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Article published In:
Journal of Second Language Pronunciation
Vol. 7:2 (2021) ► pp.240–264

Speech language pathologists’ beliefs and knowledge-base for providing pronunciation instruction

A critical survey

ORCID logo | University of Alberta
| Brock University

A number of studies have investigated the degree to which language instructors are prepared to offer pronunciation instruction (PI), but little research has addressed the readiness of another group of professionals, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), who are increasingly offering pronunciation instruction under the term foreign accent modification (FAM). To address this gap, the study reported here investigates the extent to which SLPs who offer PI are equipped to do so. We surveyed 54 SLPs who offer PI in North America, focusing on their beliefs, and the extent to which they are able to critically evaluate a range of statements and materials obtained from pronunciation resources. Results indicated that while survey respondents may have transferrable knowledge with respect to the articulation of speech sounds, many of their beliefs and practices are not grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the field. We recommend that SLPs offering PI should first receive specialized training in this area.

Keywords: pronunciation instruction, speech language pathology, accent, ethics
Article outline
  • 1.Terminology
  • 2.Ongoing debate over who should provide PI
  • 3.A medical approach to PI
  • 4.PI research by SLPs
  • 5.Preparedness of SLPs to offer PI
  • 6.The current study
  • 7.Method
    • 7.1Instrument
    • 7.2Participants
  • 8.Results
    • 8.1Beliefs about qualifications and the efficacy of pronunciation instruction
    • 8.2Beliefs about accents and the goals of pronunciation instruction
    • 8.3Beliefs about the nature of English pronunciation
    • 8.4Beliefs about pedagogical principles in pronunciation instruction
    • 8.5Beliefs about specific strategies and instructional techniques in pronunciation instruction
  • 9.Discussion
    • 9.1Beliefs about preparedness of SLPs to provide PI
    • 9.2Beliefs about PI
  • 10.Future directions
  • 11.Limitations and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • References
Published online: 4 March 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/jslp.20031.foo
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