Browsing by Author "Caisaguano Tigasi, Graciela Adriana"

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    “English pronunciation errors in english major students”
    (Ecuador : Pujilí : Universidad Técnica de Cotopaxi (UTC), 2024-08) Caisaguano Tigasi, Graciela Adriana; Abata Checa, Fanny Mercedes
    Pronunciation is an essential element in English language learning as it significantly impacts the communication process. This significance becomes more crucial when messages are conveyed by reading aloud, requiring clear and accurate production of sounds to ensure that spoken words are understandable. However, pronunciation errors might be inevitable among beginner students. The objective of this study was to analyse common pronunciation errors made by the first-semester class “A” students at the Technical University of Cotopaxi from April 2024 to August 2024. A mixed-method approach was employed in this research, and a non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used to select the participants, 24 students participated in a reading-aloud test taken from Cambridge level A1, the text was called “Kim's Picture,” the students read aloud and recorded it, their recordings were analyzed using a pronunciation rubric and Error Analysis method. The results indicated that the most common errors involved short, long, and diphthong vowel sounds /e/, /ʌ/, /ɪ/, /ə/, /ɑː/, /aʊ/, as well as consonant sounds characterized by their manner of articulation, such as fricative, plosive and approximant consonant sounds /s/, /t/, /l/. The causes of these errors were namely due to the mother tongue interference and overgeneralization, while ignorance of rule restriction and false concepts hypothesized played a minor role. These findings emphasize the need for targeted practice to address pronunciation errors. Thus, this study concludes that understanding and addressing these pronunciation issues early can significantly enhance students' pronunciation skills and overall language proficiency, preparing them to become effective English teachers.