CAMBODIAN EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF FACTORS INFLUENCING PRONUNCIATION

Chandarey Vong(1*), Rany Sam(2), Seth Soy(3),

(1) National University of Battambang, Cambodia
(2) National University of Battambang, Cambodia
(3) Techo Hun Sen Kalaom Phluk High School, Cambodia
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


This study aims to explore students’ perceptions of factors influencing pronunciation. The study was designed quantitatively. The purposive sampling method was used, and 50 Cambodian EFL students at the National University of Battambang were selected as the sample. The questionnaire was designed in a semi-structured format. The data was analyzed by SPSS. The result showed that most participants believed learning English from a young age leads to better pronunciation. Interestingly, it indicated that the mother tongue (Khmer) influences English pronunciation since learners find it difficult to produce some sounds, especially the /th/sh/f/v/ sound in English, as these sounds do not exist in the sound system of Khmer. Additionally, the majority of the respondents believed that being exposed to an English-speaking environment, including real communication with English native speakers or access to English-speaking learning media, can enhance pronunciation. Last but not least, it was also assumed that feedback on pronunciation errors and motivation contribute to a positive learning process. Therefore, this study provides insight into effective pronunciation instruction.

Keywords


EFL, perception, pronunciation

Full Text:

PDF

References


Ali Khan, T. (2019). A descriptive study: Factors affecting the pronunciation of English language (L2). Journal of Communication and Cultural Trends, 1, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.32350/jcct.12.01

Arianto, R. O. (2019). Corrective feedback on pronunciation errors: Teacher’s perception and EFL high school students’ self-reflection. Journal of English Education and Teaching, 3(4), 413-428. https://doi.org/10.33369/jeet.3.4.413-428

Avery, P., & Ehrlich, S. (1987). Preliminary considerations in the teaching of pronunciation. London: TESL Center.

Baily, M. N. (2011). Innovation and the productivity crisis. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press.

Bernaus, M., Masgoret, A., Gardner, R., & Reyes, E. (2004). Motivation and attitudes towards learning language in multicultural classrooms. International Journal of Multilingualism, 1(2), 75-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14790710408668180

Bian, F. (2013). The influence of Chinese stress on English pronunciation teaching and learning. English Language Teaching, 6(11), 199-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/elt.v6n11p199

Burns, A., & Seidlhofer, B. (2019). Speaking and pronunciation. In N. Schmitt, M. P.H. Rodgers (Eds.), An introduction to applied linguistics (pp. 240-258). London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429424465

Creswell, J. W. (2003). Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc..

Cucchiarini, C., Heuvel, H. V. D., Sanders, E. P., & Strik, H. (2011). Error selection for ASR-based English pronunciation training in ‘My Pronunciation Coach’. Interspeech, 1165-1168. https://doi.org/10.21437/Interspeech.2011-345

Denizer, E. N. (2017). Does mother tongue interfere in second language learning? Journal of Foreign Language Education and Technology, 2(1), 39-54.

Derwing, T. M., & Munro, M. J. (2005). Second language accent and pronunciation teaching: A research‐based approach. TESOL Quarterly, 39(3), 379-397.

Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Pronunciation. http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pronunciation

Dörnyei, Z. (2001). Teaching and researching motivation. Harlow: Longman.

Gan, Z., Humphreys, G., & Hamp‐Lyons, L. (2004). Understanding successful and unsuccessful EFL students in Chinese universities. The Modern Language Journal, 88(2), 229-244.

Gilakjani, A. P. (2012). A study of factors affecting EFL learners’ English pronunciation learning and the strategies for instruction. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 2(3), 119-128.

Gilakjani, A. P. (2012). The significance of pronunciation in English language teaching. English Language Teaching, 5(4), 96-107. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v5n4p96

Gilakjani, A., Ahmadi, S., & Ahmadi, M. (2011). Why is pronunciation so difficult to learn? English Language Teaching, 4(3), 74-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/elt.v4n3p74

Gilakjani, A.P., Namaziandost, E., & Ziafar, M. (2020). A survey study of factors influencing Iranian EFL learners’ English pronunciation learning. International Journal of Research in English Education, 5(2), 103-123.

