Audio-psycho-phonology as an aim to improve the pronunciation of the English of Zulu speakers : an evaluation

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Audio-psycho-phonology (APP), a process of hearing stimulation by means of a devise called the Electronic Ear, as an aid to second language (L2) pronunciation training. The outcomes of APP and traditional pronunciation training on the vowel perception L 1 Zulu-speakers who use English as a business language were explored. This group was chosen because intelligible pronunciation is important in their designations. Perception of English vowels was isolated as a base for testing. Pre- and post testing of vowel perception indicates that APP did not have a significant impact as an aid to pronunciation training. A post hoc attitude assessment, conducted amongst the business community, yielded interesting results regarding the connection between pronunciation and language attitudes.