Bilingual Virtual Toolkit Let's Twist as a Tool to Improve Pronunciation: A Case of Al-Saadah Complex
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/lspi.v11.21285Keywords:
Bilingual, virtual toolkit, tongue twister, speaking skills, pronunciationAbstract
This study examined how well the Bilingual Virtual Toolkit (BVT) Let's Twist tool, used in an online Moodle learning environment, addressed pronunciation issues among English and Malay second language learners at Al-Saadah Complex. 18 students' pronunciation abilities were evaluated using a pre-test/post-test design; via qualitative action research utilizing pre-test and post-test. The findings showed that the provided pronunciation variations demonstrated a range of phonological errors and substitutions deemed common among second-language learners of English. Each variation reflected unique challenges influenced by the learners' native dialects and phonetic patterns. 15 of the participants had improved their pronunciation of challenging English sounds like [s] and [t]. Three pupils, however, persisted in having problems, which might be related to underlying speech impediments. The BVT Let's Twist program has shown potential as a useful instrument for enhancing pronunciation, highlighting the significance of incorporating interactive, learner-centered techniques into digital language learning platforms for second language learners.
References
Albertson, A. (2017). The perfect tongue twister to improve your English pronunciation. Verbling. American Psychiatric Association. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm.
Ayyat, A., & Al-Aufi, A. (2021). Enhancing the listening and speaking skills using interactive online tools in the HEIs context. International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, 4(2), 146–153. https://doi.org/10.32996/ijllt.2021.4.2.18.
Anak Yunus, C. C., & Hua, T. K. (2021). Exploring a gamified learning tool in the ESL classroom: The case of quizizz. Journal of Education and E-Learning Research, 8(1), 103–108. https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.509.2021.81.103.108.
Asiah Abdul Rahim, Zen, I., Samad, N. A. A., Rahim, C. R. C. & Badhrulhisham, A. (2014). Investigation on the accessibility in transportation hubs: Upgrades in London. 5th International Conference for Universal Design in Fukushima & Tokyo, 2014 11th–13th November 2014. Tokyo International Association for Universal Design (IAUD).
Bilingual Virtual Toolkit Let’s Twist. (2022). https://inovasibbm.blogspot.com.
Celce-Murcia et al. (1996). Teaching pronunciation: A Reference for teachers of English to speakers of other languages. Cambridge University Press.
Davis, C. (1999). Will the use of videos designed for the purpose of teaching English pronunciation improves the learners’ production of discrete sounds by at least 80% over a 12-week period? Action Research Monographs.Pennsylvania Action Research Network. A Section 353 Project of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Adult Basic and Literacy Education. ERIC Document [ED440 219].
Deterding, Sebastian. (2015). The lens of intrinsic skill atoms: A method for gameful design. Human-Computer Interaction, 30, 294–335. 10.1080/07370024.2014.993471.
Evers, K., & Chen, S. (2020). Effects of an automatic speech recognition system with peer feedback on pronunciation instruction for adults. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 35, 1869–1889. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2020.1839504.
Faridah Nazir et al. (2018). Bilingual virtual toolkit ‘let’s twist’. Proceeding for the International University Carnival for E-Learning (IUCEL). International Islamic University Malaysia. 12–13 September 2018.
Freynik, S., Richardson, D. L., Frank, V. M., Bowles, A. R., & Golonka, E. N. (2012). Technologies for foreign language learning: A review of technology types and their effectiveness. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 27, 70–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2012.700315.
Gilakjani, A. P. (2011). A study on the situation of pronunciation instruction in ESL/EFL classrooms. Journal of Studies in Education, 1(1), 1–15.
Hamzah, M. H., Ahmad, A., & Yusuf, M. H. (2017). A comparative study of pronunciation among Chinese learners of English from Malaysia and China: The case of voiceless dental fricatives /θ/ and Alveolar Liquids /r/. Sains Humanika, 9(4–2). https://doi.org/10.11113/sh.v9n4-2.1354.
Hinofotis, F & Baily, K. (1980). American undergraduate reaction to the communication skills of foreign teaching assistants, TESOL 80: Building Bridges: Research and Practice in TESL. Alexandria, V. A.
Kamarudin, N. I., & Kamal, M. A. A. (2021). Mispronunciation of English monophthong and diphthong among Malay native speakers. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(10), 814–822.
Kompleks Al-Saadah. (2022). http://www.alsaadah.net.
Ministry of Women. (2020). Family, and Community Development Through the Department of Social Welfare.
Pathak, V., Jena, B., & Kalra, S. (2013). Qualitative research. Perspectives in Clinical Research, 4(3), 192. Doi: 10.4103/2229-3485.115389.
Prošić-Santovac, D. (2009). The use of tongue twisters in EFL teaching. Annual Review of the Faculty of Philosophy. Novi Sad/, 34, 159–169.
Psychology Today. (2020). https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/ magazine/archive.
Rajadurai, J. (2006). Pronunciation issues in non-native contexts: A Malaysian case study. Malaysian Journal of ELT Research, 2, 42–59.
Rajadurai, J. (2007). Intelligible pronunciation: Focus on the proficient L2 speaker. The Journal of Asian TEFL, 4(1), 1–25.
Seidlhofer, B. (2001). Pronunciation. In Carter, R. & Nunan, D. (Eds.). The Cambridge Guide to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (pp. 56–65). Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Siew, F. (2022). Common pronunciation errors of Chinese-speaking students in Malaysia. Higher Education and Oriental Studies, 2(1).
Utami, V. (2020). EFL learner’s pronunciation problems: A phonological analysis. Jurnal Basis, 7(1), 171–184.
Yamaguchi, T. (2014). The pronunciation of TH in word-initial position in Malaysian English. English Today, 30, 13–21. Doi:10.1017/S0266078414000224
Zhang, Aihui, et al. (2015). The perception of English vowel contrasts by Chinese EFL learners and native English speakers. http://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/icphs-proceedings/ICPhS2015/Papers/ICPHS0651.pdf.
Zhu, T., Zhang, Y., & Irwin, D. (2023). Second and foreign language vocabulary learning through digital reading: A meta-analysis. Education and Information Technologies, 696. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-11969-1.