Graham, J. (1994). Four strategies to improve the speech of adult learners. TESOL Journal, 3(3), 26-28.

Hassan, E. M. I. (2014). Pronunciation problems: A case study of English language students at Sudan University of Science and Technology. English Language and Literature Studies, 4(4), 31-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ells.v4n4p31

Jenkins, J. (2000). The phonology of English as an international language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kenworthy, J. (1987). Teaching English pronunciation. New York: Longman.

Keuk, C. N. (2008) English language variety in Cambodia. CamTESOL: Conference on English Language Teaching Selected Papers, 4, 98-104.

Kobilova, N. R. (2022). Importance of pronunciation in English language communication. Academic Research in Educational Sciences, 3(6), 592-597.

Lord, G. (2008). Podcasting communities and second language pronunciation. Foreign Language Annals, 41(2), 364-379. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2008.tb03297.x

Marinova-Todd, S. H., Marshall, D. B., & Snow, C. E. (2000). Three misconceptions about age and L2 learning. TESOL Quarterly, 34(1), 9-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3588095

Masgoret, A., & Gardner, R. (2003). Attitudes, motivation, and second language learning: A meta-analysis of studies conducted by Gardner and associates. Language Learning, 53(1), 123-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9922.00212

Narith, K. C. (2008). English language variety in Cambodia. CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching: Selected Papers, 4, 98.

Nordquist, R. (n.d.). What is the English language? ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-english-language-1690652

O’Brien, M. G. (2021). Ease and difficulty in L2 pronunciation teaching: A mini-review. Frontiers in Communication, 5, 626985. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2020.626985

Petrescu, S. H., Lazar, A., Cioban, C., & Doroftei, I. (2017). Semi-structured interview. In O.R. Ilovan & I. Doroftei (Eds.), Qualitative research in regional geography: A methodological approach (pp 37-50). Cluj-Napoca: Presa.

Seom, S. (2021). Factors influencing English pronunciation learning and suggestions for pronunciation teaching. Cambodian Journal of Educational Research, 1(1), 31-41.

Shively, R. L. (2008). L2 acquisition of [β], [δ], and [γ] in Spanish: Impact of experience, linguistic environment and learner variables. Southwest Journal of Linguistics, 27(2), 79-114.

Shumin, K. (1997). Factors to consider: Developing adult EFL students' speaking abilities. English Teaching Forum, 35(3), 8.

Srakaew, P. N. (2021). The importance of pronunciation in English communication. Journal of Asian Language Teaching and Learning, 2(2), 11-18.

Zawawi, D. (2007). Quantitative versus qualitative methods in social sciences: Bridging the gap. Integration & Dissemination, 3-4.

Zhang, F., & Yin, P. (2009). A study of pronunciation problems of English learners in China. Asian Social Science, 5(6), 141-146. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v5n6p141




DOI: https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v27i2.8031

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Chandarey Vong, Rany Sam, Seth Soy

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Indexed and abstracted in:

     

 

 

LLT Journal Sinta 1 Certificate (S1 = Level 1)

We would like to inform you that LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching has been nationally accredited Sinta 1 by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia based on the decree  No. Surat Keputusan 169/E/KPT/2024. Validity for 5 years: Vol ... No 1, 20... till Vol ... No 2, 20...


Sinta 1 certificate to post here asap. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

 

  

 

This work is licensed under CC BY-SA.

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

 

Free counters!


 LLT Journal: A Journal on Language and Language Teaching, DOI: https://doi.org/10.24071/llt, e-ISSN 2579-9533 and p-ISSN 1410-7201, is published twice a year, namely in April and October by the English Language Education Study Programme of Teacher Training and Education Faculty of Sanata Dharma University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.