The Introduction of Nihongo Speech Trainer: A Tool for Learning Japanese Sounds

Abstract

This paper investigates the computer-assisted pronunciation training “Nihongo Speech Trainer”, aimed at helping Thai learners of Japanese to improve their perception and production of Japanese contrasts. The tool focuses on specific sounds which are said to be problematic for Thai learners. Perceptual training using a high-variability phonetic training method (“HVPT perceptual training”), to be specific, a wide range of variations in training stimuli (real words and nonsense words), a number of native speakers’ input, multiple phonetic contexts and multiple word positions of the L2 contrasts were used in the tool. Moreover, a tutorial video was also integrated in the Nihongo Speech Trainer. In this article, an overview of the Nihongo Speech Trainer system, key features and the user interface will be introduced.