scholarly journals Perception of FA by Non-native Listeners in a Study Abroad Context

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Avello ◽  
Joan Carles Mora ◽  
Carmen Pérez-Vidal
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Reading Aloud ◽  
Foreign Accent ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Phonological Development ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Exchange Programme ◽  
The Impact

The present study aims at exploring the under-investigated interface between SA and L2 phonological development by assessing the impact of a 3-month SA programme on the pronunciation of a group of 23 Catalan/Spanish learners of English (NNSs) by means of phonetic measures and perceived FA measures. 6 native speakers (NS) in an exchange programme in Spain provided baseline data for comparison purposes. The participants were recorded performing a reading aloud task before (pre-test) and immediately after (post-test) the SA. Another group of 37 proficient non-native listeners, also bilingual in Catalan/Spanish and trained in English phonetics, assessed the NNS' speech samples for degree of FA. Phonetic measures consisted of pronunciation accuracy scores computed by counting pronunciation errors (phonemic deletions, insertions and substitutions, and stress misplacement). Measures of perceived FA were obtained with two experiments. In experiment 1, the listeners heard a random presentation of the sentences produced by the NSs and by the NNSs at pre-test and post-test and rated them on a 7-point Likert scale for degree of FA (1 = “native” , 7 = “heavy foreign accent”). In experiment 2, they heard paired pre-test/post-test sentences (i.e. produced by the same NNS at pre-test and post-test) and indicated which of the two sounded more native-like. Then, they stated their judgment confidence level on a 7-point scale (1 = “unsure”, 7 = “sure”). Results indicated a slight, non-significant improvement in perceived FA after SA. However, a significant decrease was found in pronunciation accuracy scores after SA. Measures of pronunciation accuracy and FA ratings were also found to be strongly correlated. These findings are discussed in light of the often reported mixed results as regards pronunciation improvement during short-term immersion.

scholarly journals Native Speaker Perceptions of Accented Speech: The English Pronunciation of Macedonian EFL Learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 41-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastazija Kirkova-Naskova
Keyword(s):  
Web Application ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Foreign Accent ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Accented Speech ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Result Analysis

The paper reports on the results of a study that aimed to describe the vocalic and consonantal features of the English pronunciation of Macedonian EFL learners as perceived by native speakers of English and to find out whether native speakers who speak different standard variants of English perceive the same segments as non-native. A specially designed computer web application was employed to gather two types of data: a) quantitative (frequency of segment variables and global foreign accent ratings on a 5-point scale), and b) qualitative (open-ended questions). The result analysis points out to three most frequent markers of foreign accent in the English speech of Macedonian EFL learners: final obstruent devoicing, vowel shortening and substitution of English dental fricatives with Macedonian dental plosives. It also reflects additional phonetic aspects poorly explained in the available reference literature such as allophonic distributional differences between the two languages and intonational mismatch.

Situations and strategies for cultural learning in a short exchange programme

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-211
Author(s):  
Mette Bønløkke ◽  
Lieneke van der Linde ◽  
Elena De Lorenzo Urien
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Stepping Stones ◽  
Nursing Culture ◽  
Exchange Programme ◽  
The Impact

The European Nursing Module was designed to enable nursing students to benefit from a short-term exchange, offering the opportunity to experience different societies, their culture and nursing culture. Cultural learning is essential in preparing students to co-work with patients and relatives who come from other cultural backgrounds. This descriptive study aimed to identify the situations and strategies valued by students and that contribute to professional and cultural learning during a short-term exchange programme. A online survey questionnaire was answered by 329 students attending a cross-European module. From their experience students valued highest: time to observe and understand, awareness of their own culture, a positive attitude, opportunities to compare differences and similarities, sharing and communicating. Valued stepping-stones were, to realise and respect differences and a chance to reflect. More studies are needed on the role of the observer and the impact of reflection on a short-term programme.

scholarly journals Impact of Short-Term Bhastrika Pranayama on Respiratory Parameters: An Ancient Practice with Contemporary Significance

