Part 1: Navigating Pronunciation Priorities with Japanese Learners
The teaching of pronunciation presents unique challenges in the classroom, with various aspects demanding attention. While it is widely recognised that teaching Japanese learners the distinction between English consonants /l/ and /r/ is crucial, the significance of this contrast in communication might not be readily apparent to everyone, especially when compared to other factors like stress placement or intonation. In this session, we will address the perennial question: what should be prioritised in teaching pronunciation, and what can wait?
Part 2: Maximizing AI for Pronunciation Improvement
AI is rapidly advancing, presenting ample opportunities for its integration into pronunciation teaching and learning. For example, AI-driven text-to-speech technology can efficiently generate listening materials without the need for costly voice artists. Additionally, learners can leverage voice recognition or speech-to-text to assess the quality of their pronunciation. This lecture will demonstrate how to effectively utilise these tools.
Yusuke Shibata is a Professor at Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University, and holds a Master of Arts in Phonetics from University College London and a Master of Education from Kochi University. With a keen interest in Phonetics and a specific focus on intelligibility, he has delved into various aspects of English pronunciation, ranging from segmental features to suprasegmental phenomena.
