An Integrative Study of the Measurement of English Rhythm in Young EFL Learners and Contructing Model Curriculum of Teaching English Rhythm

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26370734
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: Kanda University of International Studies
• Principal Investigator: Kawai Hiromi 神田外語大学, 児童英語教育研究センター, 講師 (10716434)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 超分節音 / タッピング / 分節音 / チャンツ / 強音節

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated how EFL Japanese older children at the initial stage of L2 learning between the ages of 10 and 12 years old perceive and produce English sounds and rhythms aiming at constructing an appropriate method of teaching English sounds including English prosody. The validity of measurement method of English rhythm was fully examined. 200 5th and 6th graders at a public elementary school in Tokyo participated in this study. Their ability to perceive and produce English segments and rhythms was measured. The data was analyzed quantitatively based on the model for L1 children’s speech processing system proposed by Stackhouse and Wells (1997). English rhythm teaching method and materials were constructed after the researcher’s explicit sound instruction and a qualitative analysis of the participants’ awareness of English sounds. The findings in this study implicate great necessity of teacher training in teaching English sounds to older children.

Free Research Field

英語リズム