Training program development focusing on high-frequency sound enhancement: Behavior analysis on its effects for Japanese listeners of English

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23520752
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Foreign language education
• Research Institution: University of the Ryukyus
• Principal Investigator: TOYA Mitsuyo 琉球大学, 法文学部, 教授 (00295289)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MANABE KAZUCHIKA 日本大学, 大学院総合社会情報研究科, 教授 (80209676) ; ISHIZU KIYOKO 聖隷クリストファー大学, リハビリテーション学部, 准教授 (10446180)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: リスニング / 行動分析 / 高周波音声 / 奇跡の音 / トマティスメソッド / バイオリスニング / 多重ベースライン法 / フィルター音

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This attempt of developing an effective listening training included 3 experiments. [1] Minimal pair word discrimination showed a significant correlation with GTEC listening; however, they had no effect on the preference of 1500-5000Hz and 3000-5000Hz to the original. [2] Intervention with the less than 4000Hz reduction and 8000Hz peaked enhancement on TOEIC listening materials based on Miracle Sound Therapy showed no remarkable effect compared to the original in a multi-baseline investigation. [3] Based on the concept of Tomatis Method, a gradual frequency-filtering was applied to the listening materials only to find out no significant training effects. The overall results indicated that enhancement in a high frequency band was not any superior to the unmodified material as the ER-4S earphone provided listening input rich in high-frequency even for the original materials.

Free Research Field

英語教育・応用言語学