Postgraduate Thesis: Development and assessment of an acoustics-based multisensory accent reduction system

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TitleDevelopment and assessment of an acoustics-based multisensory accent reduction system
AuthorsZhang, Lan
章澜
Issue Date2012
PublisherThe University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
AbstractTechnological advancements in the recent past have provided new methods for learning to speak English as a second language (ESL). The majority of accent reduction training regimes nowadays involve the use of different media as teaching and learning cues such as video or audio signals. However, few such programs have been proven to actually provide efficient and useful feed back to ESL learners, and few offers evidence proving that such multisensory approach of accent reduction is superior to traditional unisensory (auditory-only) approach. The present study intended to design and assess the effectiveness and efficacy of a multisensory, acoustics-based accent reduction training system that is capable of training foreign speakers to correctly produce English vowels by providing instantaneous auditory and visual feedback to the users. The study also validated the system against traditional accent modification regimes by objectively comparing the efficacy of such system with traditional accent reduction training. Results indicate that multimedia-based training with instantaneous visual and auditory feedback yielded significant improvement in accent reduction.
AdvisorsNg, ML
DegreeMaster of Philosophy
SubjectEnglish language - Pronunciation - Computer-assisted instruction.
English language - Pronunciation by foreign speakers.
English language - Accents and accentuation.
Dept/ProgramSpeech and Hearing Sciences
DC Field
Value
dc.contributor.advisorNg, ML
dc.contributor.authorZhang, Lan
dc.contributor.author章澜
dc.date.hkucongregation2012
dc.date.issued2012
dc.description.abstractTechnological advancements in the recent past have provided new methods for learning to speak English as a second language (ESL). The majority of accent reduction training regimes nowadays involve the use of different media as teaching and learning cues such as video or audio signals. However, few such programs have been proven to actually provide efficient and useful feed back to ESL learners, and few offers evidence proving that such multisensory approach of accent reduction is superior to traditional unisensory (auditory-only) approach. The present study intended to design and assess the effectiveness and efficacy of a multisensory, acoustics-based accent reduction training system that is capable of training foreign speakers to correctly produce English vowels by providing instantaneous auditory and visual feedback to the users. The study also validated the system against traditional accent modification regimes by objectively comparing the efficacy of such system with traditional accent reduction training. Results indicate that multimedia-based training with instantaneous visual and auditory feedback yielded significant improvement in accent reduction.
dc.description.naturepublished_or_final_version
dc.description.thesisdisciplineSpeech and Hearing Sciences
dc.description.thesislevelmaster's
dc.description.thesisnameMaster of Philosophy
dc.identifier.hkulb4833018
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherThe University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong)
dc.relation.ispartofHKU Theses Online (HKUTO)
dc.rightsThe author retains all proprietary rights, (such as patent rights) and the right to use in future works.
dc.rightsCreative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License
dc.source.urihttp://hub.hku.hk/bib/B48330188
dc.subject.lcshEnglish language - Pronunciation - Computer-assisted instruction.
dc.subject.lcshEnglish language - Pronunciation by foreign speakers.
dc.subject.lcshEnglish language - Accents and accentuation.
dc.titleDevelopment and assessment of an acoustics-based multisensory accent reduction system
dc.typePG_Thesis