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Year 2013, Volume: 28 Issue: 28-1, 27 - 40, 01.06.2013

Abstract

This study aims to investigate and promote pre-service English language teachers’ competence in basic elements of spoken communication. In the study a group of 64 non-native pre-service teachers of English in the Oral Communication Skills course in a pre-service English Language Teaching department at the tertiary level in Turkey specifically practised the segmental and prosodic features of English, connected speech, and spoken language conventions through a number of spoken communication activities and tasks. With the purpose of evaluating participants’ English pronunciation prior to the course and also after the course, a student questionnaire was administered and focused on students’ self-assessment in word pronunciation, word stress, sentence stress, accuracy, intonation, word linking, assimilation, elision, and contraction before and after the course as well as the effect of course activities. The data findings indicated poor or average competence in various components of spoken communication prior to the study; whereas, the participants reported significant improvement in all these components as they improved basic components of spoken communication through various interactive course activities.

References

  • Alptekin, C. (2002). Towards intercultural communicative competence in ELT. ELT Journal, 56 (1), 57-64.
  • Alptekin, C. (2010). Redefining multicompetence for bilingualism and ELF. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 20 (1), 95-110.
  • Basturkmen, H. (2001). Descriptions of spoken language for higher level learners. ELT Journal, 55 (1), 4-12.
  • Bayraktaroğlu, S. (2008) Orthographic interference and the teaching of British pronunciation to Turkish learners, Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 4 (2), 1-36.
  • Brown, H. D. (2001) Teaching by principles. An interactive approach to language pedagogy. New York: Longman.
  • Bygate, M. (1987) Speaking. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Celik, M. (2001) Teaching English intonation to EFL/ESL students. The Internet TESL Journal, VII (12), Retrieved July 6, 2010, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Celik-Intonation.html
  • Celik, M. (2008). A description of Turkish-English phonology for teaching English in Turkey. Journal of Theory and Practice in Education, 4 (1), 159-174. Retrieved December 8, 2010, from http://eku.comu.edu.tr/index/4/1/mcelik.pdf Chaudron, C. (1988). Second language classrooms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Coskun, A. (2010) Whose English should we teach? Reflections from Turkey. ESP World, 1 (27), 1-20. Retrieved December 20, 2010, from http://www.esp-world.info
  • Dalton, D. V. (1997) Some techniques for teaching pronunciation. The Internet TESL Journal, 3 (1). Retrieved December 8, 2010, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Dalton-Pronunciation.html
  • Demirezen, M. (2005) The /o/ and /ow/ contrast: curing a fossilized pronunciation error of Turkish teacher trainees of the English language. Çankaya University Journal of Arts and Sciences, 3, 71-84.
  • Demirezen, M. (2009) An analysis of the problem-causing elements of intonation for Turkish teachers of English. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1, 2776–2781.
  • Derwing, T.M., Thomson, R. I. & Munro, M.J. (2006) English pronunciation and fluency development in Mandarin and Slavic Speakers. System, 34, 183–193.
  • Derwing, T. M., & Rossiter, M. J. (2003). The effects of pronunciation instruction on the accuracy, fluency, and complexity of L2 accented speech. Applied Language Learning, 13, 1-17.
  • Dobson, J. M. (1987) Effective techniques for English conversation groups. Washington, D. C.: United Sates Information Agency.
  • Elliott, A. R. (1997) On the teaching and acquisition of pronunciation within a communicative approach. Hispania, 80 (1), 95-10
  • Farrell, T. S. C. & Martin, S (2009) To teach standard English or world Englishes? A balanced approach to instruction. English Teaching Forum, 47 (2), 1-5.
  • Fromkin, V., Rodman, R. & Hyams, N. (2007) An introduction to language. Eighth Edition. United States: Thomson.
  • Harmer, J. (2001) The practice of English language teaching. Essex: Longman.
  • Jenkins, J. (1998) Which pronunciation norms and models for English as an international language? ELT Journal, 52 (2), 119-1
  • Jenkins, J. (2002) A sociolinguistically-based, empirically-researched pronunciation syllabus for English as an international language. Applied Linguistics, 23 (1), 83–103.
  • Jenkins, J. (2004) Research in teaching pronunciation and intonation. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24, 109-125.
  • Kachru, B. B. (1990). World Englishes and applied linguistics. World Englishes, 9 (1), 3-20.
  • Laborda, J.G. (2007) Language teaching research (Book review: Keith S. Folse, 2006: The art of teaching speaking). Retrieved April 10, 2009, from http://ltr.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/4/503
  • Luoma, S. (2004) Assessing speaking. Cambridge: Cambridge University press.
  • Matsuda, A. (2003). Incorporating world Englishes in teaching English as an international language. TESOL Quarterly, 37 (4), 719-729.
  • Medgyes, P. (1992). Native or non-native: who's worth more? ELT Journal, 46 (4), 340-349.
  • Munro, M. J. & Derwing, T. M. (2006) The functional load principle in ESL pronunciation instruction: An exploratory study. System, 34, 520–531.
  • Murphy, J. M. (1991) Oral communication in TESOL: Integrating speaking, listening, and pronunciation. TESOL Quarterly, 25 (1), 51-75.
  • Morley, J. (1991) The pronunciation component in teaching English to speakers of other languages. TESOL Quarterly, 25 (3), 481-520.
  • Ohata, K. (2004) Phonological differences between Japanese and English: Several potentially problematic areas of pronunciation for Japanese ESL/EFL learners. Asian EFL Journal, 6 (4). Retrieved December 8, 2010, from http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/december_04_KO.php
  • Otlowski, M. (1998) Pronunciation: what are the expectations? The Internet TESL Journal, IV (1), Retrieved November 1, 2010, from http://iteslj.org/http://iteslj.org/Articles/Otlowski- Pronunciation.html
  • Prodromou, L. (2007) Is ELF a variety of English? English Today, 23, 47-53. doi:10.1017/S0266078407002088.
  • Richards, J. (2009) Teaching speaking theories and methodologies. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http://www.fltrp.com/DOWNLOAD/0804010001.pdf
  • Robertson, P. (2003) Teaching English pronunciation skills to the Asian learner. A cultural complexity or subsumed piece of cake? Asian EFL Journal, Retrieved November 1, 2010, from http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/june2003_pr.pdf
  • Seferoğlu, G. (2005) Improving students’ pronunciation through accent reduction software. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36 (2), 303–316.
  • Ur, P. (1996) A course in language teaching. Practice and theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Vaughan-Rees, M. (2002) Test your pronunciation. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.