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
Singh Bal Baljinder
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Tidal Volume ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Respiratory Parameters ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Mean ◽  
University Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Purpose: The study was conducted to determine the impact of short-term bhastrika pranayama on respiratory parameters. Material : The research was carried out on a sample of 30 university level girls. Experimental group was subjected to 4-week training of bhastrika pranayama. Statistical Analysis: Student t test was utilized for analysis of data. Results : The Mean and Standard Deviation values of Tidal Volume (VT) of pre-test and post-test of experimental group was 389.60 ± 10.25 and 408.40 ± 27.44 respectively. However, the Mean and Standard Deviation values of Tidal Volume of pre-test and post-test of control group were 352.93 ± 8.80 and 351.40 ± 9.83. The t-value in case of experimental group was 2.8976 and for control group it was 1.3580. Conclusions : The significant differences were noted in Tidal Volume, Expiratory Reserve Volume, Inspiratory Reserve Volume, Vital Capacity and Inspiratory Capacity in the experimental group. However, insignificant changes over that 4-week period were noted in the control group.

scholarly journals The impact of a program based on the narrative approach to develop the skill of creative written expression among the students of the Institute of teaching Arabic language to non- native speakers at the Islamic University in Madinah: أثر برنامج قائم على المدخل القصصي لتنمية مهارة التعبير الكتابي الإبداعي لدى طلاب معهد تعليم اللغة العربية لغير الناطقين بها بالجامعة الإسلامية بالمدينة المنورة

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naif Ca'dan Al- otaib
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
Written Expression ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Fourth Level ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Descriptive Approach ◽  
The Impact

The aim is to develop a list of written expression skills required for students, And to prepare a list of the foundations of building a program based on the narrative approach to develop the skill of creative written expression among students, build a program based on the skill of creative written expression required for students, and identify the impact of a program based on the story Creative expression of students). The researcher used the semi-experimental method to study the results of the tribal and post-test, as well as the analytical descriptive approach to the study of concepts and their development in the framework of the theoretical framework, which will be based on secondary data from scientific sources, such as books and periodicals. Data for the field study segment were analyzed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program, and percentages, computational averages, and T-test samples were extracted. After the researcher verified the validity of his tools and materials and measuring their stability, he began to apply them to the research sample consisting of (28) students of the fourth level in the Institute of Arabic Language Teaching non- speakers at the Islamic University in Medina, After the analysis, the researcher found the following results: - To find a list of creative written expression skills required for students. This list included six basic skills that resulted in thirty- one sub-skills. - The rate of availability of creative written expression skills among the students was (51.8) and this percentage is (weak) according to the Islamic University regulations. - The results showed the effect of the program based on the narrative approach in the development of creative written expression skills among the students. There were statistically significant differences at the level of (0.05) between the average of the students in the tribal and remote application in favor of the post-application. In light of the findings of the current research, some recommendations and proposals were presented.

scholarly journals The effect of study abroad on intercultural competence: Results from a longitudinal quasi-experimental study

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sybille Heinzmann ◽  
Roland Künzle ◽  
Nicole Schallhart ◽  
Marianne Müller
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Study Abroad Programs ◽  
Short Term Study ◽  
Key Characteristics ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

This study analyses the impact of short-term study abroad experiences on upper secondary school students’ intercultural competence by means of an experimental design including an intervention and a control group who are studied longitudinally by means of a pre-test, post-test and delayed post-test. In recent years there has been an increasing effort to evaluate the success of study abroad programs not only in terms of number of participants, but in terms of academic, intercultural and linguistic development. Nevertheless, few studies have employed the experimental designs needed to gauge the impact of study abroad programs and even fewer have included a delayed posttest which may shed light on the sustainability of identified effects. The present study includes a broad range of study abroad programs which differ in terms of certain key characteristics, such as duration, type of accommodation or target language. In this way, it is possible to analyse the effect of different parameters on the student’s intercultural development and, ultimately, to identify key factors for successful programs. The paper starts by discussing different models of intercultural competence before outlining the model used in this study. This is followed by a presentation of the participants and the key characteristics of their individual study abroad programs. Analyses of covariance are used to examine the intercultural competence of the students in the control group and the intervention group at the time of the post-test and the delayed posttest and to identify key factors that contribute to the explanation of their intercultural competence. The findings indicate that short-term study abroad experiences have a positive influence on young people’s intercultural competence both short-term and longer-term. The most crucial factors for the explanation of the participants’ intercultural competence are their starting conditions, the duration of their stay, the amount of interaction with representatives of the target culture, and the regular use of the target language. The paper finishes with a discussion of implications for program design and of the limitations of the study.

