How to improve students' pronunciation skills?

Context: In a primary school in Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand, Grade 4 to 6 students (10-12 years old) faced difficulties in pronouncing the letters of the English alphabet correctly. Aims: The study aimed to improve students' pronunciation of English letters/sounds, focusing on overcoming interference from their mother tongue and the complexities of the English spelling system. Methods: The teacher employed focus group discussions, classroom observations, and a reflective journal to evaluate the effectiveness of pronunciation teaching strategies, including minimal pairs and final consonants practice. Findings: The interventions led to significant improvements in students' ability to accurately match letters of the alphabet with their corresponding sounds, with two-thirds of the class showing progress. Almost all students reported increased satisfaction and confidence in their pronunciation skills. Implications: Systematic pronunciation instruction, incorporating warm-up activities, flashcards with minimal pairs, and explicit teaching on the use of lips, mouth, and breathing for pronunciation, can enhance learners' pronunciation skills and confidence.

Keywords (free text)

english as a foreign language, speaking, pronounciation, exploratory action research

Permanent link to cite this item

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14069/707

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Exploratory Action Research in Thai Schools