be integrated and developed in a coordinated manner during the teaching and learning process of listening skills.