ERIC Number: EJ1168858
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Feb
Pages: 28
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1094-3501
EISSN: N/A
A System for Adaptive High-Variability Segmental Perceptual Training: Implementation, Effectiveness, Transfer
Qian, Manman; Chukharev-Hudilainen, Evgeny; Levis, John
Language Learning & Technology, v22 n1 p69-96 Feb 2018
Many types of L2 phonological perception are often difficult to acquire without instruction. These difficulties with perception may also be related to intelligibility in production. Instruction on perception contrasts is more likely to be successful with the use of phonetically variable input made available through computer-assisted pronunciation training. However, few computer-assisted programs have demonstrated flexibility in diagnosing and treating individual learner problems or have made effective use of linguistic resources such as corpora for creating training materials. This study introduces a system for segmental perceptual training that uses a computational approach to perception utilizing corpus based word frequency lists, high variability phonetic input, and text-to-speech technology to automatically create discrimination and identification perception exercises customized for individual learners. The effectiveness of the system is evaluated in an experiment with pre- and post-test design, involving 32 adult Russian-speaking learners of English as a foreign language. The participants' perceptual gains were found to transfer to novel voices, but not to untrained words. Potential factors underlying the absence of word-level transfer are discussed. The results of the training model provide an example for replication in language teaching and research settings.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Phonology, Auditory Perception, Second Language Instruction, Computational Linguistics, Linguistic Input, Pretests Posttests, Pronunciation Instruction, Word Frequency, Word Lists, Auditory Discrimination, Russian, Native Language, English (Second Language), Teaching Methods, Computer Assisted Instruction, Instructional Effectiveness, Transfer of Training, Scores, Statistical Analysis
University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center. 1859 East-West Road #106, Honolulu, HI 96822. Tel: 808-956-9424; Fax: 808-956-5983; e-mail: llt@hawaii.edu; Web site: http://llt.msu.edu
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A