ERIC Number: EJ1423133
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 26
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-1094-3501
Available Date: N/A
Visual Reinforcement through Digital Zoom Technology in FL Pronunciation Instruction
Siqi Wang; Jian Li; Qian Liang
Language Learning & Technology, v28 n1 2024
Drawing on skill acquisition theory (DeKeyser, 2017) and the Information Feedforward and Feedback Loop model (de Bot, 1980), this study aimed to explore the effects of digital zoom technology as a visual reinforcement tool (VRT) in foreign language (FL) pronunciation instruction on learners' segmental production, and learners' attitudes toward and experience with it. The study was conducted during a two-week introductory FL Spvanish course with a cross-over design. In the experimental class, the teacher used a tablet to provide magnified visual feedforward for articulatory gestures during explicit instruction of target consonants that were new to Chinese learners, and the students used smartphone apps with digital zoom for augmented visual self-feedback during their practice. In the control class, the teacher adopted a traditional analytic-linguistic approach for explicit instruction and an audio-only intuitive-imitative approach for students' practice. The results of the production test show that the experimental group performed significantly better in the production of the postvocalic /[squat reversed esh]/ and the dental fricatives /[voiceless dental fricative]/ and /[voiced dental fricative]/, but not in the trill /r/. Interview data suggests that the VRT strategy was advantageous in directing the participants' attention to articulatory gestures, and that most students showed positive attitudes toward this new method.
Descriptors: Visual Aids, Pronunciation Instruction, Second Language Instruction, Spanish, Introductory Courses, Computer Oriented Programs, Handheld Devices, Telecommunications, Interactive Video, Photography, Student Attitudes, College Students, Foreign Countries
National Foreign Language Resource Center at University of Hawaii. 1859 East-West Road #106, Honolulu, HI 96822. e-mail: llt@hawaii.edu; Web site: https://www.lltjournal.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China (Shanghai)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A