In our experience, language instructors are very interested in teaching pronunciation, as is obvious from the overflowing sessions on pronunciation at any professional conference such as TESOL. But teachers also confess that they do not know what is important to teach and how to teach it; nor do they know much about research findings that can inform practice (Foote, Holtby & Derwing, 2011; Huensch, 2019; Murphy, 2014). The issues explored in this volume are intended to address these teacher needs; they are relevant to a range of second languages and teaching contexts; but our primary goal is to address some of the concerns held by teachers who are uncomfortable introducing pronunciation into their classrooms.
This book brings together established and upcoming experts who specialize in the research and teaching of second language pronunciation. As a whole the chapters contribute to our vision for research-informed second language pronunciation teaching, bridging the gap between expanding second language (L2) pronunciation research agendas and the much more slowly changing field of L2 pronunciation teaching. The authors have written chapters that preservice and inservice teachers and researchers will find accessible, current, and practical. Several of the authors are working in different L2 contexts; this ensures that we have included complementary views of the teaching/researching connection.
Below we briefly introduce the other chapters in this volume and then we make the argument for the benefits of pronunciation instruction. We also cover some lesser-known activities that have been shown to be useful in enhancing learners’ speech, while at the same time engaging learners either through gamification or through genuine communication. Many other activities can be found throughout the individual chapters.
Chapter 2: Integrating pronunciation into language instruction (John M. Levis, Iowa State University and Andrea Echelberger, Literacy Minnesota)
Pronunciation theorists regularly call for integrating pronunciation into the second language classroom, both to ensure that it is actually taught and because of the assumption that pronunciation will be learned more effectively when it is integrated. This topic explores the extent to which integrating pronunciation is an effective approach to long-term improvement.
Chapter 3: Perception in pronunciation training (Ron Thomson, Brock University)
Pronunciation training is dominated by production despite convincing evidence that short-term and long-term improvement is dependent on being able to identify and interpret L2 segmental and suprasegmental contrasts. This chapter explains why perception training should be more central to pronunciation instruction.
Chapter 4: Making the teaching of segmentals purposeful (Joshua Gordon, University of Northern Iowa)
Although segments form the basis of much pronunciation teaching, classroom materials suggest that many instructors still take a scatter-gun approach, rather than being guided by empirical evidence, such as the Functional Load Principle. The how-to for segments is readily available in many resources, but the what and the why are lacking. This chapter brings them together.
Chapter 5: Making the teaching of suprasegmentals accessible (Mary Grantham O’Brien, University of Calgary)
Teachers regularly report that suprasegmentals are hard to teach. They are hard for teachers to understand, hard to hear, and hard to explain. Innovations in the teaching of pronunciation require that description of suprasegmentals be accessible to teachers first of all, and that, second, activities and approaches to teaching be developed that make learning of suprasegmentals accessible to L2 learners. This chapter addresses these two issues.
Chapter 6: Classroom research for pronunciation (Veronica Sardegna, Duquesne University and Alison McGregor, Princeton University)
Understanding why some approaches to pronunciation teaching are more or less effective requires that we understand the constraints of classroom instruction for student learning at different levels of proficiency, for different ages, and for different learning goals. This chapter examines how variables of classroom instruction (teachers, learners, features, teaching techniques) can be studied.
Chapter 7: Using technology to explore L2 pronunciation (Dorothy Chun, UC Santa Barbara and Yan Jiang, Shanghai Jiao Tong University)
Pronunciation learning and teaching should be based, at least partially, on authentic language use, both in the types of production typical of L2 learners and in the models that learners are provided. This topic explores the promise of technology for L2 pronunciation teaching and learning, including issues related to materials development, learning and teaching priorities, and the ways that pronunciation functions in authentic speech.
Chapter 8: Beyond controlled, guided, and free practice: Teaching pronunciation effectively via a coaching model (Donna Brinton, Educational consultant, Michael Burri, University of Wollongong & Amanda A. Baker, University of Wollongong)
The authors present a holistic view of effective pronunciation, taking into account the knowledge base of practitioners (Baker & Murphy, 2011) and the need to attend to additional (i.e., learner and/or learning-specific) variables when designing effective practice. Unique to this re-definition is the application of a coaching approach to pronunciation teaching (Baker, 2021), adapted from work in the field of psychology (Kauffman, 2010); this approach considers the additional situational, cultural, and linguistic variables critical to effective delivery.
Chapter 9: Effective feedback for pronunciation learning (Graeme Couper, Auckland University of Technology)
L2 pronunciation learning, whether face-to-face or online, requires feedback on the success of perception and production. Such feedback needs to address both form and function of the errors, and it needs to be understandable to the L2 learners. It should also be delivered in the most effective manner so that L2 learners are most likely to improve. This topic addresses best practices in providing feedback on L2 pronunciation.
Chapter 10: Pronunciation assessment in classroom contexts (Daniel Isbell, University of Hawaii & Mari Sakai, Georgetown University)
The future of pronunciation teaching is closely connected to the role of pronunciation in spoken language assessment. This chapter looks at how classroom and high-stakes pronunciation assessment can inform classroom practice and materials development.
Chapter 11: Pronunciation in varied teaching and learning contexts (Mark Tanner and Lynn Henrichsen, Brigham Young University)
The authors examine how pronunciation teaching and learning can be flexibly adjusted to different teaching contexts in which constraints of time, expertise, curricula, and confidence make the teaching of pronunciation more challenging. Included in the chapter are discussions of priorities, outside practice, classroom and self-assessment, how listeners hear accented speech, and ultimate achievement.
Chapter 12: Pronunciation teaching in EFL K-12 settings (Elina Tergujeff, University of Jyväskylä)
In immigrant-receiving countries, pronunciation problems among L2 learners in K-...
