Training Spanish Speakers to Perceive and Pronounce English Vowels

Author: | García Pérez, Grisel Maria |
Year: | 2012 |
Pages: | 164 |
ISBN: | 0-7734-2584-5 978-0-7734-2584-2 |
Price: | $159.95 |
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This study investigated the effects of training native speakers of Spanish in the perception and production of English vowels in a regular classroom setting, not a laboratory. Thirty-two adult native Spanish speakers were trained to identify and produce English pairs of vowels /i/-/?/, /u/-/?/, and /?/-/?/ over a three-week training period. The experimental design included a pretest-posttest procedure in order to
compare the subject’s performance before and after training. A significant improvement in the subjects’ performance as an effect of training was revealed on perception, but no significant improvement as an effect of training was seen on
production. This is a very original work which makes an important contribution to the understanding of second language pronunciation. Also, it serves as a guide to instructors on how effective pronunciation can be taught.
Reviews
“provides an overview of these crucial aspects of the learning of a foreign language, and the results of her original research in which she admirably and rigorously reports the results of experiments” – Prof. Juan Manuel Sosa, Simon Fraser University
“… a rigorous theoretical and practical contribution that will help all the ESL instructors and professors who find themselves at the crossroads of defining what and how to teach in the classroom to Spanish speakers and what to advise in the long range to them.” – Prof. Bernard Schulz-Cruz, University of British Columbia- Okanagan
Table of Contents
Foreword by Juan Manuel Sosa
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter I: Current Trends and Research in Teaching Pronunciation
Chapter II: Experimental Study on Perception and Production
Chapter III: Results and Analysis on Perception
Chapter IV: Results and Analysis on Production
Chapter V: Conclusions
Appendices
Bibliography
Index
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