In this study, we developed a pronunciation teaching material website that can be operated from a PC or a smartphone. The site targets words and expressions studied in class. It can be used in the classroom, but learners can also self-practice pronunciation anywhere. The English audio was created using a free, high-quality speech synthesis site. We selected each word or expression from a textbook in each class and showed spelling, phonetic symbols, Japanese translations, and a playback button for sample audio. Words and phrases are in order according to the progress of the textbook. We added a search function to enable pinpoint search. Students used this pronunciation site last semester (Fall, 2023) and answered a questionnaire at the end of the semester. The results were highly encouraging, with 76 out of 80 students (95%) finding it easy to use and 73 out of 80 expressing enjoyment in studying pronunciation. Moreover, 73 out of 80 respondents (91%) reported that it can be a tool for learning pronunciation. The free-response section was filled with many positive comments and valuable feedback, further validating the website's effectiveness.

Authors:
Akemi Ishii, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Akemi Ishii is a professor in the Engineering Department at Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

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