Angelos Lengeris on High Variability Phonetic Training

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Dr Angelos Lengeris, Lecturer in Linguistics in the Department of English Language & Linguistics, has been invited to talk at the University of Essex on Thursday 11 May, with a talk entitled ‘Effects of Computer-based Auditory Training on L2 Sound Perception and Pronunciation’.

Computer-based auditory training using a High Variability Phonetic Training (HVPT) approach can improve adult learners’ perception of second-language (L2) vowels and consonants (e.g. Lively et al., 1993; Iverson & Evans, 2009). Importantly, while learners do not receive any explicit pronunciation instruction, improvement in perception is transferred to pronunciation (e.g. Lengeris & Hazan, 2010; Bradlow et al., 1997).

In the talk, Dr Lengeris will be discussing the key aspects of HVPT (e.g., identification training with feedback, variable natural stimuli, multiple native talkers). In addition, he will be presenting the results of a recent study showing that pronunciation gains are transferred to spontaneous, unscripted speech, thus confirming the efficiency of HVPT as well as a perception-pronunciation link. At a practical level, HVPT can be easily adopted in the TESOL/EFL classroom to improve the teaching of pronunciation.

The event is open to the general public. Further information is available at: www.essex.ac.uk/events/event.aspx?e_id=11914

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