scholarly journals The influence of a short stay abroad experience on perceived foreign accent

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Àngels Llanes
Keyword(s):  
Native Speakers ◽  
Home School ◽  
Foreign Accent ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Spanish Speaking ◽  
Home Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the impact of learning context on the L2 pronunciation of 14 Catalan/Spanish-speaking children. Eight children engaged in a two-month study abroad (SA) experience, whereas six students learned English (L2) in their home school. The participants were asked to describe a picture at three data collection times, namely prior to the SA group’s departure to Ireland, immediately after they returned from their stay abroad, and a further year later again. The excerpts were presented to a group of 11 native speakers of English who rated the degree of foreign accent. Results indicate that for the SA group, the difference between the pre- and post-tests was significant, and approaching significance between the pre- and delayed post-tests. For the at-home group of learners, no significant difference was found.

The Impact of Subjective and Objective Hearing Loss on Cognition and Memory in Older Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Rogalski ◽  
Amy Rominger
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Reading Aloud ◽  
Cognitive Testing ◽  
Professional Collaboration ◽  
Cognitive Screening ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Text Passage ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Audiologic Evaluation

For this exploratory cross-disciplinary study, a speech-language pathologist and an audiologist collaborated to investigate the effects of objective and subjective hearing loss on cognition and memory in 11 older adults without hearing loss (OAs), 6 older adults with unaided hearing loss (HLOAs), and 16 young adults (YAs). All participants received cognitive testing and a complete audiologic evaluation including a subjective questionnaire about perceived hearing difficulty. Memory testing involved listening to or reading aloud a text passage then verbally recalling the information. Key findings revealed that objective hearing loss and subjective hearing loss were correlated and both were associated with a cognitive screening test. Potential clinical implications are discussed and include a need for more cross-professional collaboration in assessing older adults with hearing loss.

A Newspaper’s Effect on the Strength of Automatic Associations in Memory

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Arendt
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Term Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Implicit Measure ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Treatment ◽  
Short Term Effect ◽  
Automatic Associations ◽  
Foreign Nationality ◽  
The Impact

A test was done to see if reading a newspaper which consistently overrepresents foreigners as criminals strengthens the automatic association between foreign country and criminal in memory (i.e., implicit cultivation). Further, an investigation was done to find out if reading articles from the same newspaper produces a short-term effect on the same measure and if (1) emotionalization of the newspaper texts, (2) emotional reactions of the reader (indicated by arousal), and (3) attributed text credibility moderate the short-term treatment effect. Eighty-five participants were assigned to one of three experimental conditions. Participants in the control group received short factual crime texts, where the nationality of the offender was not mentioned. Participants in the factual treatment group received the same texts, but the foreign nationality was mentioned. Participants in the emotionalized treatment group received emotionalized articles (i.e., texts which are high in vividness and frequency) covering the same crimes, with the foreign nationality mentioned. Supporting empirical evidence for implicit cultivation and a short-term effect was found. However, only emotionalized articles produced a short-term effect on the strength of the automatic association, indicating that newspaper texts must have a minimum of stimulus intensity to overcome an effect threshold. There were no moderating effects of arousal or credibility pertaining to the impact on the implicit measure. However, credibility moderated the short-term effect on a first-order judgment (i.e., estimated frequency of foreigners of all criminals). This indicates that a newspaper’s effect on the strength of automatic associations is relatively independent from processes of propositional reasoning.

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