ERIC Number: EJ1271706
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Oct
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1642-1027
EISSN: N/A
Virtual Reality Assisted Pronunciation Training (VRAPT) for Young EFL Learners
Alemi, Minoo; Khatoony, Shiva
Teaching English with Technology, v20 n4 p59-81 Oct 2020
Technology integration has become increasingly prevalent in language education and technology teaching tools are currently used for English instruction. In line with this trend, it is also believed to be influential in teaching and learning pronunciation. To cast an empirical light on this issue, this study aimed to analyse the influence of Virtual Reality Assisted Pronunciation Training (VRAPT) on pronunciation of young Iranian EFL learners. With respect to this, 18 low-intermediate English language learners (6-12 years old) were invited to take part in the study held in the lab at Sharif University of Technology in Iran. First, their English language pronunciation was measured by a pronunciation pre-test through "Speech ace Browser." Next, in a virtual environment, during 10 sessions (each session 90 minutes), the participants received instructions on all of the pronunciation items measured in the test (consists of English vowels like /[near-close near-front unrounded vowel]/ and /i/ and also vowels of /[near-close back rounded vowel]/ and /u/) through the Virtual Reality (VR) game administered by a humanoid robot. The results of a paired samples t-test revealed that there was a significant difference between learners' performance before and after the training sessions. This paper recommends that simulated games within virtual reality could be applied in enhancing pronunciation skills of EFL learners and utilized in helping them to develop native-like pronunciation. It also generates new ways of thinking about VRAPT as an innovative teaching approach and creating an efficient and pleasurable English learning environment.
Descriptors: Pronunciation Instruction, Teaching Methods, Computer Simulation, Robotics, Computer Assisted Instruction, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Foreign Countries, Elementary School Students, Pretests Posttests, Language Tests, Test Items, Vowels
IATEFL Poland Computer Special Interest Group / University of Nicosia / Maria Curie-Sklodowska University. Ul. J. Sowinskiego 17, 20-041 Lublin, Poland. Web site: http://tewtjournal.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Iran
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A