An Investigation of Prospective English Language Teachers' Spoken Communication Skills: A Case From Turkey

Year 2013, Volume: 28 Issue: 28-1, 27 - 40, 01.06.2013

Abstract

Bu çalışma lisans düzeyi İngilizce öğretmen adaylarının İngilizce sözlü iletişimi oluşturan temel unsurlardaki yeterlilik düzeylerini incelemeyi ve geliştirmeyi hedeflemektedir. Çalışmada Sözel İletişim Becerileri dersinde anadili İngilizce olmayan İngiliz Dili Eğitimi bölümü 64 lisans düzeyi İngilizce öğretmen adayı ile sözlü iletişimin temel unsurlarını oluşturan İngilizcenin ses özellikleri, bürünsel unsurları, birleşik konuşma özellikleri ve konuşma dilinin temel özellikleri konularında iletişimsel dil etkinlikleri ile uygulama yapılmıştır. Bu katılımcıların uygulama öncesi ve sonrası sözlü iletişimi oluşturan bu unsurlardaki gelişimleri bir anket yardımıyla ölçülmüştür. Ankette katılımcıların kelime telaffuzu, kelime vurgusu, cümlede vurgu, doğru kullanım, tonlama, kelimede birleştirme, ulama, çıkarma ve kısaltma gibi unsurlarda kendilerini değerlendirmeleri istenmiştir. Çalışma bulguları, katılımcıların bu unsurları uygulama öncesi genelde zayıf ya da orta olarak gösterirken, çalışma sonrası uygulama kapsamında yapılan iletişimsel etkinler ile aynı unsurlarda öğretmen adaylarının belirgin bir gelişme içerisinde olduğunu göstermiştir.

