Understanding Pronunciation Learning Strategy Use: a Vignette Analysis
As is clear in the related literature, pronunciation is a neglected area in English language education throughout the world, and thus the area needs to be investigated so that informed decisions regarding pronunciation teaching could be taken. Hence, the present qualitative case study was designed to find out the strategies employed by the preparatory English majors chosen via convenience sampling (n=56, 44 female and 12 male) in a middle-sized university in the north east part of Turkey. Inspired by Oxford’s Strategy Game, eleven problem-oriented vignettes applicable for EFL context were devised and piloted. The fabricated vignettes include ten different areas: natural pronunciation, difficult and long words, self-confidence, misunderstanding, sounds not existing in Turkish, tone, sounds existing in native and target language, IPA knowledge, and intonation. The vignettes were quantified and interpreted on the basis of Rokoszewska’s (2012) strategy taxonomy. The findings show that while cognitive metacognitive and memory strategies were frequently employed by the participants, social, compensation and affective ones were underused. The analysis also revealed that the participants used a wide variety of tactics in particularly cognitive strategies domain, including listening to tapes, music and watching TV/movie, pronouncing a difficult word over and over, memorising and practising target language sounds over and over, memorising and practising target language phrases, noticing mouth position or watching lips, practising listening, to list but a few. However, as language learning requires the development of not only cognitive and metacognitive but also emotional and interpersonal processes, it can be concluded that these underused strategies need to be promoted with strategy training and students’ awareness need to be increased. Thus, the portrayal of pronunciation strategy use is expected to help material developers to integrate pronunciation learning strategies into newly devised instructional materials. The results are also expected to help teachers to take informed decisions about the instructional steps they take in their classrooms and plan strategy training
Keywords:
pronunciation learning strategies, ELT, Cognitive,
___
- Akyol, T.(2012). A study on identifying pronunciation learning strategies of Turkish EFL learners. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 70, 1456-1462.
- Berkil, G. (2008). A closer look at pronunciation learning strategies, L2 pronunciation proficiency and speaking variables influencing pronunciation ability. Unpublished MA Thesis, Bilkent University.
- Bryman, A. (2004). Social research methods. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Celce-Murcia, M., Brinton, D. M., & Goodwin, J. M. (2010). Teaching pronunciation: A course book and reference guide. (2nd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Chang, C-H. (2012). Instruction on pronunciation learning strategies: Research findings and current pedagogical approaches. Unpublished MA Thesis, The Faculty of Graduate School, The University of Texas at Austen.
- Fang, T., & Lin, C-C. (2012). Taiwan EFL learners’ pronunciation strategies in two learning contexts. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 3(5), 888-897.
- Hismanoglu, M. (2012). An investigation of pronunciation learning strategies of advanced EFL learners. Hacettepe University Journal of Education, 43, 246-257.
- Norton, B., & Toohey, K. (2001). Changing perspectives on good language learners. TESOL Quarterly, 35 (2), 307-322.
- Oxford, R. L. (1990). Language learning strategies: What every teacher should know. Boston: Heinle & Heinle Publishers.
- Peterson, S. S. (2000). Pronunciation learning strategies: A first look. Unpublished research report. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service ED 450 599; FL 026 618).
- Richards, J. C., & Schmidt, R. (2002). Longman dictionary of language teaching and applied linguistics. London: Pearson Education Limited.
- Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., & Elam, G. (2003). Designing and selecting samples. In J. Ritchie and J. Lewis (eds), Qualitative research practice: A guide for social students and researchers (pp. 77-108). London: Sage Publications.
- Rokoszewska, R. (2012). The influence of pronunciation learning strategies on mastering English vowels. Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching, 2(3), 391-413.
- Rose, H. (2012). Language learning strategy research: Where do we go from here? Studies in Self-access Learning Journal, 3(2), 137-148.
- Szyska, M. (2015). Good English pronunciation users and their pronunciation learning strategies. Research in Language, 13 (1), 93-106.
- ISSN: 2148-6123
- Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 6 Sayı
- Başlangıç: 2014
- Yayıncı: Özgen KORKMAZ