Selective auditory attention and speech-in-noise perception in English second language learners
type: CreativeWork
description: Abstract Background: Selective auditory attention and speech-in-noise perception are key skills required by school-aged children for the development of academic skills that will ensure overall learning success in a school context. These skills are indispensable for English second language (ESL) learners to achieve successful academic learning, as their learning takes place through an additional language. Second language acquisition is influenced by several factors pertaining to auditory processing skills, such as age of onset of acquisition and age of exposure to an additional language. As yet no studies have investigated the selective auditory attention abilities and speech-in-noise perception of young ESL learners in a multilingual country such as South Africa. Aim: To determine the selective auditory attention abilities and speech-in-noise perception of seven-to-eight-year-old ESL learners in a multilingual country and compare their results to those of English first language (EFL) learners of the same age. Method: A quantitative, descriptive, comparative cross-sectional research design was used to determine the selective auditory attention abilities and speech-in-noise perception skills of 40 children with normal hearing in first or second grade (aged seven-to-eight-years). The control group comprised 20 EFL learners (mean age 7.35 years ± 0.49) and the research group included 20 second language learners (mean age 7.70 years ± 0.47). The researcher also compared the control and research groups with regard to the age of exposure to English through various sources. The Mann Whitney test was used for this comparison. Information regarding the age of exposure was gathered by means of a case history questionnaire which was completed by the parents/guardians of the participants. The Selective Auditory Attention Test (SAAT) and Digits-in-Noise (DIN) test were performed in one sitting. Results: No statistically significant differences between the EFL and ESL groups were …
abstract: Abstract Background: Selective auditory attention and speech-in-noise perception are key skills required by school-aged children for the development of academic skills that will ensure overall learning success in a school context. These skills are indispensable for English second language (ESL) learners to achieve successful academic learning, as their learning takes place through an additional language. Second language acquisition is influenced by several factors pertaining to auditory processing skills, such as age of onset of acquisition and age of exposure to an additional language. As yet no studies have investigated the selective auditory attention abilities and speech-in-noise perception of young ESL learners in a multilingual country such as South Africa. Aim: To determine the selective auditory attention abilities and speech-in-noise perception of seven-to-eight-year-old ESL learners in a multilingual country and compare their results to those of English first language (EFL) learners of the same age. Method: A quantitative, descriptive, comparative cross-sectional research design was used to determine the selective auditory attention abilities and speech-in-noise perception skills of 40 children with normal hearing in first or second grade (aged seven-to-eight-years). The control group comprised 20 EFL learners (mean age 7.35 years ± 0.49) and the research group included 20 second language learners (mean age 7.70 years ± 0.47). The researcher also compared the control and research groups with regard to the age of exposure to English through various sources. The Mann Whitney test was used for this comparison. Information regarding the age of exposure was gathered by means of a case history questionnaire which was completed by the parents/guardians of the participants. The Selective Auditory Attention Test (SAAT) and Digits-in-Noise (DIN) test were performed in one sitting. Results: No statistically significant differences between the EFL and ESL groups were …
language: en
keywords: UCTD, Selective auditory attention, Speech-in-noise perception, Language experience, Multilingual country
date published: 2021
date modified: 2026-07-24T03:52:42Z
provider: University of Pretoria
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Pretoria

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/83867