scholarly journals Effects of prosody awareness training on the intelligibility of Iranian interpreter trainees in English

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood Yenkimaleki ◽  
Vincent J. van Heuven
Keyword(s):  
English Translation ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Prosodic Feature ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Speaking Skills

Abstract The present study investigates the effect of prosodic feature awareness training on the intelligibility of speech produced by Iranian interpreter trainees. Two groups of student interpreters were formed. All were native speakers of Farsi who studied English translation and interpreting at the BA level. Participants took a pretest of speaking skills before starting the program so that their speech intelligibility level was rated. The control group listened to authentic audio tracks in English and discussed their contents, watched authentic English movies, discussed issues in the movies in pairs in the classroom. The experimental group spent part of the time on theoretical explanation of, and practical exercises with, English prosody. Students then took a posttest in speaking skills so that the effect of treatment on the intelligibility of their speech could be assessed. The results show that the prosody awareness training significantly improved the students’ speech intelligibility.

scholarly journals The effect of prosody teaching on developing word recognition skills for interpreter trainees: An experimental study

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1101-1107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmood Yenkimaleki ◽  
Vincent J. van Heuven
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
State University ◽  
Prosodic Features ◽  
Instruction Time ◽  
Experimental Group

The present study investigates the effect of the explicit teaching of prosodic features on developing word recognition skills with interpreter trainees. Two groups of student interpreters were composed. All were native speakers of Farsi who studied English translation and interpreting at the BA level at the State University of Arak, Iran. Participants were categorized into two groups at random, but with equal division between genders (9 female and 9 male students in each group). No significant differences in English language skills (TOEFL scores) could be established between the groups. Participants took a pretest of word recognition skill before starting the program. The control group received exercises in listening comprehension, while the experimental group spent part of the time on theoretical explanation and practical exercises developing conscious knowledge of prosodic features of English, such as word stress. The total instruction time was the same for both groups, i.e. 8 hours. Students then took a posttest of word recognition skills. The results show that prosodic feature awareness training did yield a statistically significant improvement of word recognition skills. The result has pedagogical implications for researchers in the field of second language teaching, instructors, curriculum designers, conductors of interpreting programs for training future interpreters, material producers and all who are involved in language study and pedagogy.

Explicit teaching of segmentals versus suprasegmentals in developing speaking skills by interpreter trainees

FORUM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-268
Author(s):  
Mahmood Yenkimaleki
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Instruction Time ◽  
University Of Applied Sciences ◽  
Explicit Teaching ◽  
The University ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Speaking Skills

Abstract The present study investigates the effect of explicit teaching of segmentals and suprasegmentals in developing speaking skills for Farsi-English interpreter trainees. Three groups of student interpreters were formed. All were native speakers of Farsi who studied English translation and interpreting at the BA level at the University of Applied Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Participants were assigned to groups at random, but with equal division between genders (7 female and 7 male students in each group). No significant differences in English language skills (TOEFL scores) could be established between the groups prior to the experiment. Participants took a pretest of speaking skills before starting the program. The control group listened to authentic audio tracks in English and discussed their contents, watched authentic English movies, and discussed issues in the movies in pairs in the classroom. The first experimental group spent part of the time on theoretical explanation of, and practical exercises with, English suprasegmentals. The second experimental group spent part of the time on theoretical explanation of, and practical exercises with, English segmentals. The total instruction time was the same for all three groups, i.e. 12 hours. Students then took a posttest in speaking skills. The results show that the explicit teaching of suprasegmentals significantly improved the students’ speaking skills more than that of the other groups. These results have pedagogical implications for curriculum designers, interpreting programs for training future interpreters, material producers and all who are involved in language study and pedagogy.

scholarly journals THE CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHENTIC MATERIAL IN EFL CLASSROOM

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janeth Robinson ◽  
Freddy Nicholas ◽  
Tony Seimon
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Authentic Material ◽  
Instruction Time ◽  
Speaking Skill ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Speaking Skills

AbstractThe study investigates the contribution of authentic material on developing speaking skills in EFL classrooms. Three groups of students were formed. All studied English at the High School. Participants were assigned to groups at random. No significant differences in speaking skills could be established between the groups prior to the experiment. The control group listened to authentic audio tracks in English and discussed their contents, watched authentic English movies and did exercises based on these tasks for developing speaking skills. The first experimental group spent part of the time on theoretical explanation of, and practical exercises with, English prosody by an instructor. The second experimental group instead spent part of the time on English prosody instruction. The total instruction time was the same for all three groups, i.e. 20 hours. Students then took a posttest in speaking skills. The results showed that the second experimental group performed better than the other groups in developing speaking skills. These results have pedagogical implications for curriculum designers and all who are involved in EFL classrooms.Key words: English as a Foreign Language (EFL), Authentic Material, Speaking Skill

