Improving students' pronunciation through accent reduction software

2005-03-01
Seferoğlu, Gölge
This study aimed to find out whether integrating accent reduction software in advanced English language classes at the university level would result in improvements in students' pronunciation at the segmental and sup-rasegmental levels. The study made use of a quasi-experimental research design. Two classes at the Department of Foreign Language Education at Middle East Technical University in Turkey participated in the study. Whilst one class (the control group) followed traditional instruction, the other class (experimental group) followed instruction which integrated use of accent reduction software in a multimedia language laboratory. Based on the results of the study, it is suggested that especially in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings where natural target language input is scarce, technology has a lot to offer, and EFL learners may be provided with exposure and practice/interaction opportunities in the target language through specifically designed software programs.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Suggestions

Preparing Pre-service English Language Teachers for Classroom Realities: Strengthening Their Competence in Instructional Materials
Tekir, Serpil; Akar, Hanife (Ani Publishing and Consulting Company, 2020-01-01)
Purpose: English as Foreign Language (EFL) teachers tend to demonstrate low literacy levels in instructional materials and feel unprepared to use materials effectively. To better prepare pre-service EFL teachers for real classrooms that they will teach Upon graduation, current K-12 teachers can provide significant insights into the needed competences of prospective teachers. With this purpose, the study aimed to investigate the competences in utilizing instructional materials needed by EFL teachers to becom...
University preparatory school students' and teachers' perceptions of computer-assisted language learning environment
Küçük, Tuğba; Engin Demir, Cennet; Department of Educational Sciences (2009)
This study aimed at investigating university preparatory school students’ and teachers’ perceptions of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) environment. The sample consisted of 308 students and 50 teachers from Zonguldak Karaelmas University Preparatory School. Data was gathered from the participants via two Effective CALL Questionnaires (ECALLQ) developed by the researcher. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Principal component analysis was used to find the dim...
Learning style preferences of preparatory scgool students at Gazi University
Güneş, Cevriye; Ok, Ahmet; Department of Educational Sciences (2004)
The purpose of this study was to determine the learning styles of preparatory school students from Gazi University and examine the relationship between students̕ learning style preferences (LSP) and faculty students will study in, gender, proficiency level of English and achievement scores on listening, reading, grammar, and writing in the English Course. The instrument, Index of Learning Styles (ILS), was administered to 367 randomly selected students. As for the data analysis, descriptive statistics portr...
Evaluation of a computerized language learning architecture at university level: a case study
Yazıcı, Ceylan; Çağıltay, Kürşat; Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technology (2009)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the perceived benefits of an English language learning architecture of a preparatory language school of a private university from the current students’, previous students’, teachers’ and administrators’ point of view. The study investigated the reactions towards the two parts of the learning architecture designed to teach English through a blended learning system, focusing on the system’s benefits for the students’ language skills as well as transferable skills such as ...
Using feature films in language classes
Seferoğlu, Gölge (Informa UK Limited, 2008-02-01)
This study aimed at finding students' perspectives on integrating feature films on digital versatile discs (DVDs) in oral communication classes of advanced English as foreign language (EFL) learners. A total of 29 students being trained as teachers of English participated in the study. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire. All participants unanimously agreed that through films they had the opportunity to learn about how people initiate and sustain a conversational exchange, and how they negoti...
Citation Formats
G. Seferoğlu, “Improving students’ pronunciation through accent reduction software,” BRITISH JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, pp. 303–316, 2005, Accessed: 00, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://hdl.handle.net/11511/56916.