Saito, Kazuya, Ilkan, Meltem, Magne, Viktoria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1305-9119, Tran, Mai and Suzuki, Shungo (2018) Acoustic characteristics and learner profiles of low, mid and high-level second language fluency. Applied Psycholinguistics, 39 (3). pp. 593-167. ISSN 0142-7164

Preview

PDF AP2018.pdf - Accepted Version Download (416kB) | Preview

Abstract

In the context of 90 adult Japanese learners of English with diverse L2 experience and 10 native speakers, this study examined the linguistic characteristics and learner profiles of low, mid and high-level fluency performance. The participants’ spontaneous speech samples were first rated by 10 native listeners for global fluency on a 9-point scale (1 =dysfluent, 9 = very fluent), and then divided into four proficiency groups via cluster analyses: low (n = 29), mid (n = 30), high (n = 31) and native (n = 10). Next, the dataset was analyzed for the number of pauses in mid/final clauses, articulation rate and the frequency of repetitions/self-corrections. According to the results of a series of ANOVAs, the number of final-clause pauses differentiated low and mid-level fluency performance; the number of mid-clause pauses differentiated mid and high-level performance; and articulation rate differentiated high and nativelike performance. The analyses also found that the participants’ L2 fluency was significantly associated with their length of residence profiles (0-18 years), but not with their age of arrival profiles (19-40 years).

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1017/S0142716417000571
Additional Information:	© 2017 Cambridge University Press. This paper has been accepted for publication and will appear in a revised form, subsequent to peer-review and/or editorial input by Cambridge University Press.
Keywords:	Fluency, Speech, Suprasegmentals, experience effects, age effects
Subjects:	Education > Teaching and learning
Depositing User:	Viktoria Magne
Date Deposited:	13 Nov 2017 14:54
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 12:04
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/4142

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item