An exploratory study on pro-drop in a written description task in L2 Spanish

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
An Vande Casteele ◽  
Alejandro Palomares Ortiz
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
L2 Spanish ◽  
Spanish Language Learners ◽  
Description Task ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Written Description

Abstract The present article aims at investigating the pro-drop phenomenon in L2 Spanish. The phenomenon of pro-drop or null subject is a typological feature of some languages, which are characterized by an implicit subject in cases of topic continuity. More specifically, behaviour regarding subject (dis)continuity in Spanish differs from French. This paper will offer a contrastive analysis on subject realisation by French learners of L2 Spanish compared to L1 Spanish speakers. So, the goal of this pilot study is to see if a different functioning in pro-drop in the mother tongue also influences the L2. The study is based upon a written description task presented to the two groups of participants: the experimental group of French mother tongue L2 Spanish language learners and the control group of Spanish native speakers.

Effect of Dramatization on Speaking Skills ond Academic Achievement In English Among Primary Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 163-182
Author(s):  
Amit Kauts ◽  
Monika
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Traditional Method ◽  
The Other ◽  
Primary Students ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gain Scores ◽  
Achievement Gain ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Speaking Skills

The present study intends to examine the effect of dramatization on speaking skills and academic achievement in English among primary students. The sample consisted of 240 fifth class students from four co-educational private schools of district Fazilka. The sample was divided into two groups randomly. One of the two groups was designated as Experimental Group and the other as Control Group. Experimental group was taught through Dramatization and the control group was taught through traditional method. The obtained data was analysed using two way Analysis of Variance. The results revealed that (i) Teaching through dramatization was found effective than traditional method with respect to achievement of students in English and gain scores in speaking skills (ii) Boys outperformed girls in case of achievement gain scores (iii) Girls outperformed boys in case of gain scores of speaking skills.

scholarly journals [The Effect of Using The Thinking out Loud Strategy to Improve Speaking Skills I Have Arabic Language Learners in Malaysia] Athar istikhdam al-tafkir bi sawt ‘al fi tahsin maharat al-tahaddath lada muta‘allimi al-Lughah al-‘Arabiyyah fi Malizyya

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-93
Author(s):  
Siti Salwa Mohd Noor
Keyword(s):  
Language Learners ◽  
Traditional Method ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thinking Aloud ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Speaking Skill ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Speaking Skills ◽  
Thinking Out Loud

This study aimed to identify the effect of using thinking aloud strategy to improve speaking skill among learners of Arabic language in Malaysia. To achieve the objectives of the study, several Arabic language learners from University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) in Malaysia have been chosen to participate in this study. The study sample consists of (30) students, they are then divided into two groups; the first experimental group consists of (15) students studied the Arabic language using the thinking aloud strategy, and the control group consists of (15) students studied using traditional method of teaching. A test has been used in this study; the test speaking skills (pre and post). Results of the study indicate significant differences at (α=0.05) due to the instruction strategy used in favour of those taught through thinking aloud strategy in the speaking test.   Keywords: Thinking Aloud Strategy, Speaking Skills, Arabic Learners.   تركز هذه الدّراسة على معرفة أثر استخدام استراتيجية التفكير بصوت عال في تحسين مهارات التحدث لدى متعلمي اللغة العربية في ماليزيا. ولتحقيق أهداف الدّراسة اختارت الباحثة متعلمي اللغة العربية في جامعة السلطان زين العابدين في ماليزيا ليكونوا ميدانًا لتجربة الدّراسة. وقد تكونت عينة الدّراسة من (30) طالبًا وطالبة، موزعين على مجموعتين؛ تكونت المجموعة الأولى من (15) طالبًا وطالبة درسوا مادة اللغة العربية باستخدام استراتيجية التفكير بصوت عال، وتكونت المجموعة الضابطة من (15) طالبًا وطالبة درسوا المادة بالطريقة الاعتيادية. واستخدمت الدّراسة اختبار مهارات التحدث (القبلي والبعدي). وقد أسفرت النتائج عن وجود فروق ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى (α=0.05) لصالح المجموعة التجريبية التي استخدمت استراتيجية التفكير بصوت عال في اختبار مهارات التحدث.   كلمات مفتاحية: استرتيجية التفكير بصوت عال، مهارات التحدث، متعلمو اللغة العربية

scholarly journals Pictorial Metaplan as a Teaching aid to Improve Speaking Skills in Junior High School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-218
Author(s):  
Deswandito Dwi Saptanto ◽  
Tri Arie Bowo ◽  
Ratih Laily Nurjanah
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
Junior High ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Teaching Aid ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Conventional Methods ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Speaking Skills

