The Effect of listening to audio- stories on acquiring accurate pronunciation ( dark F and clear I) by ELF learners
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Date
2017
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Publisher
university of Oum- El- Bouaghi
Abstract
The present research aims at investigating the usefulness of using audio stories in EFL
classrooms in order to improve learners' pronunciation. It is based on the assumption that listening to audio stories have a positive effect on improving EFL learners' pronunciation with a particular focus on the dark [?] and clear [l]. In order to attain the aim of this research, a quasi-experimental study was implemented. The experiment took six sessions including a pre-test, period of treatment, and a post-test. At the start, two intact classes of second year.
EFL students at L'Arbi Ben M'hidi English department were selected, and they were divided into an experimental group and a control group; each contained 20 students. First of all, a pronunciation test was administered to both groups as a pre-test. Later, the experimental
group received a period of treatment of four sessions, in which they were exposed to the
target language through listening to different audio-stories, whilst the control group did not
receive the same treatment. Afterward, a post-test was administered to both groups in order
to investigate the learners' improvement in pronouncing correctly the dark [?] and clear [l].
After that, the learners' performance on the pre-test and the post-test, which was recorded using the Praat, was assessed by the researcher. In order to show the development that learners have shown in both tests, a t-test was utilized for determining and comparing both group means. Depending on the results gathered, it is proved that being exposed to the target language as it is produced by the native speakers through listening to audio-stories aids to improve the learners' pronunciation in particular, and their speaking proficiency in general.
Therefore, teachers are recommended to use Audio-stories in EFL classrooms in order to
enhance learners' pronunciation of the target language.
Description
Keywords
Listening skill, Prononciation : audio-visuel, Rim duration