The Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Pronunciation Training

The IBM SpeechViewer was used in tutorial sessions within a program of training for international teaching assistants (ITAs) to examine the value of computer-based displays of speech in the teaching of pronunciation. ITAs' improvement from pre-test to post-test was not significantly greater than that shown by a control group who did not use SpeechViewer; possible explanations for lack of significance are discussed. By contrast, subjective evaluations from both ITAs and instructors indicated great enthusiasm for SpeechViewer and point to its value as a motivating tool.