The Impact of Utilizing Computer Assisted Language Learning on EFL Learners’ Foreign Accent Reduction

Journal of English Language Studies

مقاله 3، دوره 1، شماره 4، شهریور 2010، صفحه 41-62   

نویسندگان

Abdollah Baradaran¹؛ Zahra Davvar²

¹Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Iran

²MA in TEFL, Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch, Iran

چکیده

This study aimed at investigating the impact of utilizing CALL on EFL learners’ foreign accent reduction. To this end, 62 participants out of 100 undergraduate freshman English students at Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch were ed based on a piloted sample PET and a text-to-read. The ed participants were then nonrandomly assigned to an experimental and a control group, each containing 31 participants. The control group followed teacher instruction on pronunciation (Focus on Pronunciation 2 book and its CD). However, the experimental group received pronunciation instruction through CALL including the use of accent reduction software (Pronunciation Power 2) both inside and outside the class and e-learning by means of conducting group chats via Skype, receiving feedback by email, and doing some online exercises to practice pronunciation. Reaching the end of the semester, both groups took a posttest through the speaking section of the PET and a text-to-read. The results of the study revealed that the experimental group significantly performed better on the posttest following the utilization of CALL applications.

کلیدواژه‌ها

computer assisted language learning (CALL)؛ self-paced learning؛ computer mediated communication (CMC)؛ synchronous and asynchronous communication؛ electronic learning (e-learning)؛ foreign accent reduction