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.