Effectiveness of Parent Training in the Minimal Contrast Approach in Home English Literacy Environments on Preschoolers’ English Pronunciation Skills

บทคัดย่อ

This pre-experimental study, incorporating predictive and correlational analyses, addresses the persistent challenge of English pronunciation among Thai learners—particularly in producing non-native sounds. It examines the effects of parent-led interventions within the home English literacy environment (HELE) of preschoolers. Although prior research has predominantly emphasized classroom-based instruction and older learners, parental engagement in early pronunciation development remains an underexplored area. This study highlights the role of parents trained in the Minimal Contrast Approach (MCA) in enhancing young children’s pronunciation. Fifteen parent–preschooler dyads, recruited through volunteer and purposive sampling, participated in the intervention. Data were collected via pronunciation tests, MCA-based storybooks, and activity logs. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, dependent t-tests, simple linear regression, and Spearman’s rho. The results showed significant improvement in children’s pronunciation after the intervention (p < .001; Cohen’s d = 2.49). Parental pronunciation proficiency significantly predicted children’s posttest outcomes, and the duration and frequency of storybook reading positively correlated with children’s pronunciation performance, while the quantity of home literacy resources showed no significant association. These findings support the effectiveness of structured parent-led HELE activities in improving preschoolers’ pronunciation and provide initial evidence to guide scalable HELE-based interventions in the Thai EFL context. More diverse family contexts and a wider range of English sounds that are typically difficult for Thai learners (e.g., /ʒ/, /ð/) should be further expanded to strengthen the research foundation in early HELE-based pronunciation development.