Publication: English Diphthong Characteristics Produced by Thai EFL Learners: Individual Practice Using PRAAT
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Issued Date
2022
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
ISSN
21879036
Rights Holder(s)
Scopus
Bibliographic Citation
JCO global oncology. Vol 8, No. (2022), p.e2200205-
Suggested Citation
Behr N.S. English Diphthong Characteristics Produced by Thai EFL Learners: Individual Practice Using PRAAT. JCO global oncology. Vol 8, No. (2022), p.e2200205-. Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/9232
Author(s)
Abstract
Thai EFL learners may experience difficulty with the pronunciation of eight English diphthongs. It was considered that PRAAT, a speech analysis program, could assist learners to improve their performance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the pronunciation of these eight English diphthongs by a group of Thai EFL learners before and after one month of individual practice using PRAAT, after which participants would be asked to complete a feedback survey. F1 and F2 values as well as duration and rate of change (ROC) in diphthongs before and after training were measured and statistically compared with the t-test at p <.05. Results indicated that vowel duration was significantly longer after training. The first vocalic element appeared to be the longest part of the diphthong, and similar quality in this phase was observed before and after the training. Even though the learners seemed to struggle with the diphthongs /еɪ/, /ǝʊ/ and /eǝ/, the results for /еɪ/ after training exhibited values significantly greater than those for /ǝʊ/ and /eǝ/. Learners’ feedback mostly reflected their satisfaction with PRAAT as a tool for pronunciation practice. It could be concluded that PRAAT offers practical benefits to Thai EFL learners. © 2022, CALL-EJ. All rights reserved.