Exploring ESL learner accent preferences: a longitudinal study

This longitudinal study explored English as a Second Language (ESL) learners’ perceptions of different English accents, as well as their preferences and perceptions of their own L2 English accents. Using data collected via in-depth interviews with four undergraduate ESL students about their L2 communication experiences, the data reveals that participants’ accent preferences and perceptions of different English accents are highly complex and dynamic. In terms of perceptions of different English accents, participants demonstrated noticing of different English accents and noticing of how English accents play a role in English as a lingua franca communication. Furthermore, participants’ concerns about achieving target-like pronunciation versus intelligibility as a model in L2 communication were found to be among the main pragmatic considerations in their own L2 accent preferences. The findings demonstrate how ESL learners’ noticing of different English accents and of their own L2 accent preferences could have important implications for pronunciation instruction in ELT.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Teaching of English Sec Lang

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2020

Author dc:creator

• Veitch, Hillary Rose

Contributors dc:contributor

• Franks, Suzanne
• Kang, Hyun-Sook

• English language teaching
• pronunciation
• learner preferences
• learner perceptions
• accent
• English as a lingua franca
• native speaker norms

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2020 Hillary Veitch

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/107913

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/107913