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Evidence in favor of a strategy-based model for English pronunciation instruction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2021

Veronica G. Sardegna Open the ORCID record for Veronica G. Sardegna [Opens in a new window]
Veronica G. Sardegna*
Affiliation:
Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, USA
*
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Research has increasingly demonstrated that pronunciation difficulties in English can seriously affect learners’ intelligibility and ability to comprehend spoken English. It is thus crucial that we find ways of helping learners of English become more intelligible. In this talk, I present compelling research evidence in support of a strategy-based pronunciation instruction model, and uncover individual learner, teacher, and instructional variables affecting long-term improvement. Findings from my published and ongoing studies involving different groups of learners and teachers highlight the critical role of teachers in self-regulated learning, and suggest the need for methodological refinements to the model. The results show that students’ self-regulated efforts at learning can be further enhanced and supported if combined with goal-setting and awareness-raising activities, online speech models and resources, video-recordings to assess progress, guided reflections on oral assignments, ongoing feedback, and re-assessments of goals after improvement. I conclude the talk with a discussion of these methodological refinements and possible avenues for future research.

Type
Plenary Speech
Information
Language Teaching , Volume 55 , Issue 3 , July 2022 , pp. 363 - 378
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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