References

  • Alptekin, C. (2002). Towards intercultural communicative competence in ELT. ELT Journal, 56 (1), 57-64.
  • Alptekin, C. (2010). Redefining multicompetence for bilingualism and ELF. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 20 (1), 95-110.
  • Basturkmen, H. (2001). Descriptions of spoken language for higher level learners. ELT Journal, 55 (1), 4-12.
  • Bayraktaroğlu, S. (2008) Orthographic interference and the teaching of British pronunciation to Turkish learners, Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 4 (2), 1-36.
  • Brown, H. D. (2001) Teaching by principles. An interactive approach to language pedagogy. New York: Longman.
  • Bygate, M. (1987) Speaking. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Celik, M. (2001) Teaching English intonation to EFL/ESL students. The Internet TESL Journal, VII (12), Retrieved July 6, 2010, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Celik-Intonation.html
  • Celik, M. (2008). A description of Turkish-English phonology for teaching English in Turkey. Journal of Theory and Practice in Education, 4 (1), 159-174. Retrieved December 8, 2010, from http://eku.comu.edu.tr/index/4/1/mcelik.pdf Chaudron, C. (1988). Second language classrooms. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Coskun, A. (2010) Whose English should we teach? Reflections from Turkey. ESP World, 1 (27), 1-20. Retrieved December 20, 2010, from http://www.esp-world.info
  • Dalton, D. V. (1997) Some techniques for teaching pronunciation. The Internet TESL Journal, 3 (1). Retrieved December 8, 2010, from http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Dalton-Pronunciation.html
  • Demirezen, M. (2005) The /o/ and /ow/ contrast: curing a fossilized pronunciation error of Turkish teacher trainees of the English language. Çankaya University Journal of Arts and Sciences, 3, 71-84.
  • Demirezen, M. (2009) An analysis of the problem-causing elements of intonation for Turkish teachers of English. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1, 2776–2781.
  • Derwing, T.M., Thomson, R. I. & Munro, M.J. (2006) English pronunciation and fluency development in Mandarin and Slavic Speakers. System, 34, 183–193.
  • Derwing, T. M., & Rossiter, M. J. (2003). The effects of pronunciation instruction on the accuracy, fluency, and complexity of L2 accented speech. Applied Language Learning, 13, 1-17.
  • Dobson, J. M. (1987) Effective techniques for English conversation groups. Washington, D. C.: United Sates Information Agency.
  • Elliott, A. R. (1997) On the teaching and acquisition of pronunciation within a communicative approach. Hispania, 80 (1), 95-10
  • Farrell, T. S. C. & Martin, S (2009) To teach standard English or world Englishes? A balanced approach to instruction. English Teaching Forum, 47 (2), 1-5.
  • Fromkin, V., Rodman, R. & Hyams, N. (2007) An introduction to language. Eighth Edition. United States: Thomson.
  • Harmer, J. (2001) The practice of English language teaching. Essex: Longman.
  • Jenkins, J. (1998) Which pronunciation norms and models for English as an international language? ELT Journal, 52 (2), 119-1
  • Jenkins, J. (2002) A sociolinguistically-based, empirically-researched pronunciation syllabus for English as an international language. Applied Linguistics, 23 (1), 83–103.
  • Jenkins, J. (2004) Research in teaching pronunciation and intonation. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24, 109-125.
  • Kachru, B. B. (1990). World Englishes and applied linguistics. World Englishes, 9 (1), 3-20.
  • Laborda, J.G. (2007) Language teaching research (Book review: Keith S. Folse, 2006: The art of teaching speaking). Retrieved April 10, 2009, from http://ltr.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/4/503
  • Luoma, S. (2004) Assessing speaking. Cambridge: Cambridge University press.
  • Matsuda, A. (2003). Incorporating world Englishes in teaching English as an international language. TESOL Quarterly, 37 (4), 719-729.
  • Medgyes, P. (1992). Native or non-native: who's worth more? ELT Journal, 46 (4), 340-349.
  • Munro, M. J. & Derwing, T. M. (2006) The functional load principle in ESL pronunciation instruction: An exploratory study. System, 34, 520–531.
  • Murphy, J. M. (1991) Oral communication in TESOL: Integrating speaking, listening, and pronunciation. TESOL Quarterly, 25 (1), 51-75.
  • Morley, J. (1991) The pronunciation component in teaching English to speakers of other languages. TESOL Quarterly, 25 (3), 481-520.
  • Ohata, K. (2004) Phonological differences between Japanese and English: Several potentially problematic areas of pronunciation for Japanese ESL/EFL learners. Asian EFL Journal, 6 (4). Retrieved December 8, 2010, from http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/december_04_KO.php
  • Otlowski, M. (1998) Pronunciation: what are the expectations? The Internet TESL Journal, IV (1), Retrieved November 1, 2010, from http://iteslj.org/http://iteslj.org/Articles/Otlowski- Pronunciation.html
  • Prodromou, L. (2007) Is ELF a variety of English? English Today, 23, 47-53. doi:10.1017/S0266078407002088.
  • Richards, J. (2009) Teaching speaking theories and methodologies. Retrieved October 23, 2010, from http://www.fltrp.com/DOWNLOAD/0804010001.pdf
  • Robertson, P. (2003) Teaching English pronunciation skills to the Asian learner. A cultural complexity or subsumed piece of cake? Asian EFL Journal, Retrieved November 1, 2010, from http://www.asian-efl-journal.com/june2003_pr.pdf
  • Seferoğlu, G. (2005) Improving students’ pronunciation through accent reduction software. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36 (2), 303–316.
  • Ur, P. (1996) A course in language teaching. Practice and theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  • Vaughan-Rees, M. (2002) Test your pronunciation. Essex: Pearson Education Limited.
There are 38 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Journal Section Makaleler
Authors

Recep Şahin Arslan This is me

Publication Date June 1, 2013
Published in Issue Year 2013 Volume: 28 Issue: 28-1

Cite

APA Arslan, R. Ş. (2013). An Investigation of Prospective English Language Teachers' Spoken Communication Skills: A Case From Turkey. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 28(28-1), 27-40.