Using shadowing with mobile technology to improve L2 pronunciation

Abstract

Shadowing has been demonstrated to improve various aspects of second language learners’ pronunciation but few studies have investigated whether these changes impact untrained listeners’ perceptions. In the present study, sixteen participants used iPods to practice shadowing short dialogues for eight weeks. The participants practiced at least four times per week for a minimum of 10 minutes each time, and recorded themselves while shadowing. Two tasks (a shadowing task and an extemporaneous speaking task) were administered as pre-, mid-, and post-tests, and were rated by 22 speakers of English. The shadowing task was rated for learners’ ability to imitate a speech model and the extemporaneous speaking task was rated for comprehensibility, accentedness, and fluency. Interview data were also collected during the study to gauge participants’ opinions of the activities. Results indicated that the participants improved significantly on all speaking measures apart from accentedness and were largely positive about the activities.