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[Journal of Second Language Pronunciation 6:1] 2020
► pp. 39–67

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The Supra Tutor

Improving speaker comprehensibility through a fully online pronunciation course

ORCiD logo with link | Ohio University
Published online: 25 February 2020
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.18031.lim
Abstract
Pronunciation is critical for English oral language proficiency because of its immediate role in language judgments. However, effective and targeted English pronunciation instruction is scarce. Given the need for pronunciation instruction and the undeniable impact of suprasegmentals on intelligibility and on comprehensibility, the Supra Tutor, a four-module online pronunciation tutor focusing on suprasegmentals, was developed. This mixed methods study assessed the impact of the Supra Tutor on the comprehensibility of international teaching assistants (ITAs). Participants were evaluated for comprehensibility before and after training. The study also examined ITAs’ perceptions of the Supra Tutor in terms of usefulness, engagement, and overall quality. Findings indicated that the Supra Tutor can provide effective pronunciation instruction and engage learners to successfully complete the training. Research and pedagogical implications of the Supra Tutor and its contribution to pronunciation instruction are discussed.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review
    • 2.1Importance of teaching suprasegmentals
    • 2.2Computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT)
  • 3.Methods
    • 3.1Research design
    • 3.2Participants
    • 3.3The Supra Tutor
    • 3.4Materials
      • 3.4.1ITA background questionnaire
      • 3.4.2Naïve rater background questionnaire
      • 3.4.3Videotaped lectures
      • 3.4.4Naïve rater scale
      • 3.4.5Evaluation of the Supra Tutor questionnaire
      • 3.4.6Supra Tutor activity reports
    • 3.5Procedures
    • 3.6Data analysis
  • 4.Results and discussion
    • 4.1Research question 1: Impact of the Supra Tutor on the comprehensibility of ITAs
    • 4.2Research question 2: ITAs’ evaluation of the Supra Tutor in terms of usefulness, level of interest, and quality of the materials
      • 4.2.1ITAs’ assessment of their own performance
      • 4.2.2ITAs’ evaluation of the Supra Tutor
  • 5.Limitations and future research
  • 6.Conclusion and implications
  • References
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