Bridging the Notion of Intelligible Pronunciation in English and Positive Attitudes toward Learners’ Own English Accent

Abstract

This paper presents a part of literature review in relation to factors that affect English language learning and speaking. The review indicates research gap for a study the authors have been working on since 2017. It was found that age, native language, language exposure, and attitude are recognized by scholars, researchers, and teachers as variables that determine the level and success of foreign/second language learning. Bridging the notion of intelligible pronunciation in English and positive attitudes toward learners’ own English accent may be suitable for adult learners in a Thai social context due to dichotomy between affective, linguistic and socio-cultural factors. By taking such variables into account, the authors employed the phonetics website, a technology teaching tool, to teach English sounds that do not exist in Thai to non-English major undergraduate students so as to help them focus on clear pronunciation and promote their positive attitudes toward their own English accent. The teaching tool is used as a means to help the students bridge the notion of clear pronunciation and their positive attitudes toward their own English accent.