THE ROLE OF PRONUNCIATION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING
Keywords:
pronunciation, intelligibility, communicative competence, phonetics, suprasegmental features, stress, intonation, language learning, speaking skills, English language teachingAbstract
Pronunciation is a critical component of English language learning, significantly affecting learners’ communicative competence and intelligibility. This paper investigates the importance of pronunciation in the development of speaking and listening skills, emphasizing its role in effective interaction in real-life contexts. It examines segmental features (vowels and consonants) and suprasegmental features (stress, rhythm, and intonation) and their contribution to conveying meaning. The study also discusses common challenges faced by learners, such as first-language interference, limited exposure to authentic input, and lack of systematic instruction. Additionally, contemporary teaching strategies and technological tools designed to improve pronunciation are explored. The findings suggest that targeted, communicative, and context-based pronunciation instruction enhances learners’ fluency, confidence, and overall English proficiency.
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