Web-based pronunciation training and learning consonant clusters among EFL learners

Abstract

Arab learners of English often face challenges when it comes to correctly pronouncing English consonant clusters. To address these difficulties, technology-driven methods can be employed to enhance the acquisition of proper English consonant cluster pronunciation. This research endeavor aimed to assess the impact of web-based pronunciation training on the articulation of consonant clusters. The research followed an experimental design, involving fifty-eight Saudi learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) who were enrolled at a public university in Saudi Arabia. These participants were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received a list of words containing consonant clusters to practice using YouGlish as a resource. Meanwhile, the control group was instructed to listen to the instructor's pronunciation and then practice producing the words with consonant clusters. The outcomes demonstrated a significant improvement in the production of words with consonant clusters among the experimental group, attributed to the utilization of web-based pronunciation training. These findings hold promise for the field of language learning, highlighting the effectiveness of web-based pronunciation training as a valuable tool for teaching second language pronunciation.

Keywords

• Consonant clusters
• EFL learners
• Pronunciation
• YouGlish
• Web-based pronunciation training