Phonological Variations and Problems in English Pronunciation among Thai EFL Learners:
A Case Study of Undergraduate Students at Huachiew Chalermprakiet University
Keywords:
Phonological Variations, Segmental Phonemes, Supra-segmental Phonemes, Pronunciation Problems, Thai EFL StudentsAbstract
This paper attempts to examine phonological variations and problem sounds in English pronunciation among Thai undergraduate students. The purposes of this study were to 1) find out the English problem sounds for Thai EFL learners, and 2) investigate significant factors causing the problems in English pronunciation of those sounds. Quantitative and
qualitative methods were employed in the research design of this study. The instruments for this study were questionnaires and semi-interview forms. The samples were 20 undergraduate English-Chinese major students who enrolled EG2173 (English Phonetics Phonology) at Huachiew Chalermprakiet University. The findings from the students’ answers showed that 4 English consonant sounds, especially [θ], [ð], [tʃ], and [ʤ] and consonant clusters both at the initial and final positions were mentioned as serious problems of pronunciation at the segmental level whereas consonant linking sounds, and rising intonation patterns (2-3 level) such as in Yes-No questions were reported as serious problems at supra-segmental level. Besides, phonetic learning background was reported as the factor mostly caused problems in learning phonetics. The findings could be concluded that the differences of the sound systems between English and Thai and some factors including phonetic ability, native language, background of learning English pronunciation, teaching methodology, and motivation caused the students’ problems in English pronunciation as well.
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บทความที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสารศิลปศาสตร์ปริทัศน์
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