A Comparative Study of Listening Rate Preferences for Oral Reading and Impromptu Speaking Tasks

A paired comparison paradigm was employed to compare the listening rate preferences of 26 adult subjects for oral reading and impromptu speaking tasks. Recordings of a reading and speech were time-altered by means of a speech compressor to yield nine rates: 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300 wpm. Two master tapes were constructed, one for each of the two tasks investigated. The tapes were presented to each subject for listening rate preference judgments. Results of subjects' evaluations indicate that preferred listening rates are very similar for both oral reading and impromptu speaking tasks. The most preferred rate for both tasks was 175 wpm, and the least preferred rate for both tasks was 100 wpm. Comparison of the present findings with previous research and suggestions for future investigations are provided.