Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

Phan Gia Thinh, Tran Quoc Thao

Abstract


Abstract: Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. 

Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020


Keywords


English Language Learning; English-majored Students; Perception; Role of Pronunciation; Pronunciation Practicing Strategies

References


Almaqrn, Riam, and Alshabeb Abdulrahman. 2017. “EFL Learners’ Attitudes Towards The Proper Pronunciation Of English And Podcasts As A Facilitator Of Proper Pronunciation.” Arab World English Journal 8(1):208-219.

Ariyani, Dyna, Marbun Rismaya, and Riyanti Dwi. 2014. “Improving Students Pronunciation by Using Reading Aloud in Junior High School.” English Education Study Program, and Language and Arts Education. Tanjungpura University in Pontianak.

Cohen, Louis, Lawrence Manion, and Keith Morrison. 2000. Research Methods in Education. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

Derwing, Tracey M., and Marian J. Rossiter. 2002. “ESL Learners' Perceptions of Their Pronunciation Needs and Strategies.” System 30(2):155-166.

Eckstein, Grant T. 2007. “A Correlation of Pronunciation Learning Strategies with Spontaneous English Pronunciation of Adult ESL Learners.” Master dissertation, Department of Linguistics and English Language, Brigham Young University.

Ellis, Rod. 2008. The Study Of Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Gilakjani, Abbas P. 2011. “A Study on the Situation of Pronunciation Instruction in ESL/EFL Classrooms.” Journal of Studies in Education 1(1):1-15.

Haslam, Noami. O. 2010. “The Relationship of Tree L2 Learning Factors with Pronunciation Proficiency: Language Aptitude, Strategy Use, and Learning Context.” (Master dissertation). Retrieved from Brigham Young University: http://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2111.

Hoang Thi Hai Ly. 2010. “Difficulties in teaching and learning pronunciation in language focus periods - English 12 and some solutions”. (Master dissertation). Retrieved from Vietnam National University, Hanoi: http://repository.vnu.edu.vn/handle/VNU_123/40844

Horwitz, Elaine K. 1988. The Beliefs about Language Learning of Beginning University Foreign Language Students. The Modern Language Journal 72(3): 283–94.

Hewings, Martin. 2004. “Pronunciation practice activities: A resource book for teaching English pronunciation.” Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press.

Krashen, Stephen D. 1982. Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon.

Mai Thi Huyen. 2012. “Strategies to enhance the understanding of English intonation for the development of communicative language ability among second language learners” (Master dissertation). Retrieved from Vietnam National University, Hanoi: (http://repository.vnu.edu.vn/handle/VNU_123/39961)

Martin, Isabel. C. 2015. “Students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the role of pronunciation in the EFL classroom.” Master dissertation. Canterbury Christ Church University.

Marzá, Nuria E. 2014. “Pronunciation and Comprehension of Oral English in the English as a Foreign Language Class: Key Aspects, Students’ Perceptions and Proposals.” Journal of Language Teaching and Research 5(2): 262-273.

Osburne, Andrea G. 2003. “Pronunciation strategies of advanced ESOL learners.” International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching 41(2): 131-143.

Oxford, Rebecca L. 1990. Language Learning Strategies: What Every Teacher Should Know. Newbury House, New York.

Pawlak, Miroslaw. 2010. “Designing and piloting a tool for the measurement of the use of pronunciation learning strategies.” Research in Language 8: 189–202.

Peterson, Susan S. 2000. “Pronunciation learning strategies: A first look.” Retrieved October 2, 2018 (http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED450599.pdf).

Simon, Ellen, & Taverniers Miriam. 2011. “Advanced EFL Learners’ Beliefs about Language Learning and Teaching: A Comparison between Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary.” English Studies 92(8): 896-922.

Szyszka, Magdalena. 2017. Pronunciation Learning Strategies and Language Anxiety. Switzerland: Springer.

Tominaga, Yuko. 2009. “An analysis of successful pronunciation learners: in search of effective factors on pronunciation teaching.” Journal of Pan-Pacific Association of Applied Linguistics 13(1): 127-140.

Tran, Quoc Thao, and Tran Nguyen Gi-Thao. 2018. “The use of English vocabulary learning strategies among Vietnamese high school students.” Proceedings of The Third International TESOL Conference Promoting ELT: Diverse Perspectives and New Horizons At: Ho Chi Minh City University of Education (pp.233-246): Ho Chi Minh City: HCMC University of Education publishing house.

Yates, Lynda. 2002. “Fact Sheet – What is Pronunciation?” Adult Migrant English Program Research Centre, La Trobe University. Retrieved October 27, 2018 (http://www.nceltr.mq.edu.au/pdamep).

Zhang, Qian M. 2009. “Affecting factors of native-like pronunciation: A literature review.” Retrieved September 7, 2018, (http://cau.ac.kr/~edusol/see/list/Vol27-2/CAKE027-002-4.pdf).




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/vjossh.v6i2.549

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


=====================================================

TẠP CHÍ KHOA HỌC XÃ HỘI VÀ NHÂN VĂN

Trường Đại học Khoa học Xã hội và Nhân văn

Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội

ISSN 2354-1172