Segmental Priorities

What is it about?

In a longitudinal study of two groups of adult L2 speakers, we examined their production of certain segments over time. We found some similarities among L1 speakers but we found a great deal of individual variation as well. Much more than we had expected.

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Why is it important?

What is helpful about this study is the fact that it was longitudinal (data were collected over two years). . We conclude that a common curriculum for segments would not be of much use, and that pronunciation instruction at the level of segments should be individualized. Now that more attention is being paid to pronunciation in classrooms, the information in this study will be useful.