ERIC Number: EJ1346048
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-4018
EISSN: EISSN-1932-586X
The Role of Speech-in-Noise in Japanese EFL Learners' Listening Comprehension Process and Their Use of Contextual Information
Fujita, Ryoko
International Journal of Listening, v36 n2 p118-137 2022
This study aims to investigate English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' use of context information under various noise conditions. The participants were seven Japanese undergraduate students. A noise test adopted from the Speech-Perception-in-Noise (SPIN) test (Kalikow et al., 1977) was used. Four signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions (SNR = 0, 5, 10, 15) and a condition without noise were added to the SPIN test. Data were collected using think-aloud protocol procedures. Some target words presented in the noise test were supported with contextual information, enabling learners to use top-down prediction, whereas others were not supported with contextual information, making it difficult for learners to predict the target words. The results showed that, first, learners used contextual information at all noise levels, but differently in high- and low-context sentences. Second, participants' listening comprehension was greatly affected by background noise. The scores on the noise test and their confidence levels decreased as the level of noise increased. Third, the participants used contextual information successfully and most frequently when the SNR = 15. It was also found that the tolerance level for noise varied among participants. Implications for listening assessment and teaching are discussed.
Descriptors: Acoustics, Listening Comprehension, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Foreign Countries, Context Effect, Undergraduate Students, Auditory Perception, Language Tests, Protocol Analysis, Student Attitudes, Prediction, Scores, Self Efficacy, Listening Comprehension Tests
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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: Japan
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Test of English as a Foreign Language
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A