This study focuses on improving students’ abilities in learning English with the support of Pictorial Metaplan as a teaching aid. The use of this Metaplan aims to improve speaking skills in formal and non-formal contexts. This pictorial Metaplan is a realia in the form of an illustrated carpet with a theme Getting Direction. Pictorial Metaplan focuses on the topic Getting Direction and applied directly to 15 students in the 8th grade of junior high school. The implementation of the use of the Pictorial Metaplan begins with distributing questionnaires and implementing Pre- Test and Post-Test, then direct implementation of using Pictorial Metaplan combined with Total Physical Response (TPR) method. The treatment for students was carried out by dividing two class groups, the control group, and the experimental group. The control group used conventional methods, without using learning aids, while the second group used the Pictorial Metaplan as a teaching aid. Based on the results of Pre-Test and Post-Test show an increase in the results of the values before and after implementing the Pictorial Metaplan. Thus it can be concluded that learning in the experimental group using Pictorial Metaplan is more effective than learning using conventional methods.

Integrated Spoken and Written English Instruction for the Hearing-Impaired Student

1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquelyn F. Kelly ◽  
Robert L. Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Oral Language ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Integrated Instruction ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Oral Expression ◽  
English Instruction ◽  
Experimental Group

This study was designed to investigate the effect of integrated instruction in both spoken and written English on oral expression of hearing-impaired persons. Twenty-five hearing-impaired young adults were enrolled in English courses that focused on reading and writing skills only (control group) or on reading, writing, and complementary oral language instruction (experimental group). The experimental group demonstrated significant improvement in grammatical correctness of spoken English and in speech intelligibility, while the control group failed to demonstrate a significant improvement in these areas.

scholarly journals Training Japanese Speakers to Identify Nasal Codas of Mandarin Chinese

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Ruining. Yang ◽  
Hiroaki. Nanjo ◽  
Masatake. Danstuji
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Mandarin Chinese ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
High Variability ◽  
Early Research ◽  
Identification Accuracy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Training Process ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Experimental Group

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of high variability training on “-n” and “-ng” in Mandarin Chinese. 46 Japanese native speakers who study Mandarin Chinese as a second foreign language at a university in Japan were divided into one experimental group and one control group. Participants assigned to the experimental group trained themselves using software, which was developed in our early research. Participants in the control group took Chinese lessons normally. Identification tasks (ITs) were conducted before and after the training. After 12 sessions, the average identification accuracy of nasal codas increased 7.1% (p < .05) in the experimental group, however, decreased 1.2% (p > .05) in the control group. Results of the training process prove that the training was effective for some participants, while had little effect on other participants. From the questionnaires, we found that there is a disagreement between the participants’ subjective ability to identify nasal codas and the actual identification accuracy in ITs. Participants underestimate their ability to identify “-n” and “-ng” before training and overestimate their ability to identify “-n” and “-ng” after training. We made a formula to predict the accuracy of ITs (y) in the last 4 training sessions (x): y = 2.13x2 - 2.35x + 1.23. This formula will help participants to grasp the training process and predict their identification ability.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of task-based language teaching to improve students' speaking skills

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-214
Author(s):  
Morita Panduwangi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Private College ◽  
Control Group ◽  
English Department ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Post Test ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Speaking Skills

This study aims to find out the effectiveness of Task-Based English Teaching (TBLT) to improve college students’ speaking skills. Teaching speaking is considered to be difficult as there are various factors involved, both from the teachers’ part and the students’ as well. TBLT uses authentic sources of teaching materials with tasks as the essence of the teaching instructions. The research was done in a private college in Bogor. Sixty 1st semester-students of non-English department are the subjects of the research. They were divided into two groups: the control group and experimental group. Each group consists of 30 students. The control group was taught using a more conventional method, however the experimental group was taught using Task-based instructions. A pre and post test were administered to both groups to find out the effectiveness of TBLT to improve their speaking skills. The mean scores of pre and post English speaking tests were tabulated using SPSS to identify whether there was a difference in students’ achievement of both groups and whether the difference was significant or not. Questionnaires were also distributed to find out their perspectives towards the English lessons. The results of the tests were supported by the students’ answers in the questionnaires in which all students of the experimental group showed significant improvement in their speaking skills in term of accuracy and fluency. Their perspective after experiencing TBLT in the English lessons also demonstrates a significant change resulting in students’ higher self confidence in speaking.

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