In English learning, undesirable pronunciation of vowels and intonation that plagues Chinese students in many ways is caused by the interference of mother tongue, accents and system of examination. In order to correct...In English learning, undesirable pronunciation of vowels and intonation that plagues Chinese students in many ways is caused by the interference of mother tongue, accents and system of examination. In order to correct the errors, teachers, students and the system need to adjust themselves accordingly.展开更多
The study attempts to explore native and non-native English speakers’attitudes towards accents and pronunciation-related issues.The sample group surveyed is composed of non-native English speakers,specifically,Italia...The study attempts to explore native and non-native English speakers’attitudes towards accents and pronunciation-related issues.The sample group surveyed is composed of non-native English speakers,specifically,Italian students studying at the University of Calabria(Italy)and native English speakers from Alberta University(Canada)and Florida Atlantic University(USA).An online link to a questionnaire was sent via email to all participants and was used as a research instrument to collect quantitative data.The research questions will investigate learners’attitudes in relation to the following aspects:accent and identity,beliefs about native/non-native accents,impact of pronunciation on communication,and learners’expectations towards pronunciation teaching.Firstly,mean scores in relation to the aforementioned aspects will be examined.Secondly,differences between native/non-native speakers’responses will be statistically analysed.Thirdly,non-native learners’responses will be correlated with their proficiency level in English to identify the extent to which language competence may affect learners’attitudes.The study aims to gain useful insights that may hopefully raise students and teachers’awareness of what models we expect learners to imitate and attain in the English language classroom,how appropriate and relevant these may be especially in the globalized English world where non-native speakers will increasingly use English in a diversity of forms to achieve their communicative goals.The preliminary results will be presented and pedagogical considerations suggested.展开更多
The globalization and nativization processes of English resulted in the appearance of a large number of regional varieties of English. Concerning their accent between the single norm theory and the multiple norm diffe...The globalization and nativization processes of English resulted in the appearance of a large number of regional varieties of English. Concerning their accent between the single norm theory and the multiple norm differences, there has always been a debate theory. This paper argues against the ＇standard-nonstandard＇ classification of English accents upheld by the former, and revises the concept of ＇the three concentric circles of English＇ proposed by the latter, providing some helpful tips on the current instruction of listening and speaking in China＇s colleges and universities.展开更多
American English is predominantly prescribed as the primary English learning model at every educational level in Taiwan and limited attention is paid to other accents of English. It is therefore the intention of this ...American English is predominantly prescribed as the primary English learning model at every educational level in Taiwan and limited attention is paid to other accents of English. It is therefore the intention of this paper to investigate whether Taiwan Residents EFL learners have difficulties understanding British English after years of instruction in American English, and to identify differences between learners＇ attitudes towards these two varieties of English. EFL learners from two universities were randomly assigned to American and British English groups and required to listen to short texts recorded with either American or British accent. An independent simple t-test showed that no significant differences were found in listening comprehension scores, but responses on questionnaires revealed significant differences in attitudes towards American and British English. The influence of long-term instruction in American English was evidenced. Based on these findings, suggestions are provided for English language teaching in Taiwan and implications are drawn for the concept of English as an International Language （ELL）, that in order to pursue successful international communication with people of various native languages, EFL learners need to experience various accents of English.展开更多
Immensely intensive cross-border trade in China has brought English to an unprecedentedly crucial status for communication.As a result,great variety of English accents mushroomed,which often baffles English learners.T...Immensely intensive cross-border trade in China has brought English to an unprecedentedly crucial status for communication.As a result,great variety of English accents mushroomed,which often baffles English learners.The thesis analyzes the English accents issue,World Englishes,in China under the guidance of communicative approach from three perspectives to show the definite necessity of involving accents in English listening teaching for the sake of achieving communicative efficiency and increasing multicultural awareness.Besides,some possibles methods have been brought up for the practical teaching process.展开更多
文摘In English learning, undesirable pronunciation of vowels and intonation that plagues Chinese students in many ways is caused by the interference of mother tongue, accents and system of examination. In order to correct the errors, teachers, students and the system need to adjust themselves accordingly.
文摘The study attempts to explore native and non-native English speakers’attitudes towards accents and pronunciation-related issues.The sample group surveyed is composed of non-native English speakers,specifically,Italian students studying at the University of Calabria(Italy)and native English speakers from Alberta University(Canada)and Florida Atlantic University(USA).An online link to a questionnaire was sent via email to all participants and was used as a research instrument to collect quantitative data.The research questions will investigate learners’attitudes in relation to the following aspects:accent and identity,beliefs about native/non-native accents,impact of pronunciation on communication,and learners’expectations towards pronunciation teaching.Firstly,mean scores in relation to the aforementioned aspects will be examined.Secondly,differences between native/non-native speakers’responses will be statistically analysed.Thirdly,non-native learners’responses will be correlated with their proficiency level in English to identify the extent to which language competence may affect learners’attitudes.The study aims to gain useful insights that may hopefully raise students and teachers’awareness of what models we expect learners to imitate and attain in the English language classroom,how appropriate and relevant these may be especially in the globalized English world where non-native speakers will increasingly use English in a diversity of forms to achieve their communicative goals.The preliminary results will be presented and pedagogical considerations suggested.
文摘The globalization and nativization processes of English resulted in the appearance of a large number of regional varieties of English. Concerning their accent between the single norm theory and the multiple norm differences, there has always been a debate theory. This paper argues against the ＇standard-nonstandard＇ classification of English accents upheld by the former, and revises the concept of ＇the three concentric circles of English＇ proposed by the latter, providing some helpful tips on the current instruction of listening and speaking in China＇s colleges and universities.
文摘American English is predominantly prescribed as the primary English learning model at every educational level in Taiwan and limited attention is paid to other accents of English. It is therefore the intention of this paper to investigate whether Taiwan Residents EFL learners have difficulties understanding British English after years of instruction in American English, and to identify differences between learners＇ attitudes towards these two varieties of English. EFL learners from two universities were randomly assigned to American and British English groups and required to listen to short texts recorded with either American or British accent. An independent simple t-test showed that no significant differences were found in listening comprehension scores, but responses on questionnaires revealed significant differences in attitudes towards American and British English. The influence of long-term instruction in American English was evidenced. Based on these findings, suggestions are provided for English language teaching in Taiwan and implications are drawn for the concept of English as an International Language （ELL）, that in order to pursue successful international communication with people of various native languages, EFL learners need to experience various accents of English.
文摘Immensely intensive cross-border trade in China has brought English to an unprecedentedly crucial status for communication.As a result,great variety of English accents mushroomed,which often baffles English learners.The thesis analyzes the English accents issue,World Englishes,in China under the guidance of communicative approach from three perspectives to show the definite necessity of involving accents in English listening teaching for the sake of achieving communicative efficiency and increasing multicultural awareness.Besides,some possibles methods have been brought up for the practical teaching process.
