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An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Online Text-to-Speech Tools in Improving EFL Teacher Trainees' Pronunciation

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Title: An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Online Text-to-Speech Tools in Improving EFL Teacher Trainees' Pronunciation
Language: English
Authors: Eksi, Gonca Yangin, Yesilçinar, Sabahattin
Source: English Language Teaching. 2016 9(2):205-214.
Availability: Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309, Toronto, OH M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: elt@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2016
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Assistive Technology, Educational Technology, Computer Mediated Communication, English (Second Language), English Teachers, Trainees, Pronunciation, Pronunciation Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Electronic Learning, Oral Language, Achievement Tests, College Students, State Universities, Pretests Posttests, Questionnaires, Opinions, Scoring Rubrics, Dialects, Web Sites, Independent Study, Teacher Education, Oral Communication Method, Quasiexperimental Design, Likert Scales, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis
Geographic Terms: Turkey
ISSN: 1916-4742
Abstract: Given the limited time for instruction in the classroom, pronunciation often ends up as the most neglected aspect of language teaching. However, in cases when the learner's pronunciation is expected to be good or native-like, as is expected of language teacher trainees, out-of-class self-study options become prominent. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of online text-to-speech tools used by EFL teacher trainees when preparing for an oral achievement test. The study was conducted with 43 junior year teacher trainees at a large state university in Turkey. A pre- and post-test experimental design was used. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire to explore the trainees' opinions related to pronunciation and their practices to improve this, a post reflection questionnaire for the effectiveness of the procedure, and a speaking rubric to evaluate the oral presentations of the trainees. The results indicate that the trainees perceived a native-like accent as a measure of being a good language teacher. It was also revealed that text-to-speech websites are effective self-study tools in improving trainees' pronunciation.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 35
Entry Date: 2016
Accession Number: EJ1095577
Database: ERIC
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  Data: An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Online Text-to-Speech Tools in Improving EFL Teacher Trainees' Pronunciation
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  Data: Canadian Center of Science and Education. 1120 Finch Avenue West Suite 701-309, Toronto, OH M3J 3H7, Canada. Tel: 416-642-2606; Fax: 416-642-2608; e-mail: elt@ccsenet.org; Web site: http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/elt
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  Data: Given the limited time for instruction in the classroom, pronunciation often ends up as the most neglected aspect of language teaching. However, in cases when the learner's pronunciation is expected to be good or native-like, as is expected of language teacher trainees, out-of-class self-study options become prominent. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of online text-to-speech tools used by EFL teacher trainees when preparing for an oral achievement test. The study was conducted with 43 junior year teacher trainees at a large state university in Turkey. A pre- and post-test experimental design was used. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire to explore the trainees' opinions related to pronunciation and their practices to improve this, a post reflection questionnaire for the effectiveness of the procedure, and a speaking rubric to evaluate the oral presentations of the trainees. The results indicate that the trainees perceived a native-like accent as a measure of being a good language teacher. It was also revealed that text-to-speech websites are effective self-study tools in improving trainees' pronunciation.
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 205
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Assistive Technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Technology
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      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
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      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
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      – SubjectFull: English Teachers
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      – SubjectFull: Trainees
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      – SubjectFull: Pronunciation
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      – SubjectFull: Pronunciation Instruction
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      – SubjectFull: Instructional Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Oral Language
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      – SubjectFull: Teacher Education
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      – SubjectFull: Oral Communication Method
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      – SubjectFull: Quasiexperimental Design
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      – TitleFull: An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Online Text-to-Speech Tools in Improving EFL Teacher Trainees' Pronunciation
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