The Effects of L2 Pronunciation Instruction on EFL Learners' Intelligibility and Fluency in Spontaneous Speech

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Effects of L2 Pronunciation Instruction on EFL Learners' Intelligibility and Fluency in Spontaneous Speech
Language: English
Authors: Chau, Tuc, Huensch, Amanda, Hoang, Yen K., Chau, Hiep T.
Source: TESL-EJ. Feb 2022 25(4).
Availability: TESL-EJ. e-mail: editor@tesl-ej.org; Web site: http://tesl-ej.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 28
Publication Date: 2022
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Descriptors: Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, English (Second Language), Pronunciation Instruction, Mutual Intelligibility, Language Fluency, Adult Students, Suprasegmentals, Instructional Effectiveness, Oral Language
ISSN: 1072-4303
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of L2 pronunciation instruction on speech intelligibility and fluency, the relationship between intelligibility and fluency, and the extent to which utterance fluency can predict perceived fluency. Participants were 30 beginning adult EFL learners who received either segmental or suprasegmental instruction. Oral data included monologues recorded at the beginning and end of an 8-week course. Speech segments were transcribed for intelligibility and rated on a 1000-point scale for fluency by 11 native speakers. They were also coded and analyzed for transcription errors and utterance fluency measures. Quantitative analyses did not reveal significant changes in intelligibility or perceived fluency as the result of instruction. However, the suprasegmental group seemed to show an upward trend in speech rate, which was found to strongly predict perceived fluency. The findings further our understanding.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1334064
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study investigated the effects of L2 pronunciation instruction on speech intelligibility and fluency, the relationship between intelligibility and fluency, and the extent to which utterance fluency can predict perceived fluency. Participants were 30 beginning adult EFL learners who received either segmental or suprasegmental instruction. Oral data included monologues recorded at the beginning and end of an 8-week course. Speech segments were transcribed for intelligibility and rated on a 1000-point scale for fluency by 11 native speakers. They were also coded and analyzed for transcription errors and utterance fluency measures. Quantitative analyses did not reveal significant changes in intelligibility or perceived fluency as the result of instruction. However, the suprasegmental group seemed to show an upward trend in speech rate, which was found to strongly predict perceived fluency. The findings further our understanding.
ISSN:1072-4303