Work

Web-based pronunciation training and learning consonant clusters among EFL learners

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Arab learners of English often face challenges when it comes to correctly pronouncing English consonant clusters. To address these difficulties, technology-driven methods can be employed to enhance the acquisition of proper English consonant cluster pronunciation. This research endeavor aimed to assess the impact of web-based pronunciation training on the articulation of consonant clusters. The research followed an experimental design, involving fifty-eight Saudi learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) who were enrolled at a public university in Saudi Arabia. These participants were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received a list of words containing consonant clusters to practice using YouGlish as a resource. Meanwhile, the control group was instructed to listen to the instructor's pronunciation and then practice producing the words with consonant clusters. The outcomes demonstrated a significant improvement in the production of words with consonant clusters among the experimental group, attributed to the utilization of web-based pronunciation training. These findings hold promise for the field of language learning, highlighting the effectiveness of web-based pronunciation training as a valuable tool for teaching second language pronunciation.

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104459

Authors: Yasser Alsuhaibani, Hassan Saleh Mahdi, Ahmed Al Khateeb, Hind Abdulaziz Al Fadda, Hisham Alkadi

Institutions: King Saud University, Arab Open University, King Faisal University

Language: English

Topic: Phonetics and Phonology Research

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,030